Page 120 - EMCAPP-Journal No. 7

Challenges for Christian Psychology

Roland Mahler

Comment to

„A Reflection: The Practice

of Contemplative Prayer

from an Evangelical

Perspective: a Seeking and Roland Mahler,

a Yearning“ Dr.,Theologist,
Psychologist
MSc, Psycho-
This article by Jackie Stinton examines the re- therapist SPV, Director of Institute of Chri-
sults of a survey concerning contemplative stian Psychology, Psychotherapy and Edu-
prayer among evangelical Christians. Motiva- cation, Switzerland
ted by far-reaching personal experiences and www.icptp.ch.
changes resulting from contemplative prayer,
Stinton attempts to collect and evaluate relevant Articles by Roland:
defining, practical and critical conceptions and http://www.emcapp.ignis.de/4/#/22
also experiences of evangelical Christians. In http://www.emcapp.ignis.de/4/#/52
the final part of the article, she draws from the
results her conclusions for an evangelical prac-
tice of contemplative prayer.

In the process, it becomes evident that the de- ward programme of events offered in church
fining conceptions, despite a clearly present ac- services and conferences, supported by media,
ceptance, diverge quite widely. It can be conclu- fosters responsiveness to external stimuli – as
ded from this that no tradition has developed in our media-influenced society likewise does in
this area within evangelical circles. This insight, the greatest variety of ways. The perception of
in my opinion, could be anticipated and corre- the spiritual impulses from within tends to be
sponds to my own experience over the last de- pushed to one side by this, the ability to concen-
cades. In fact, the conceptions of prayer among trate without external media support (in this
evangelical (and also among charismatic!) case by means of sermon, music etc.) is dimi-
Christians seem to be focussed principally on nishing constantly. What is inward is felt to be
intercession and worship (musically animated empty and boring and in need of supplemen-
prayer). In the meantime, the results of the first tation from outside. The contemplative path
survey encourage the author to make helpful of experience, opposing this trend, attempts
and noteworthy recommendations directed to to enable new encounters with the stimuli, felt
evangelical churches and groups regarding the by the inner senses, of silence and the personal
contemplative form of prayer. “nothing”. Here the subject is the “naked pres-
ence” (R. Rohr) of God and man – lying beyond
The survey on the significance of contemplati- verbal and emotional interaction.
ve prayer in the life of evangelical (?) Christians
launched by Stinton certainly indicates a gro- Stinton’s article makes us aware of a dimension
wing interest in the topic as well as a conside- of Christian theology neglected by Protestant
rable variance in the practice understood under word theology and attempts what is only a pre-
this term. This state of affairs allows various liminary systematic look at the phenomena of
interpretations. I tend to see in it a reaction to an incipient rediscovery of meditative-contem-
the current lack of a space where the individual plative elements in the exercise of faith among
can have intensive inner experience. The out- evangelical Christians. The results show a diver-

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