Praying the Contemplative Way
We must expect contemplative activity to show itself in different ways and take many different names since its character will be governed by individual temperament. Evelyn Underhill: Mysticism (page 222)
Spiritual growth is unique to each one of us and cannot be compared to or measured alongside another’s growth. God is not looking for conformity but a special, one-of-a-kind relationship with each individual. Judith Lawrence: Highway of Holiness: Soul Journey (page 17)
So, then, when we pray the contemplative way, the resulting experience will be different for each one of us. The way in which we seek God and find the Sacred One in the course of contemplative prayer will be unique to each one of us. Each individual sits or kneels, stands or walks in God’s presence, lovingly looks at God, and finds what God would show of grace to that praying person.
There can be no revelation to another of God’s showing to the praying individual; there can be no discussion of what God reveals of grace to one person with another, for this could lead to competition or jealousy between praying people.
God reveals himself to each individual in a unique way and that is God’s gift to us. It is with great joy and thanksgiving that we receive this gift from God and give back to God our love and praise.
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Judith Lawrence
Judith is a Professional member of The Word Guild and author of two non-fiction books, Prayer Companion: A Treasury of Personal Meditation, and Glorious Autumn Days: Meditations for the Wisdom Years, as well as one book of mystical poetry, Grapes from the Vine. Judith writes a monthly meditation, which can be found on her website: www.judithlawrence.ca. Judith’s latest spiritual book, Highway of Holiness: Soul Journey is now available. You can purchase it through Wipf and Stock Publishers.
