Embracing God's Love Through Contemplative Prayer

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound nature of God's love and the invitation to be part of His transformative work. We began by reflecting on the purity and depth of Jesus' love, contrasting it with our often skewed human experiences of love. This love is exemplified in the simple, yet profound, joy of a child running to their parent, a reflection of how God feels about us. We are invited to be part of a new season at Parkway Church, likened to boarding a ship steered by Jesus, calling us to participate in His divine purpose. This vision challenges us to consider our role in God's unfolding plan and to embrace the journey with faith and commitment.

We delved into the stages of prayer, emphasizing that these are not linear steps but layers of a deepening relationship with God. We discussed the importance of contemplative prayer, which involves looking at, yielding to, and resting in God's love. This form of prayer is about being with God, not just speaking to Him or asking for things. It is about gazing upon His glory, surrendering to His will, and finding rest in His presence. This practice transforms us, rewiring our brains to become more compassionate and loving, as science has shown.

We acknowledged the challenges of distraction, hurry, and fear that often hinder our prayer life. Yet, by embracing a lifestyle of slow, intentional prayer, we can overcome these obstacles. We are encouraged to adopt a daily rhythm of prayer, pausing throughout the day to acknowledge God's presence and align our hearts with His. This practice is not about achieving something but about being with Jesus, the ultimate goal of our faith journey.

As we concluded, we were reminded that our walk with God is not a race but a journey of intimacy and transformation. By prioritizing prayer and creating space for God in our lives, we can experience the fullness of His love and be transformed into His likeness.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Depth of God's Love: God's love for us is pure and profound, akin to the joy a parent feels when embraced by their child. This love is not based on our actions but on His nature, inviting us to experience and reflect it in our lives. [36:14]

2. Invitation to God's Work: We are called to be part of God's unfolding plan, likened to boarding a ship steered by Jesus. This invitation challenges us to consider our role and embrace the journey with faith and commitment. [38:27]

3. Contemplative Prayer: This form of prayer involves looking at, yielding to, and resting in God's love. It is about being with God, not just speaking to Him, and transforms us into more compassionate and loving individuals. [59:14]

4. Overcoming Distractions: Distraction, hurry, and fear are common obstacles in prayer. By adopting a lifestyle of slow, intentional prayer, we can overcome these challenges and deepen our relationship with God. [01:13:12]

5. Daily Prayer Rhythm: Embracing a daily rhythm of prayer helps us align our hearts with God's presence. This practice is not about achieving something but about being with Jesus, the ultimate goal of our faith journey. [01:20:45]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [35:13] - Worship and Praise
- [36:14] - The Father's Love
- [37:08] - Vision of the Ship
- [38:27] - Invitation to God's Work
- [39:21] - Visionary Statement
- [40:27] - Jesus at the Helm
- [42:46] - Purpose and Calling
- [44:05] - Rise Up and Serve
- [44:44] - Prayer and Commitment
- [45:28] - Announcements and Giving
- [51:15] - Prayer and Fasting Reflection
- [53:56] - Scripture Reading
- [54:58] - Contemplative Prayer
- [57:38] - Mother Teresa's Prayer
- [59:14] - Dimensions of Prayer
- [01:01:24] - Looking at God's Love
- [01:02:38] - Yielding to God's Love
- [01:04:19] - Resting in God's Love
- [01:07:21] - Transformation Through Prayer
- [01:10:49] - Science and Prayer
- [01:13:12] - Enemies of Prayer
- [01:14:58] - The Goal of Prayer
- [01:20:45] - Daily Prayer Rhythm
- [01:24:22] - Practicing Contemplative Prayer
- [01:32:34] - Embracing a Lifestyle of Slow
- [01:38:03] - Closing Prayer and Dismissal

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- 2 Corinthians 3:18

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Observation Questions:

1. How does the sermon describe the nature of God's love, and what analogy is used to illustrate it? [36:14]
2. What vision does the pastor share about the church's journey, and how is it symbolized? [38:27]
3. What are the three dimensions of contemplative prayer mentioned in the sermon? [59:14]
4. What are the common obstacles to prayer discussed in the sermon, and how can they be overcome? [01:13:12]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God's love is different from human love, and how can this understanding impact one's faith journey? [36:14]
2. How does the vision of the ship steered by Jesus challenge individuals to consider their role in God's plan? [38:27]
3. What does it mean to "yield" to God's love in prayer, and how might this practice change one's approach to life's challenges? [01:02:38]
4. How does the sermon explain the transformation that occurs through contemplative prayer, and what scientific evidence supports this? [01:10:49]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt the depth of God's love in your life. How can you cultivate a deeper awareness of this love daily? [36:14]
2. Consider your current role in the church or community. How can you actively participate in God's unfolding plan, as described in the sermon? [38:27]
3. What steps can you take to incorporate contemplative prayer into your daily routine, and how might this practice help you become more compassionate and loving? [59:14]
4. Identify a specific distraction or fear that hinders your prayer life. What practical changes can you make to address this obstacle? [01:13:12]
5. How can you establish a daily rhythm of prayer that aligns your heart with God's presence, and what might be the benefits of such a practice? [01:20:45]
6. Think about a recent situation where you struggled to yield to God's will. How can you practice surrender in similar situations moving forward? [01:02:38]
7. What is one tangible way you can create space for God in your life this week, and how do you anticipate this will impact your spiritual journey? [01:32:34]

Devotional

Day 1: Experiencing the Depth of God's Love
God's love is pure and profound, transcending human understanding and experiences. It is not contingent on our actions or worthiness but is rooted in His very nature. This love is akin to the joy a parent feels when embraced by their child, a reflection of how God feels about us. We are invited to experience this love deeply and to let it transform us, allowing it to flow through us to others. This understanding of divine love challenges us to reflect it in our daily lives, offering grace and compassion to those around us. [36:14]

"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." (Ephesians 3:14-19 ESV)

Reflection: Think of a moment when you felt truly loved and accepted. How can you extend that same love to someone in your life today?


Day 2: Embracing Our Role in God's Plan
We are called to be active participants in God's unfolding plan, likened to boarding a ship steered by Jesus. This invitation challenges us to consider our role and embrace the journey with faith and commitment. It requires us to step out of our comfort zones and trust in His guidance, even when the path is unclear. By aligning ourselves with His divine purpose, we become co-laborers in His transformative work, contributing to the greater good and the advancement of His kingdom. [38:27]

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10 ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific way you can actively participate in God's work this week, whether in your community, church, or personal life?


Day 3: The Transformative Power of Contemplative Prayer
Contemplative prayer is a practice of looking at, yielding to, and resting in God's love. It is about being with God, not just speaking to Him or asking for things. This form of prayer transforms us, rewiring our brains to become more compassionate and loving. By gazing upon His glory, surrendering to His will, and finding rest in His presence, we are changed from the inside out. This transformation is not just spiritual but also has tangible effects on our mental and emotional well-being, as science has shown. [59:14]

"But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." (Matthew 6:6 ESV)

Reflection: Set aside 10 minutes today for contemplative prayer. What distractions arise, and how can you gently refocus on God's presence?


Day 4: Overcoming Distractions in Prayer
Distraction, hurry, and fear are common obstacles in our prayer life. By adopting a lifestyle of slow, intentional prayer, we can overcome these challenges and deepen our relationship with God. This practice involves creating space for God in our daily routines, allowing us to pause and acknowledge His presence. It is not about achieving something but about being with Jesus, the ultimate goal of our faith journey. By prioritizing prayer, we can experience the fullness of His love and be transformed into His likeness. [01:13:12]

"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" (Psalm 46:10 ESV)

Reflection: Identify one distraction that often hinders your prayer time. What practical step can you take to minimize this distraction today?


Day 5: Establishing a Daily Prayer Rhythm
Embracing a daily rhythm of prayer helps us align our hearts with God's presence. This practice is about being with Jesus, the ultimate goal of our faith journey. By pausing throughout the day to acknowledge God's presence, we cultivate a deeper intimacy with Him. This rhythm is not about checking off a task but about nurturing a relationship that transforms us. As we create space for God in our lives, we become more attuned to His voice and more aligned with His will. [01:20:45]

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific time each day you can dedicate to prayer, and how can you ensure this becomes a consistent habit?

Quotes

"We delved into the stages of prayer, emphasizing that these are not linear steps but layers of a deepening relationship with God. We discussed the importance of contemplative prayer, which involves looking at, yielding to, and resting in God's love. This form of prayer is about being with God, not just speaking to Him or asking for things. It is about gazing upon His glory, surrendering to His will, and finding rest in His presence. This practice transforms us, rewiring our brains to become more compassionate and loving, as science has shown." [00:59:14]

"Like, sometimes I think we have a skewed, not sometimes, often I think we have a skewed version of love because of the love we experience with one another, with earthly, maybe, relationships. But the love, the love that Jesus has for you. Let me give you an example. This morning, my family comes in. I always come in a little bit early, and they come in. And my little two-and-a-half-year-old girl, if you know her, little Abby, she's got her sweater on, curly hair, blue eyes." [00:35:48]

"And she runs to me. And I know that, some saw it and they were just overcome with joy, but like, in my own heart it was just like, I melted. And that, that love, I'm not trying to bring my love to the Father, but that's the Father's love for you. Like, that's, that's Jesus' love for you. He willingly goes to the cross. He willingly dies. because He loves you." [00:36:54]

"Jesus is inviting you to be a part. Not physically. But God is doing a work in this church that is leading us into a new season. And He's calling people to be a part of what He's doing. He's taking us somewhere. The question is, will you accept the invitation a great destination with great purpose. And many in the room will be completely oblivious." [00:37:52]

"The question is, do you want to be a part of what God's doing? And I think God, over the last maybe six months or so, has been revealing to me that the people who brought us to where we are today are not necessarily going to be the ones that take us to where we're going. So are you a part of the ship? And I'm saying this as like a visionary statement for us right now." [00:39:21]

"To be with God in prayer like this, we have to eliminate hurry. Dallas Willard, when asked how to grow spiritually, spiritually said you must ruthlessly eliminate hurry. You got to kick it from your life. But that means we have to confront our impatience, and how quickly we get bored. We have to learn to sit with God, and learn that sitting with God wordless is not wasteful time." [01:14:58]

"The goal of prayer is not to get from God. Right? The goal of prayer is not to get from Jesus. The goal is to be with Jesus. It's to get Jesus. He is the end. He's the result. He's the trophy at the finish line. When you get to heaven one day, it's not about the mansion and the gold streets. That's the pavement, people. Nobody's liking pavement outside. It's about Jesus. It's about Him." [01:15:45]

"And so if I just get to sit with Him, that's not wasted time, although we are wired to think that because we have a hard time sitting still, right? Part of my fast over this 21 days was social media. I don't know how many times I picked up my phone. Like literally, the dopamine effect, I'm like, oh, there's nothing to look at. It's all not there. And so I'm just like swiping to the next page, but there's nothing on the next page of my phone screen because I'm learning that I got to be bored in order to rewire my brain so that I can sit with the Lord. And just be." [01:16:40]

"Now, the opposite is true, too. If your view of God is of an angry, authoritative tyrant, that changes your brain. And Dr. Newberg argues it has a similar effect to PTSD. It changes your brain to become more aggressive and more fearful. So we become what we look at. Going back to our... In our first week discussion, as Jesus talked about who we are praying to, if you have the wrong view of God, you become a worse person." [01:11:41]

"So we need to challenge our view of the Lord. Who is it that we serve? We serve a God of love. Who makes a way. Who sends His Son. Who comes in the form of a man to die your death. So that you could be with Him for all eternity. That's love. No greater love than that. That one would lay down their life for a friend. So sitting with God in His presence proves to be mind-altering. Now, there's a few enemies to all this." [01:12:20]

"Being with God, praying contemplatively, distraction, hurry, and fear. Distraction. The moment you sit down to be with God in prayer in a wordless way, your mind starts doing gymnastics. Right? All the thoughts start coming to you. And I need to pick up this, and I need to do that, and what do I got to do next? And oh, I stopped praying. I'm not here anymore. Where am I? Our thoughts are everywhere." [01:13:12]

"And all this means is that you are like everybody else. You're human. You're human. This is normal. And while you can calm your brain, the distractions never really go away. You just actually have to decide not to give them a second thought. So as it comes across your mind, you just let it drift. You say hello, and then you say goodbye. I love what Thomas Keating said. He was another Trappist monk. He said, if your mind gets distracted a thousand times in ten minutes of prayer, that's a thousand chances to come back to God. How good is that? Oh, there's a distraction. Oh, now I get to come back to Him." [01:13:52]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?