Into the Realm of Christ, Prayer with Depth

Into the Realm of Christ, Prayer with Depth

To seek the grace of God is but a grace in itself that most are not aware of the blessedness we receive each time we pray in his presence.  Prayer is not just the utterance of words but a deep sense of touch that is a breath away from the vision of the Spirit that surrounds our very being.  

Can we physically see this essence of God’s Spirit?  No!  But we are able to feel in an unknown fashion the movement of an indescribable manner something that contemplatives feel without description.  

There might be a moment when you are prompted to say something you’ve received and pass it off as insignificant until the urge has you opening to another the very thought.  It’s as though a sense of speaking will make you look foolish.  This is when the importance of a premise can be lost if not acted upon.  God speaks to those who can be trusted to respond to interruptions in a telepathic manner that may appear as an oddity and not real.  

If contemplatives sit without voice or other outside movements the uninterrupted period will become one that allows the uncluttered moments of the Spirit’s gentleness to actually touch our inner senses and speak in a way that most may not be open to.  

Think for a moment when Joseph heard the voice of an angel saying to him in a dream, “Rise, take the child and his mother by night and depart for Egypt.”  (Mt. 2: 13 b).  Or, when Herod died, the angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.”  (Mt. 2: 19 - 20).  Now Joseph was not in a contemplative trance but God uses different ways of reaching those he wishes to communicate with.  

The very essence of God’s mental connection isn’t accomplished via a messenger like a singing telegram, but in ways that confound the unbelievers and promote the message through the Spirit of Jesus.  

Listen to the words Jesus spoke regarding prayer, which we heard on Ash Wednesday;  “When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so others may see them,  Amen I say to you, they have received their reward.  But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret.  And your Father who sees you in secret will repay you.”  (Mt. 6: 5 - 6).  This is a perfect way to pray always; no outside interruptions and a certain manner of allowing God’s Spirit the opportunity to invite you into that realm of Christ!

Everyone can’t be a contemplative because their attention to seclusion, at least in a mental fashion is difficult with so many distractions.  However, one may not know if they can become one unless they try.  That does not exclude anyone from prayer, even if just for a few moments.  

Ralph B. Hathaway, Prayer in Christ