Christ Church Rockville Lenten Devotion
Deut. 10:12-22
Heb. 4:11-16
John 3:22-36
“Let us then with confidence draw near the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Some years ago, twelve or so parishioners at Christ Church formed a Contemplative Prayer group that met every Wednesday to discuss this ancient Christian tradition and practice it as a group for thirty minutes. Open Mind Open Heart, the Contemplative Dimension to the Gospel by Father Thomas Keating served as our guidebook. It was a very meaningful experience for me and I think for many of the other participants.
The practice we followed was to read a sacred passage and meditate on it quietly being open and attentive to how God might manifest his presence in our lives. I will not forget the evening one of our members shared with us that she just couldn’t do centering prayer. She said despairingly, “I just can’t seem to do this. I start out repeating my sacred word . . . but after a little while I lose the word and find myself looking at a vision of myself resting at the feet of Jesus.” Although she found the practice very comforting and peaceful, she was truly discouraged it wasn’t going like she imagined it should. Not long after that, she passed away. Since that time, I have found myself pulled back to that evening. I believe that God was preparing Taffy for what was just around the corner in her life and spiritual journey. That in the silence of centering prayer, God was pouring out his mercy and grace in ways unknowable to us at the time. For me, it affirmed the Prayer of Quiet Confidence with which we started our sessions.
O God of peace, who hast taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and in confidence shall be our strength: By the might of thy Spirit lift us, we pray thee, to thy presence, where we may be still and know that thou art God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
