Contemplative Prayer
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Psalm 131
“In Your Arms” in Endless Grace by Ryan Whitaker Smith and Dan Wilt (pg 93)
Father,
I rest in your arms -
spirit humbled,
heart comforted.
Here
in the solace of Your presence
I cease my restless longing,
my endless striving.
There is nothing for me
to prove,
to do-
no effort,
no struggle.
I am a child
cradled in embrace,
held in the grasp of love.
Hope rises in me,
as it does for all who know
the comfort of your arms.
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Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices That Transform Us by Adele Calhoun
Endless Grace: Prayers Inspired by the Psalms by Ryan Whitaker Smith and Dan Wilt Psalm 76-150 *This month’s poem is from this one.
Sheltering Mercy: Prayers Inspired by the Psalms by Ryan Whitaker Smith and Dan Wilt Psalms 1-75
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“In Contemplative prayer, we rest and wait but keeping our hearts alert and awake to the presence of God, we listen.” - Adele Calhoun
“In a world given to activity and work, contemplative prayer is a way we join God in a place of divine rest and love.” -Adele Calhoun
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2 Corinthians 12:9
Galatians 2:20
Isaiah 40:31
Matthew 8:26-30
Psalm 62:5-6
Galatians 1:10
Romans 12:2
Colossians 3:2
Psalm 131
Psalm 23
Just Come
Burdened and heavy I come. Face downcast, mind full, heart a whirl of chaos. Out of breath, my prayers come in halting whispers; questions needing answers, a heart needing healing, a mind bombarded with what I am not and haunted by who I wish I could be. A list of ‘to do’s’ longer than the time I have and a soul wearing thin. Words upon words they come and the more I speak the more frantic I become. And then I hear it…
“My child, just come. Sit with Me a while. In My presence is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11). You are fully known and deeply loved. I knitted you together in your mother’s womb - tenderly and beautifully. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. I saw you in the secret space where you were visible to only Me (Ps. 139:13-16) I see the places in you invisible to others, but not one place in You is not understood or seen by Me. Every hair on your head is numbered (Luke 12:7).
Life without you was more unbearable to Me than the suffering of the Cross. YOU are the joy that made the Cross worth it (Ephesians 2:4-8). I choose you because of my mercy and lovingkindness, not because of your perfection (Titus 3:4-7). Not one person’s opinion of you changes Mine for I truly see you (I Samuel 16:7).
Do not be anxious, dear one. For I know exactly what you need and I care deeply for you (Matthew 6:25-29). Not one thing you do or don’t do will ever alter My love for you. My grace is sufficient for you - every part of you (2 Corinthians 12:9). You can confidently come near to Me (Hebrews 4:16).
You will never find Me to be less than you hope Me to be - loving, good or kind (Isaiah 49:23). I am continually working in You - healing you and making you more whole (Ephesians 2:10). You, My child, are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Even though I made, the sun, moon and stars and hold the world in My hands, I am mindful of you (Psalm 8:3-5). Even though you may feel forgotten or alone, I have not forgotten you. In fact, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands (Isaiah 49:15-16).
I dance over you with singing and rejoicing and I will quiet you with my love (Zephaniah 3:17) Do not be afraid, I am with you. I will strengthen and help you. I will uphold you with My strong and righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10). Not one thing can ever separate you from My love. Nothing. (Romans 8:35). I long to be with you and for you to know My deep, deep love for you, but only in the stillness will you notice what has been true all along. I love you and will keep loving you every day as long as you live.”
And in this space I rest.
By Wendy Gerdes
To read more by Wendy Click Here
