For a long time I followed the "A.C.T.S." pattern of prayer -Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication, but lately I have been praying as Our Lord taught, focusing on each stanza, and adding intercession, praise, etc. I'm also reading EM Bounds and Andrew Murray's prayer books.
There is no ‘formula’ for prayer. But there is a pure and honest heart. I’ve found that praying honestly whether using ACTS or any other patterned prayer is where God meets me most visibly. Honesty. Truthfully. Faithfully.
It’s not a formula but the outworking of a relationship built on honesty and truth.
I agree, but sometimes it helps to have a template to get started with. I find life to be so cluttered at times, and I don't know where to start, so it does give me a clearing to seek His face.
Where do you come up with you art work? I am asking as I am currently writing a book, journal, or whatever it is about 1. Becoming a Man of God and 2. Having a Warrior Mindset for GOD.
That having been said, and not wanting to be contradictory or pedantic, I feel compelled to make a couple notes, to writ:
* According to the spiritual teachings of St John of The Cross, St Teresa of Avila, Garrigou LaGrange, Johann Tayler, and Aquinas, Saurez, Billot, Marcel Lefebvre et Al, meditation is, in fact, a form of prayer. The Ignatian meditations exemplify poignantly that in meditation, one is active rather than passive.
* Contemplation, on the contrary, highest form of prayer, is passive rather than active.
* It is the false meditation style of the Buddhists that says we must empty ourselves, thinking of nothing.
Contrarywise, in Christian meditation, the mind is active and the antitheses of emptying ourselves.
* That having been said, there is, indeed, a place for the Eastern model of meditation:
Focusing on breathing, practicing being in the moment, etc (especially for those with any anxiety issues, among other variables.
* I heartily recommend, and cannot recommend enough, the work
"Achieving Peace of Heart" by Narciso Orals, S.J., published by Abbey Press.
Don't be deceived by the title -- It is a vademecum for re-educating the Will, the intellect, the emotional apparatus, and provides the best methods of relaxation, breathing exercises, and all the best the Eastern models of meditation can provide.and uses the most Catholic and Thomist methods of classical Swiss psychoanalysis tools that have proved extraordinarily more effective than the Freudian model, with a neglible ratio of attrition that typifies Freudian and pop culture methods of therapy (such as A.A., with an over 90 % attrition rate!).
* Please correct me if I've misunderstood your post, as I haven't yet had my morning coffee.
P.S. :. Your latest prayer style which you cited in the piece, is exemplary.
You'll benefit wonderfully from having a copy of
"Devoutly I Adore Thee:. The Prayers and Hymns of St Thomas Aquinas" published by Sophia Institute Press. Many of Aquinas' prayers included in the book, have been used by me since the 1970's, when I first entered the seminary (Séminaire St Pie X, Econe, Switzerland). So, almost 50 years later, those prayers are almost part of my DNA, so to speak.
I once heard someone describe secular meditation as emptying oneself out, but prayer to the on true God is an act of filling yourself up—pouring the Holy Spirit into your empty places. I rather liked that explanation. I too did the meditation thing before becoming a Christian, and now I pray every day. Like you say, not sure if I’m doing it right, but I’m doing it—and I find as I talk to God I get answers.
It bothers me too when people confuse secular or buddhist meditation with prayer.
Your distinction between them as meditation being passive, and prayer being active, is excellent.
A clear distinction I like to make is that Buddhist meditation trains attention (almost like a gym exercise), and is focused entirely on internal stimuli. Thus it is both empty and emptying.
Meanwhile, prayer is contemplative, active communication and focuses on the ultimate external stimuli, that being God.
For a long time I followed the "A.C.T.S." pattern of prayer -Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication, but lately I have been praying as Our Lord taught, focusing on each stanza, and adding intercession, praise, etc. I'm also reading EM Bounds and Andrew Murray's prayer books.
There is no ‘formula’ for prayer. But there is a pure and honest heart. I’ve found that praying honestly whether using ACTS or any other patterned prayer is where God meets me most visibly. Honesty. Truthfully. Faithfully.
It’s not a formula but the outworking of a relationship built on honesty and truth.
I agree, but sometimes it helps to have a template to get started with. I find life to be so cluttered at times, and I don't know where to start, so it does give me a clearing to seek His face.
Amen.
Where do you come up with you art work? I am asking as I am currently writing a book, journal, or whatever it is about 1. Becoming a Man of God and 2. Having a Warrior Mindset for GOD.
Thank you.
I use either Pinterest or MidJourney (AI). Congrats on your book brother, when will you release it!
Thanks for reading and supporting as well. God bless you!
Thank you. I am currently posting some content on my FB page under my pen name. I am looking to self publish by the end of the year.
Amen. You can't have a relationship with God without prayer.
Absolutely. Thanks for reading!
Thank-you for posting this.
I always look forward to reading your posts.
That having been said, and not wanting to be contradictory or pedantic, I feel compelled to make a couple notes, to writ:
* According to the spiritual teachings of St John of The Cross, St Teresa of Avila, Garrigou LaGrange, Johann Tayler, and Aquinas, Saurez, Billot, Marcel Lefebvre et Al, meditation is, in fact, a form of prayer. The Ignatian meditations exemplify poignantly that in meditation, one is active rather than passive.
* Contemplation, on the contrary, highest form of prayer, is passive rather than active.
* It is the false meditation style of the Buddhists that says we must empty ourselves, thinking of nothing.
Contrarywise, in Christian meditation, the mind is active and the antitheses of emptying ourselves.
* That having been said, there is, indeed, a place for the Eastern model of meditation:
Focusing on breathing, practicing being in the moment, etc (especially for those with any anxiety issues, among other variables.
* I heartily recommend, and cannot recommend enough, the work
"Achieving Peace of Heart" by Narciso Orals, S.J., published by Abbey Press.
Don't be deceived by the title -- It is a vademecum for re-educating the Will, the intellect, the emotional apparatus, and provides the best methods of relaxation, breathing exercises, and all the best the Eastern models of meditation can provide.and uses the most Catholic and Thomist methods of classical Swiss psychoanalysis tools that have proved extraordinarily more effective than the Freudian model, with a neglible ratio of attrition that typifies Freudian and pop culture methods of therapy (such as A.A., with an over 90 % attrition rate!).
* Please correct me if I've misunderstood your post, as I haven't yet had my morning coffee.
+ Pax, frater!.+
P.S. :. Your latest prayer style which you cited in the piece, is exemplary.
You'll benefit wonderfully from having a copy of
"Devoutly I Adore Thee:. The Prayers and Hymns of St Thomas Aquinas" published by Sophia Institute Press. Many of Aquinas' prayers included in the book, have been used by me since the 1970's, when I first entered the seminary (Séminaire St Pie X, Econe, Switzerland). So, almost 50 years later, those prayers are almost part of my DNA, so to speak.
+Pax+
I once heard someone describe secular meditation as emptying oneself out, but prayer to the on true God is an act of filling yourself up—pouring the Holy Spirit into your empty places. I rather liked that explanation. I too did the meditation thing before becoming a Christian, and now I pray every day. Like you say, not sure if I’m doing it right, but I’m doing it—and I find as I talk to God I get answers.
Really enjoyed this article, thank you.
It bothers me too when people confuse secular or buddhist meditation with prayer.
Your distinction between them as meditation being passive, and prayer being active, is excellent.
A clear distinction I like to make is that Buddhist meditation trains attention (almost like a gym exercise), and is focused entirely on internal stimuli. Thus it is both empty and emptying.
Meanwhile, prayer is contemplative, active communication and focuses on the ultimate external stimuli, that being God.
Jesus already taught us how to pray. And your prayer is just his in more words than necessary.
Also, the idea that any particular prayer said any particular way will move the hand of God is approaching witchcraft.