Prelude to Contemplation

We are told by the saints that in the highest form of prayer, contemplation, God speaks to us beyond words—wordlessly. We quiet ourselves to hear God’s “still, small voice,” and yet it’s wordless. Obviously, this wordless communication is more experiential, yet exactly what if being communicated?

It may benefit us to know some of what is communicated. Surely greater faith, hope, and love are communicated, but how is this experienced? What might we hope for and expect? While I’m sure everyone’s experience will be different, especially depending on their spiritual maturity, some may benefit from the following thoughts and prayer.

Faith is primarily communicated through a growing trust in God—in God we trust! This trust banishes fear—fear of the future, fear of loss, fear of pain, fear of rejection. The wordless communication of contemplation inspires us to fear not! Complete trust in God knows no fear and grows in a profound peace. As this peace grows, we more fully “hear” God’s “still, small voice” and are capable of responding to his promptings.

Hope is primarily communicated in the gentle assurance that we may indeed know and please God through his grace. Dwelling more completely in his peace and now able to discern more clearly his promptings, we are more capable of doing his will. And confidently doing God’s will is ultimately the source of our greatest joy.

Love is communicated through knowing God. As we grow near to God through our profound trust in him, as we grow near to God by finding joy in doing his will, we indeed receive the abundance of divine love that comes from approaching he who is love and the source of all love.

Contemplation can surely help us grow in peace, joy, and love. And, I believe, hoping for these and seeking them in early contemplation may help our contemplation as well.

Prelude to Contemplation

I quiet myself to hear your still small voice, a voice not so much of words as spirit.

My souls seeks a still, small place to hear your still, small voice. A bare candle-lit room in the deepest, quietest recess of my soul. Quiet and dark, away from distractions, like the bottom of the sea.

In this peace I hear your still, small voice, and you indeed communicate peace—the peace that comes with trusting you.

In this joy I hear your still, small voice, and you indeed communicate joy—the joy that comes from doing your will.

In this love I hear your still, small voice, and you indeed communicate love—the love that comes from knowing you.

Convey to me in this still, small place deepest peace, greatest joy, abundant love. For indeed, these are the answers I seek, these are the path you call me to follow, and these are the life I seek in you.

AMEN.

VW Malzahn

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