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Scripture~Psalm 16.11 (NRSV)
You show me the path of life.
In your presence there is fullness of joy;
in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Wisdom Saying
When in prayer I am present to God. As attentiveness to God grows in prayer, the divine presence becomes real in the rest of life. I become aware of God in every moment, in all I see, in everyone I meet.
*J. David Muyskens, Forty Days to a Closer Walk with God: The Practice of Centering Prayer
Comments
Certainly, we find in the Prayer of Silence that resting in the Presence of the Trinity, in pure faith and open heart, often brings tranquility and joy. These benefits inspire us to be faithful to our devotion.
At times, outside the prayer time, we long to return from amidst the demands and stresses of daily life to a quiet place for prayer. We, also, discover that when we neglect our quiet time, we feel an inward proneness to anxiety and aridity~dryness of spirit.
Are you selfish to long to enjoy this Presence? To say with the Psalmist, "In your presence there is fullness of joy"? Of course not! Our Divine Friend shaped us to enjoy such a blissful and life-giving Presence.
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Our heart is a god-like chalice. God shaped our heart to fill it with all good. This same benevolent God has taught us such good only arises from intimacy with our Christ, the Word of God. God has instructed us that outside of the Word we cannot enjoy lasting joy.
In your Prayer of Silence, do not be greedy for the good gifts of the Holy Spirit. Gifts like peace, joy, and insights. However, do not resist them when they arise from the Holy Spirit.
You have nothing to prove by resisting the joy arising from Joy Itself. Christ is the Fullness of Joy. To receive the Living Word in intimate communion is to receive the fullness of all in Christ. And all within Christ is good and wholesome, leading you to fullness of spiritual life, joy, and peace.
Suggested Reflection
Have you noticed that through your practice of Pure Prayer there have been shifts in what brings you pleasure, as contrasted with what used to bring you pleasure?
See next page for details on OneLife Ministries, Brian's book An Ache for Union, and material pertaining to sources used in the writing.
Feel free to submit a query. Thanks! Brian K. Wilcox
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