Page 113 - EMCAPP-Journal No. 7

Challenges for Christian Psychology

The letter of request for participation in the stu- be thinkingly in prayer”, “thoughtful ... mindful
dy was as follows: prayer”, “using our minds to be open to God”,
“I would like to discover the experience and “taking time to let an image of God or from
effect of contemplative prayer on those from a the Scripture quietly sink into one’s being wi-
more evangelical tradition, who may or may not thout clothing it with petitions or ‘noise’.” One
have had teaching or exposure to it in their faith person apologized dejectedly for her self-per-
background. I am interested in their experi- ceived inability to express in words her limited
ence, particularly how they came into learning experience with contemplative prayer, yet sent
about contemplative tradition, and the use they a photo that perhaps captures much of it: the
make of it. My intent is to use what I learn from background was a view across and into a spec-
your responses to more adequately inform me tacular and vast mountain range bounded by
of ways to bring the practice of contemplative the horizon and an open sky; the foreground
prayer to those who may not be familiar with carried a small sign saying, “DON’T READ.
it or who might resist the practice or meaning DON’T TALK. NO PHOTOS. JUST LOOK ...
of it. AND SEE.”
I am looking for your honest responses, reco- A focus on “quiet listening” was evident, “liste-
gnizing that each of us have our own intimate ning rather than asking”, “seeking God (in) in-
connection with God, and have differing un- tentional listening”, “listening for Him to speak
derstanding and experiences with contemplati- to your heart”, and “being open to hear His
ve practice. I will value the range of responses voice.” Important was the stance of “stillness
and have no preconceived notions of what or before God ... resting in His presence”, “silence”,
how I would like you to respond. Your honest “focusing on God”, in bringing “deep awareness
and personal responses in any form will be hel- of God, Son, and Holy Spirit.”
pful to me. I have deliberately chosen a variety There appeared to be a perception of the tenta-
of people to respond to this, in order to gather tive nature of God’s response: “waiting patiently
as many different experiences as I can. If you are in case God himself might wish to let one be-
willing to engage with me in this way, these are come aware of a thought from Him”, “to listen
my questions.” in the hope of experiencing a time of intimacy
The open-ended and non-presumptive questi- with the Creator.” A sense conveyed of a desire
ons presented, illustrative responses given, and for connection but an uncertainty in the likeli-
interpretation of these responses follow. Ob- hood of this outcome; perhaps a sense that the-
viously, my own spiritual experiences and un- re was to be an expected outcome rather than
derstandings will influence the interpretation I a time of ‘just’ being in the presence of God, of
have placed on these responses. bringing their presence into his Presence.
Notable was the primary focus of the offe-
Contemplative Survey: red definitions on thinking and the use of the
Questions and Responses mind, that for most, contemplative prayer in-
volved some form of thinking rather than not
1. What is your definition of contemplative thinking, on “intentional prayer” rather than on
prayer, or, what is your understanding of it? reciprocal or ‘receptive prayer’. Only one used
the words of “‘relational’ prayer”, one mentio-
Although aware that there were potentially ned “heart prayer” while offering no definition
many definitions that could be ‘googled’, nearly of it, and another “listening for Him to speak
all the respondents stated their difficulty or un- to your heart.” Is this focus perhaps a function
certainty in personally defining contemplative of the emphasis in our tradition on intellectual
prayer. Most offered a description rather than a understanding, is it a lack of awareness or expe-
definition including “contemplative prayer is a rience with prayer from the heart, a fear of ‘fee-
thinking person’s first choice in prayer”, “is not lings’ versus ‘knowledge’, an embedded sense of
petitionary, praise-filled or to serve a utilitarian the mind rather than the heart carrying Truth?
purpose ... it has no goal other that itself ... to Does this point to the distinction between kno-

112