Daily prayer changes us from inside, from a position of power to a position of vulnerability and oneness with God. This is another way of saying that prayer changes everything.
Once we are freed from our fears, from the narcissism that thinks we are the center of the world, or from our belief that our rights and dignity have to be defended before those of others, we can finally live and act with justice and truth. Once these blockages are removed — and that is what contemplative prayer does —then our life becomes clearer to what God feels about it. Prayer allows us to be drawn by God and by love instead of being driven by anger and retaliation.
True prayerful contemplation is the most subversive of activities because it undercuts the one thing that normally refuses to give way — our natural individualism and narcissism. We all move toward ourselves. We even solidify whoo we are as we get older if something doesn’t expose it for the lie that it is — not because it is bad, but because it thinks it is the whole and only thing! We come to believe that we can put our toe in the water and pull it out at will. How foolish I am! We don’t really change by ourselves; God changes us, if we expose ourselves to God at a deep level. This is why Christian meditation will never fill stadiums; not so many people want their narcissism and separateness to be exposed as the silliness and sinfulness that they are.
As we approach a new year pray about this. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God have mercy on me a sinner.
From the Bible:
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” Romans 12:2.
“I can do all things through him who strengthens me” Philippians 4:13.
“So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart” 2 Timothy 2:22.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” John 14:27.
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