Armchair mystic ch2
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Transcript of Armchair mystic ch2
Chapter 2
Aunt Sally -The Four Stages
of Prayer
ArmchairMystic
Chapter 2
Four Stages of Prayer
ArmchairMystic
Chapter 2
ONE. Talking at God• Rote prayers – simple formulas - are the foundation
of my conversation with God. • The actual words aren’t as important as the
expression of the my intent to be in a relationship with God
• Saying ready-made prayers is not so much about giving God information as about performing an act of love for God.
• Using ritual nature of rote prayers unites me with millions of other Christians who will pray the same prayer that day.
Four Stages of Prayer
ArmchairMystic
Chapter 2
TWO. Talking to God• As I mature in my relationship with God, I
become more comfortable finding my own words to speak to God.
• May be difficult because what I have to share may not always be positive. I may not be too sure how God will react to these feelings.
• I must take a leap of faith and trust that when God tells me he will never reject me, he really means it.
Four Stages of Prayer
ArmchairMystic
Chapter 2
THREE. Listening to God• Instruction – to learn how to pick up on
the ways of God, get instruction from those farther down the road of prayer
• Learning the language of God requires a good bit of personal experience.
• Many Christians never stop to listen to God: They’re afraid of what he might say
Four Stages of Prayer
ArmchairMystic
Chapter 2
FOUR. Being with God• Crucial moment when being in another’s
presence is more important than any particular activity (what I do is irrelevant as long as I can do it with)
• Presence brings fulfillment• If I am faithful to daily prayer times & do
not lose heart when it’s tough, I will eventually find myself in this stage.
Four Stages of Prayer
ArmchairMystic
Chapter 2
FOUR. Being with God• This stage is radically different from all
other stages because:– 1. it is not an action (like talking or listening) but
rather a state of being. Not what I do, but who I’ve become.
– 2. since it is not an action, it is virtually out of my control. I cannot make this stage happen. It must come as pure gift from God.
