GOSPEL MEDITATIONS FOR
THE CONTEMPLATION OF GOD:
Gospel Meditations are both biblically and theologically intense and complex—they are not for everyone. For those who are beginners in the Faith, these might be difficult to grasp. The discipline of examining Scripture and internalizing it requires some spiritual maturity. So then, if at first the going is rough, keep at it and grow in your understanding of both the Bible and theology, while we ask the Holy Spirit to do a “deep” work in us.
So I invite us all to meditate upon, reflect on, contemplate, and consider afresh the Word and Work of our Triune God. Each Gospel meditation will center on a passage of Scripture, and a method of reflection will be outlined each week. Perhaps early in the morning we may rise up and seek Him, as David did, and rejoice at the wonder and beauty of God our Savior.
GOSPEL MEDITATION 4:
Luke 11:1
"Jesus Teaches Prayer"
Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples."
- 1. Find a place where you can be alone and apart from distractions.
2. Be comfortably alert, being still and at peace.
3. Say the Lord’s Prayer.
4. Sing or chant the Jesus Prayer.
5. Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself.
6. Slowly and carefully read the passage.
7. Reread it.
8. List, in your mind, the central points of the passage.
9. Context: Israel's rabbis traditionally taught their disciples how to pray. John the Baptist taught his, and so Jesus' disciples expected the same instruction, thus the request.
10. Jesus prayed much--this we see in the Gospels.
11. Jesus taught his disciples to do what he himself did.
12. Prayer is communication of the most intimate nature, consisting of those things no one else would ever know, and which we speak to the Father only.
13 Such communication has to be without fear either of rejection or criticism. Since we are in Christ, the Beloved Son of the Father, we boldly approach the throne of grace without the slightest hesitation.
14. Few have advanced far in the school of prayer. Are we yet in kindergarten, maybe grammar school, perhaps as far as middle school? A rare old saint might have gotten to high school. One day we will graduate will full honors.
15. Prayer is a difficult lesson to learn, never mastered then, but we continue to do what Jesus has called us to do.
16. The Man of prayer teaches prayer.
17. Hear the Teacher call you to prayer.
