Learning Ways to Deepen Our Christian Life of Prayer

Introduction

We can learn how to make our Christian life deeper by learning
more about meditation and contemplation from the tradition of
prayer practices by the Benedictine movement. This monastic
movement, founded by St. Benedict of Nursia, developed in the
history of our Church, and reached its zenith with the Cluny
monastery (ca. 908-1156), the Cistercians of Citeaux (ca. 1098
-1142), and the abbey of Clairvaux founded by St. Bernard (ca.
1113-1153). It is through them that we can learn the art and
practice of letting the scripture passages we read seep into
our mind, and let it discover hidden meaning and truth through
reasoning (meditation). Also, it is from them that we learn how
to raise our hearts in prayer until we go beyond our rational
faculties to attain a nonconceptual, thought-free state of being
in God (contemplation).

Prerequisites before meditation and contemplation

Very important in the practice of meditation and contemplation is
silence and stillness. In a very urban setting, what can hinder
us in our desire to deepen our life of prayer, is an environment
that is continually immersed in noise and frenetic activity.
That is why the monks choose a secluded or isolated area where
they are not disturbed by a noisy and frenetic state of things.
Instead of being immersed in the complexities of politics, trade
and commerce, they enter into a life of simplicity, moderate
asceticism, silence, introspection, and deep prayer. These monks
however did not have a pessimistic negation of life. Rather, they
move also towards the direction of praying for the good of all
Christianity and the reform of both the Church and the world.

Finding a place of quiet

To enter into a meditative and contemplative state, one very good
place to be is in the adoration chapel of a parish. If you are
easily distracted by people you know in your parish and who also
visit the adoration chapel, you can always go to another chapel
where you will not be distracted and can totally quiet your
soul and enter into interior stillness. This would prepare your
body, mind, heart, and soul to enter into a state of stillness
that is conducive to meditation and contemplation. If you bring
a bible with you, you can then meditate and contemplate on the
following prayer suggestions:

Two prayer suggestions

#1 Read Matthew 9:9-13
Points for meditation: Jesus came to call sinners, the unworthy.
God is merciful. Therefore none of us need ever be discouraged
or imagine that we are unworthy of being in the presence of God
and Christ. However, having received God's gracious invitation
and assurance of mercy and forgiveness, we now have the duty to
follow Jesus in His example of mercy and forgiveness toward those
who have offended us. This also means following Jesus in a life
of service and self-sacrifice.
Step to contemplation: Be still and be open to any insights,
desires, resolutions, peace, joy, or love that come to your
attention.

#2 Read Matthew 11:25-30
Points for meditation: Jesus gives us an example from His own
life of how we should pray. How much is this like our own way of
praying? Do gratitude and praise to God predominate our thoughts?
Do we show the same gracious acceptance of God's will in our
regard? What can we change in our present life to allow Jesus to
reveal Himself and the Father to us? How do we respond to the
gentle, loving invitation of Jesus to come to Him when we are
heavily laden?
Step to contemplation: Read these words of Jesus in the gospel
several times and then just be quiet and allow their meaning to
sink deeply into your mind, conscience, heart, and soul.

Lectio divina, the more formal prayer

In the more formal prayer of lectio divina, there other steps
involved before entering into meditation and contemplation. The
first step is already given in the prayer suggestions, that is,
making a prayerful reading of the gospel passage ("lectio").
Meditation is the second step. Then we can let the meaning of the
gospel truth enter our hearts and lead us into prayer - the third
step ("oratio"). From this state of prayer, we can then be open
to God, until He gifts us with a state of simply being aware of
His deep presence within us - a deep presence where all sense of
time and place are lost in His eternal reality ("contemplatio").

Books on meditation and contemplation

If you wish to learn more about meditation and contemplation in
order to make your Christian life of prayer deeper, below is a
link to Librarything.com which lists some 200 books - many of
which are on prayer, meditation, and contemplation. You may find
some ideas that can help you grow in your Christian life of
prayer.