PRAYER IS THE CENTER OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

Last updated on: July 1, 2019 at 5:46 am by Paul Bane

PRAYER IS THE CENTER OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE 2019-07-01T05:46:25-06:00 Paul Bane

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Henri Nouwen wrote prayer has for too long only been associated with piety, talking to God, thinking about God, morning and evening prayers, Sunday services, grace before meals, sentences from the Bible and many other things. However, for Nouwen “Prayer is the center of the Christian life. It is the only necessary thing. It is living with God in the here and now.”

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Lk. 10:41-42)

Prayer is the essence of spiritual life, and we find our true identity as the children of God by letting go of the desires of the world so we can belong to God and God alone. Prayer is the transformation of the thoughts that preoccupy my mind with the thought of my heart being the eternal dwelling place of God. It is the revelation that “Imago Dei,” the image of the Creator of the heavens and the earth, is at the center of my heart and being.

Contemplative prayer is the practice of seeing God residing in our heart and recognizing the presence of Christ transforming our minds and outlook on life. Prayer connects and joins my heart with my mind, my mind with my will, my will with my behavior so that the resurrected Christ impacts and touches every aspect of life. However, this union takes place only as we crucify our egos, our preconceived ideas, and our desires to control our self apart from God. Prayer is always challenging our perspectives on life to see everything through the eyes of Christ and His will.

Nouwen discerns Gods’ “heart and will” on the matter of prayer in our life. Prayer is the change agent producing intimacy with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is a revolutionary insight where inward prayer is who I am; not something I do only at certain times. Prayer is my life abiding and dwelling continually in God’s presence. Prayer is the mindful contemplation the eternal Christ is alive in me. He is the Vine I am the branch. (John 15:5) I live with the awareness that nothing can separate me from His love. (Rom. 8:38-39) Prayer unites my heart and mind with the heart and mind of Christ. Prayer not only leads me into the presence of God, but prayer is the existence of the life of God in my heart. My heart and life are safe and secure in His love. I no longer think without ceasing, but pray without ceasing. (I Thess. 5:17) I live in unity and oneness with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Image Via Pixabay

NewAdvent

ChristianityToday

CAC

A great read “The Only Thing Necessary” by Henri Nouwen

prayer is the center of the christian life

unity and oneness

Previous Post

June 17, 2018

The Fear of Silence is Killing Us

Next Post

June 23, 2018 Silent Prayer Centers our Heart in the Presence of God

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Christian Life Contemplation Contemplative Prayer Grief and Loss Mindfulness Recent Posts Suffering Uncategorized

Select a Month August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2014 September 2014

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz