Contemplative Prayer: Navigating the Mystical Maze and Staying True to Biblical Principles.

Discover the true nature of contemplative prayer and its implications in this insightful article. Understand the biblical perspective on prayer and the dangers of deviating from it.

Contemplative Prayer: Understanding the Practice and its Implications

Contemplative prayer has gained popularity in recent years, particularly within the emerging church movement. However, it is important to examine this practice in light of biblical teachings and discern its true nature. In this article, we will delve into the meaning of contemplative prayer, its origins, and why it deviates from biblical principles.

What is Contemplative Prayer?

Contemplative prayer, as commonly understood, involves a meditative practice known as "centering prayer." This practice entails focusing on a single word or phrase and repeating it throughout the prayer session. The aim is to clear the mind of external distractions and create a receptive space for hearing from God. Following the centering prayer, practitioners are encouraged to sit quietly, listen for divine guidance, and experience the presence of God.

While this may initially sound like a harmless exercise, it is essential to note that contemplative prayer lacks scriptural support. In fact, it contradicts the biblical definition and purpose of prayer. The Bible instructs believers to engage their minds while praying, as seen in 1 Corinthians 14:15 where the apostle Paul states, "I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding." This verse emphasizes the importance of engaging our minds in prayer, rather than emptying them.

The Biblical Perspective on Prayer

The Bible provides clear guidance on how we should approach prayer. Philippians 4:6 encourages us not to be anxious but to present our requests to God with thanksgiving. This verse highlights the importance of bringing our concerns and needs before the Lord, seeking His intervention and guidance. Similarly, in John 16:23-24, Jesus assures His disciples that when they ask anything in His name, the Father will grant their requests. These passages emphasize the relational aspect of prayer, with believers approaching God as their loving Father and making their requests known to Him.

Throughout the Bible, we find numerous examples of individuals engaging in heartfelt and meaningful conversations with God. Abraham pleaded with God for the salvation of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18:22-33), Moses interceded for the Israelites (Exodus 32:11-14), and Jesus Himself prayed fervently in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:39-46). These instances illustrate the biblical model of prayer: coming before God with sincerity, humility, and a desire to align our hearts with His will.

The Dangers of Contemplative Prayer

Contemplative prayer, as practiced today, promotes a mystical experience with God. However, mysticism is subjective and lacks a foundation in truth and fact. The Bible, on the other hand, provides us with the objective truth about God and His ways. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 states, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." The Word of God is our guide, and it is through the Scriptures that we gain knowledge of who God is and how we should live.

Furthermore, contemplative prayer aligns itself with an open spirituality that embraces all religions and paths to salvation. However, Jesus Himself declared, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). This verse clearly establishes that salvation is found exclusively in Christ. Embracing a belief that promotes multiple paths to salvation contradicts the teachings of Jesus and undermines the central message of the Gospel.

Conclusion

Contemplative prayer, as practiced in the modern prayer movement, deviates from biblical principles and should be approached with caution. Its focus on mystical experiences and subjective spirituality leads believers away from the objective truth found in Scripture. Rather than seeking to empty our minds and achieve a meditative state, we should engage our minds and hearts in prayer, bringing our concerns, needs, and desires before God with thanksgiving. Let us hold fast to the biblical model of prayer, seeking a deeper relationship with our heavenly Father through heartfelt conversations and humble submission to His will.