Transformative Power of Contemplative Prayer in Christ

 

Summary

In 2 Corinthians 3, we find a profound exploration of the transformative power of contemplative prayer. This passage contrasts the old and new covenants, highlighting the surpassing glory of the new covenant through Christ. The old covenant, represented by Moses, was glorious but transitory, while the new covenant, through the Spirit, offers a lasting and transformative glory. This transformation is not merely a superficial change but a deep metamorphosis into the image of Christ, achieved through the Spirit's work within us.

Contemplative prayer, or simply being with God, is a practice that invites us into this transformative process. It involves three dimensions: looking, yielding, and resting. Looking at God involves gazing at His beauty and goodness, allowing His love to penetrate our hearts. Yielding is about surrendering our will to God's, echoing Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane, "Not my will, but yours be done." Resting in God's love is akin to a portable Sabbath, where we cease striving and simply receive His love.

This type of prayer is not about achieving or producing but about being present with God. It challenges us to confront distractions, hurry, and inner turmoil. Distractions are a natural part of our human experience, but they offer opportunities to return to God repeatedly. Hurry, a byproduct of our productivity-obsessed culture, must be ruthlessly eliminated to make space for this kind of prayer. Inner turmoil, the surfacing of our deepest fears and wounds, is met with God's healing presence.

Contemplative prayer is a journey of transformation, where we become more like Christ by gazing upon Him. It rewires our brains, fostering compassion and love, and it invites us to live from a place of deep rest and trust in God's love. This practice is not reserved for monks or mystics but is accessible to all who desire a deeper union with God. It requires patience, perseverance, and a willingness to face our inner selves, but the promise is a life transformed by the love of God.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Transformative Power of Contemplation: Contemplative prayer is a transformative practice that invites us to gaze upon God's glory, allowing His Spirit to metamorphose us into Christ's image. This transformation is not a one-time event but an ongoing process of becoming more like God. [12:31]

2. The Dimensions of Contemplative Prayer: Contemplative prayer involves looking at God, yielding to His will, and resting in His love. It is a practice of being present with God, allowing His love to penetrate our hearts and transform us from within. [13:54]

3. Facing Distractions and Hurry: Distractions and hurry are natural challenges in contemplative prayer. Distractions offer opportunities to return to God, while hurry must be eliminated to create space for this deep communion with God. [31:45]

4. Inner Turmoil and Healing: Contemplative prayer brings our inner turmoil to the surface, offering a space for God's healing presence. It requires courage to face our deepest fears and wounds, but it leads to profound healing and transformation. [36:41]

5. The Promise of Transformation: As we engage in contemplative prayer, we are transformed into people of love and compassion. This practice rewires our brains, fostering a deeper union with God and a life marked by His love and peace. [29:29]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:14] - Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 3
- [02:40] - Story of Mother Teresa
- [04:12] - Stages of Prayer
- [06:05] - Intimacy in Relationships
- [07:38] - Union with God
- [08:12] - Contemplation in the New Testament
- [09:01] - Old vs. New Covenant
- [10:21] - Contemplating the Lord's Glory
- [12:31] - Transformation Through Contemplation
- [13:54] - Dimensions of Contemplative Prayer
- [16:31] - Continuous Gaze of Faith
- [19:02] - Yielding to God's Love
- [20:46] - Resting in God's Love
- [24:00] - Identity in God's Love
- [29:29] - Neuroplasticity and Transformation
- [36:41] - Inner Turmoil and Healing
- [38:52] - Invitation to Contemplative Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- 2 Corinthians 3:7-18

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Observation Questions:

1. What are the key differences between the old covenant and the new covenant as described in 2 Corinthians 3? How does Paul illustrate the glory of each? [01:14]

2. According to the sermon, what are the three dimensions of contemplative prayer? How are they described? [13:54]

3. How does the sermon describe the process of transformation into Christ's image? What role does the Spirit play in this transformation? [12:31]

4. What challenges are mentioned in the sermon that one might face when engaging in contemplative prayer? [31:32]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of "unveiled faces" in 2 Corinthians 3:18 relate to the idea of intimacy with God in contemplative prayer? What does this suggest about our relationship with God? [10:21]

2. The sermon mentions that contemplative prayer is accessible to all, not just monks or mystics. What does this imply about the nature of prayer and its role in everyday life? [31:14]

3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that contemplative prayer can lead to healing from inner turmoil? How might this process look in a believer's life? [36:41]

4. How does the sermon explain the impact of contemplative prayer on our brains and behavior? What does this suggest about the relationship between spiritual practices and mental health? [29:29]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current prayer life. How often do you find yourself simply being present with God, without an agenda or list of requests? What steps can you take to incorporate more contemplative prayer into your routine? [21:37]

2. The sermon discusses the challenge of distractions during prayer. Identify a common distraction in your life. What practical steps can you take to minimize this distraction during your prayer time? [31:45]

3. Consider the idea of "yielding" in prayer, as Jesus did in Gethsemane. Is there an area in your life where you struggle to surrender your will to God? How can you practice yielding in that area this week? [19:33]

4. The sermon highlights the importance of eliminating hurry to make space for contemplative prayer. What is one specific change you can make in your daily schedule to create more time for this type of prayer? [34:19]

5. Think about a time when you experienced inner turmoil. How might contemplative prayer have helped you process and heal from that experience? What can you do to invite God's healing presence into your current struggles? [36:41]

6. The sermon suggests that contemplative prayer can transform us into people of love and compassion. Identify one relationship in your life where you desire to show more love and compassion. How can contemplative prayer help you in this area? [29:29]

7. Reflect on the idea that "you are what you contemplate." What are you currently focusing on in your life, and how is it shaping you? How can you shift your focus to align more closely with God's presence and love? [24:56]

Devotional

Day 1: The Ongoing Metamorphosis into Christ's Image
Contemplative prayer is a transformative practice that invites believers to gaze upon God's glory, allowing His Spirit to metamorphose them into Christ's image. This transformation is not a one-time event but an ongoing process of becoming more like God. As individuals engage in this practice, they experience a deep metamorphosis, a profound change that goes beyond superficial adjustments. The Spirit works within, reshaping hearts and minds to reflect the character and love of Christ. This journey of transformation is marked by a continuous gaze upon the divine, fostering a deeper union with God and a life marked by His love and peace. [12:31]

2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV): "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."

Reflection: In what ways can you intentionally create space in your daily routine to gaze upon God's glory and invite His transformative work in your life today?


Day 2: The Threefold Path of Contemplative Prayer
Contemplative prayer involves three dimensions: looking at God, yielding to His will, and resting in His love. This practice is about being present with God, allowing His love to penetrate hearts and transform individuals from within. Looking at God involves gazing at His beauty and goodness, allowing His love to fill and change us. Yielding is about surrendering our will to God's, echoing Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane, "Not my will, but yours be done." Resting in God's love is akin to a portable Sabbath, where we cease striving and simply receive His love. This threefold path invites believers into a deeper union with God, fostering a life marked by His love and peace. [13:54]

Psalm 27:4 (ESV): "One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple."

Reflection: Which of the three dimensions of contemplative prayer—looking, yielding, or resting—do you find most challenging, and how can you begin to incorporate it more intentionally into your prayer life today?


Day 3: Overcoming Distractions and Hurry
Distractions and hurry are natural challenges in contemplative prayer. Distractions offer opportunities to return to God, while hurry must be eliminated to create space for this deep communion with God. In a productivity-obsessed culture, hurry often becomes a barrier to experiencing the fullness of God's presence. By ruthlessly eliminating hurry, individuals can create a sacred space for contemplative prayer, allowing them to be fully present with God. Distractions, though inevitable, become opportunities to refocus and return to God, deepening the practice of being with Him. This intentional slowing down fosters a deeper union with God and a life marked by His love and peace. [31:45]

Isaiah 30:15 (ESV): "For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, 'In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.' But you were unwilling."

Reflection: Identify one area of your life where hurry is preventing you from experiencing God's presence. What practical steps can you take today to slow down and create space for contemplative prayer?


Day 4: Facing Inner Turmoil with God's Healing Presence
Contemplative prayer brings inner turmoil to the surface, offering a space for God's healing presence. It requires courage to face our deepest fears and wounds, but it leads to profound healing and transformation. As individuals engage in this practice, they encounter the surfacing of their deepest fears and wounds, met with God's healing presence. This journey of facing inner turmoil is marked by a willingness to confront and surrender these areas to God, inviting His transformative work. Through contemplative prayer, believers experience profound healing and transformation, becoming more like Christ in love and compassion. [36:41]

Psalm 34:18 (ESV): "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."

Reflection: What is one area of inner turmoil or fear that you have been avoiding? How can you invite God's healing presence into this area through contemplative prayer today?


Day 5: The Promise of Transformation into Love and Compassion
As individuals engage in contemplative prayer, they are transformed into people of love and compassion. This practice rewires the brain, fostering a deeper union with God and a life marked by His love and peace. The promise of transformation is not just a change in behavior but a profound shift in being, where individuals become more like Christ in love and compassion. This journey of transformation is marked by a continuous gaze upon the divine, fostering a deeper union with God and a life marked by His love and peace. Through contemplative prayer, believers experience a rewiring of their minds and hearts, becoming vessels of God's love and compassion in the world. [29:29]

Ephesians 4:22-24 (ESV): "To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."

Reflection: In what ways can you actively cultivate a heart of love and compassion towards others today, allowing God's transformative work through contemplative prayer to flow into your interactions and relationships?

Quotes


Now the Lord is the spirit and where the spirit of the Lord is there is freedom and we all who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's Glory are being transformed into his image with ever increasing Glory which comes from the Lord who is the spirit. [00:02:17]

Mother Teresa was referring to a type of prayer that goes beyond speaking to God or even listening to God to what St John of the Cross once called Silent love just simple presence to God receiving his love into the depth of your being and giving it back in worship. [00:03:55]

The farther we progress in prayer and all I mean by that is in our life with God the more we desire we find ourselves Desiring by the spirit to talk with God yes to listen to God yes but even more to just be with God. [00:06:00]

As we contemplate the Lord's Glory meaning the Lord's presence and his Beauty and his goodness Paul seems to be saying it's doing something to us next line we are being transformed present tense Into His Image. [00:11:43]

Contemplative prayer feels less like work and more like rest more like a portable Sabbath that's why it feels very different from the first three stages or dimensions of Prayer in classical spirituality. [00:21:33]

The key to quieting distractions is to not give them a second thought literally when they come not if they come when they come just bring your mind back to God just let it go you don't need to judge it you don't need to beat yourself up. [00:33:08]

The first challenge you will face is distraction the moment you begin to sit in loving attention on God without words or maybe even without thoughts your brain will start to jump all over the place. [00:31:45]

When we think on the love of God coming toward us it literally rewires the neural circuits in our brain and makes us into more loving and compassionate people by the way the opposite is also true. [00:29:29]

This process means that often contemplative prayer feels just like coming up at first and as we pray this way we begin to realize all the ways that we've used hurry and distraction and noise and work and stimulation and even the Bible and church activity to run away from the healing of God deep within our soul. [00:36:41]

The practice of this has come to be called contemplation or contemplative prayer and there are three basic di that word kind of means different things at different moments in church history. [00:13:54]

The Deep inner posture of a joyful release of our life and being to God in absolute trust without demands without conditions without reservation it is neither a passive resignation nor a fatalistic acquiescence to whatever comes. [00:19:02]

To pray is to descend with the Mind into the heart and there to stand before the face of the Lord ever present all seen within you St John of the cross just said in this type of prayer we remain in loving attention on God. [00:18:02]

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Transcript
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