Page 118 - EMCAPP-Journal No. 7

Challenges for Christian Psychology

association of contemplative practices with the exploration of contemplative prayer and at-
“eastern meditative and/or Catholic practices”, tempting to discover evangelical attitudes to it,
thus needing to be avoided; more specifically, for giving a forum to express one’s self, gratitude
contemplative practices involving an “emptying for being included in the study despite a lack of
of the mind” and therefore a risky undertaking, knowledge and limited responses, and a desire
perhaps open to infiltration from spirits other to know the outcome of the study. The perso-
than the Spirit of God; a view that it is a prac- nal encouragement brought a sense of the Spi-
tice “from the past” therefore no longer current rit opening hearts for prayer, and affirmed my
or necessary; a view of contemplative prayer as desire to bring Spirit-led contemplative prayer
a “polarizing stance” in the evangelical church, into greater awareness and acceptance within
between those who believe it is “a valid and the evangelical community to which I belong.
necessary expression and those who think it
is some kind of heinous practice connected to Contemplative Practice: Considerations
eastern philosophy.” A few commented on the Reflecting on the responses given in the survey,
limited “awareness” or education of contem- the following considerations for engaging in
plative practices, let alone any prayer practices, contemplative practices seemed most compel-
within the evangelical church community; and ling:
one suggested the lack of freedom for pastors to
facilitate contemplative prayer practices because 1. Asking the question “what is prayer?” As-
“the pastor’s salary is tied to the congregation’s king in order to expand the understanding
wants.” Underlying these objections seemed a and experience of prayer - prayer as a worded
sadness, a cynicism, a confusion, a perplexity connection with God, prayer as a growing and
and a cautiousness. constant attentiveness to the God who is pre-
Clearly these views point to the need to appro- sent to us in each moment, prayer as a deepe-
priate contemplative prayer for the evangelical ning awareness of the God who is in all things.
church by unearthing the scriptural basis and Providing teaching and practices of prayer in
early Christian tradition of contemplative pray- all its breadth and forms - vocal, spontaneous,
er, and expanding the source from one percei- written, liturgical, traditional, contemplative
ved to arise only from Catholic or other faith - as a means of enriching and strengthening
traditions. It is important to invite dialogue into our prayer life. Honoring the intent to develop
misgivings and misperceptions about contem- a more wholistic prayer life including worded
plative practices and to counter these gently and prayer in all its valuable forms (adoration, pe-
respectfully with informed insights. Essential, tition, confession, intercession, thanksgiving)
too, is to understand rather than scorn these and meaningful wordless prayer of stillness and
honest fears and cautions, which arise in the silence and being in the Living Presence. One
context of a genuine seeking for God. can often lead into the other, and together the-
se practices would yield a wholeness in prayer
8. Any additional comments or thoughts not life that mined the best of both evangelical and
covered by the questions? contemplative prayer practices.

Written responses to this question were mini- 2. Teaching about contemplative prayer and
mal but included: the “importance of the sur- providing settings for experiences of it, within
vey”, the acknowledgement that many do find both personal and communal life, is essential.
contemplative prayer helpful and important Especially in providing a scriptural foundation
so “not to discourage you” through their limi- and tradition emerging from the early Christian
ted response, and a broader recommendation church and professed by the early Church Fa-
towards using “silence in group worship and thers. Making regular opportunities available to
a time of silence before the pastoral prayer.” engage and to accompany one another in con-
However, affirming personal responses were templative practices. Encouraging the opening
received in verbal interactions: for engaging in of inner space for contemplative prayer, and

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