Hello,
And welcome to Methods,
An exploration and guided prayer and meditation.
This method is called Christian Mindfulness,
Inspired by Rich Lewis and Brennan Manning.
In this method,
We'll explore how to embrace and accept the tenderness of God,
Not just as a concept in our minds,
But as a reality to be experienced in the depths of our inner being.
Through the embracing love of God and the power of the Holy Spirit,
By praying and meditating on these things,
Our desire is to internalize and surrender and experience these realities in our hearts,
And not just conceptually.
The method goes like this.
First,
Seek to be still in the presence of God,
And gently bring your focus to your breathing,
With your in-breath and your out-breath,
Remembering that the Holy Spirit itself is described as the breath,
Or the ruach,
Of God.
In these moments,
We welcome the presence of God,
Who is in us and all around us,
Through the presence of the Holy Spirit.
We're not in any rush to go anywhere or do anything else,
Just taking the time to dwell and to rest in the presence of God.
Now that we're still and resting in the presence of God,
We begin with this prayer.
Today,
Lord,
I accept your acceptance of me.
As you breathe in,
And breathe out.
Just notice any questions or commentary that might spontaneously arise in your mind in this time.
If they arise,
Then let them.
As you become aware of any thoughts or feelings arising,
Just gently allow them to come and go.
And return your focus to the words of this prayer.
Today,
Lord,
I accept your acceptance of me.
I confess that you are always with me,
And always for me.
As much as you're able,
Use these words to express your own heart to God.
But if you sense any resistance within your heart,
Try not to criticize yourself in any way.
But simply acknowledge with kindness your honest response,
And be aware of it.
I confess that you are always with me,
And always for me,
As I breathe in and breathe out.
I receive into my spirit your grace,
Your mercy,
And your care.
Today,
Lord,
I accept your acceptance of me.
Let that be your prayer.
And know that any thought or idea that's contrary to that is untrue.
If God accepts you,
Then how can you reject yourself?
How can you disagree with God about your own nature?
Today,
Lord,
I accept your acceptance of me.
When we reject parts of ourselves,
They get repressed,
And we don't see them,
Because they're down in our subconscious,
And then have the power to control our actions.
And when we reject part of ourselves,
We also disagree with God,
Who accepts all of us.
So any rejection of ourselves is simply a misunderstanding.
And when we can accept God's acceptance of us,
Then we can accept ourselves.
And once we can accept ourselves,
Those parts of us that we've repressed can come to the light and lose their power to control us.
God is the most gracious,
Kind,
Merciful,
And caring being who exists.
And she cares for you personally.
So in these moments,
Seek to accept and receive her grace and mercy at the very core of who you are.
If your mind wanders off,
Just gently bring your awareness back to the silence and presence of God here with you in this moment.
I receive into my spirit your grace,
Your mercy,
Your care.
I rest in your love.
Knowing that God loves you and accepts you for who you are right now in this moment,
You are free to rest in her love.
You might notice there's any struggling or arguments or questions that arise in your mind at this time.
Gently watch these thoughts come and go and return your focus to the love and tenderness of God toward you personally.
And these moments,
Continue to rest in the accepted tenderness of God toward you personally.
Now we can release the prayer and use these last few moments to simply enjoy being in the presence of God.
And now we close with a prayer.
Thank you Lord for the greatness of your love.
A love that is in us and all around us.
A love that we contain and a love that contains us.
We pray this day that you lead us into the depths and the wonder of who you are and the radiance of your presence that is all around us.
Amen.
