Contemplative Intercession
I have been asked to offer an approach to what is called Contemplative Intercession. Given the scattered nature of this part of the world, this may be enormously powerful as a contribution to the world of The Spirit, when for so many they ask me what they can actually do in a world of incomprehensible suffering..... Following Columba indeed:
AN APPROACH TO CONTEMPLATIVE INTERCESSION
My offering is by no means the only approach to intercession and it is not important to treat it as a method. This approach to intercession provides a framework which you can adapt for your own or others circumstances, particularly for praying for a person in need, or some specific circumstance. Because it is contemplative, it needs more time than mentioning names on a list, important though that is. Indeed, there are those who called to give their lives and their time in this way. The holiness of it is in the fact that it is a hidden service.
The principles that lie behind this approach are based on your own desire for intercession yourself and that you are participating in the mystery of God’s presence in which you are cooperating...that is...it is an activity of love.
The word ‘Intercession’ means to move into the middle of…. To move from where you are in order to love ‘The Other’, whoever or whatever that ‘other’ may be. This is work and sometimes hard work which can be tiring. After all, one of the basic principles of Christian spirituality is that through our Baptism, we are charged with the responsibility of carrying within ourselves the pain and alienation of others. Frankly, it is the Christian’s job! This is not through some particular skill or developed ability of our own, but through the grace of the sacramental life of the Church. Indeed, it is a command – the new commandment to love one another. That means giving time in silence to pray deeply for others.
So:
I. Become aware of your body and its position....your breathing. Don’t struggle...move on to what feelings you may have: pleasant/difficult...indifference/anxious etc. Don’t struggle...move on to what your desires are...things/problems to be solved...people/yourself etc...move on to your thoughts...watch them pass in front of you...don’t judge….
2. Recall an occasion recently when you were able to ‘touch’ someone...give them a simple act of love. Enjoy it, as you remember. This brings a sense of the creative power of Christ into the moment.
3. Express your need of Jesus. Ask for his forgiveness for the ways in which you may have blocked his love and creativity. Indeed imagine, feel Christ with you. Do not be afraid of any image of Christ that may come to your imagination. Maybe it’s not an image. Maybe it is a sense of ‘presence’, ‘acceptance’ – of being loved….. Maybe it’s both image and feeling. Maybe it is neither of these. The silence itself is the act of faith in Christ’s presence with you now.
4. Picture (or name in the silence) the persons, groups, etc for whom you are praying. Take your time. Flood them with the Light of Christ, or His Warmth, surround them with his arms, look at them with His eyes, touch them....which ever comes easily to you. Either feel, visualise or think the situation in which these people or peoples are.
5. What do you want Jesus to do for them ? Laying on of
hands…. What is Christ saying to them….? Maybe it is simply the love of His Presence…. Take time over this period of your prayer, as you would over the care and love of someone whom you are with physically.
6. Let the people or concerns now pass in front and away from you. Give thanks always for the presence of Christ that you have focused on in your intercession. The rest is in the mystery of God’s love.
+Martin
Argylland The Isles
AN APPROACH TO CONTEMPLATIVE INTERCESSION
My offering is by no means the only approach to intercession and it is not important to treat it as a method. This approach to intercession provides a framework which you can adapt for your own or others circumstances, particularly for praying for a person in need, or some specific circumstance. Because it is contemplative, it needs more time than mentioning names on a list, important though that is. Indeed, there are those who called to give their lives and their time in this way. The holiness of it is in the fact that it is a hidden service.
The principles that lie behind this approach are based on your own desire for intercession yourself and that you are participating in the mystery of God’s presence in which you are cooperating...that is...it is an activity of love.
The word ‘Intercession’ means to move into the middle of…. To move from where you are in order to love ‘The Other’, whoever or whatever that ‘other’ may be. This is work and sometimes hard work which can be tiring. After all, one of the basic principles of Christian spirituality is that through our Baptism, we are charged with the responsibility of carrying within ourselves the pain and alienation of others. Frankly, it is the Christian’s job! This is not through some particular skill or developed ability of our own, but through the grace of the sacramental life of the Church. Indeed, it is a command – the new commandment to love one another. That means giving time in silence to pray deeply for others.
So:
I. Become aware of your body and its position....your breathing. Don’t struggle...move on to what feelings you may have: pleasant/difficult...indifference/anxious etc. Don’t struggle...move on to what your desires are...things/problems to be solved...people/yourself etc...move on to your thoughts...watch them pass in front of you...don’t judge….
2. Recall an occasion recently when you were able to ‘touch’ someone...give them a simple act of love. Enjoy it, as you remember. This brings a sense of the creative power of Christ into the moment.
3. Express your need of Jesus. Ask for his forgiveness for the ways in which you may have blocked his love and creativity. Indeed imagine, feel Christ with you. Do not be afraid of any image of Christ that may come to your imagination. Maybe it’s not an image. Maybe it is a sense of ‘presence’, ‘acceptance’ – of being loved….. Maybe it’s both image and feeling. Maybe it is neither of these. The silence itself is the act of faith in Christ’s presence with you now.
4. Picture (or name in the silence) the persons, groups, etc for whom you are praying. Take your time. Flood them with the Light of Christ, or His Warmth, surround them with his arms, look at them with His eyes, touch them....which ever comes easily to you. Either feel, visualise or think the situation in which these people or peoples are.
5. What do you want Jesus to do for them ? Laying on of
hands…. What is Christ saying to them….? Maybe it is simply the love of His Presence…. Take time over this period of your prayer, as you would over the care and love of someone whom you are with physically.
6. Let the people or concerns now pass in front and away from you. Give thanks always for the presence of Christ that you have focused on in your intercession. The rest is in the mystery of God’s love.
+Martin
Argylland The Isles
posted by Martin at 9:20 am
7 Comments:
Welcome back!
Thank you for the reminder that it can be easy to block Christ's love and creativity. Too often I imagine that I know what action is needed to relieve a particular situation but my well meaning intervention remains apparently ineffective... On the matter of praying through lists. How does it help to rattle through a list of the names of total strangers? I've always struggled with this and yet it is such a widespread practice that that I feel sure I must be missing something.
Thank you for this, Martin. It is particularly effective after listening to John Humphries' talk with +Rowan this morning on R4.
I too am interested in the "list" question - something I do, but which can feel very "auto-pilot". Or is it a matter of simply ushering each person into the presence of God for a moment? Like when you introduce a friend to another instead of just letting them smile vaguely at each other?
Thank you + Martin
Wonderful !
About lists...one thing I've tried is writing the names out by hand ,lovingly, on cards in groups of eight or less, just about what you can apprehend at a single glance. Then at each office or time of prayer having the cards on hand in turn. At the offertory a card is placed on the altar near the corporal. Some of the Common worship eucharistic prayers have restored the ancient practice of icluding the names of the living wihin the action of the eucharist where they can be remembered within the context of the sacramental Presence. When I place the fraction of the Host into the chalice I say silently the names of those in particular need, their suffering is then held and offered sacramentally in His shed blood
If anyone is out there today please pray for wee Kyle aged 4 undergoing surgery at Yorkhill today. Thanks
Intercession?
i carry your heart with me( i carry it in my heart)
Thank you for this, Martin. I often feel my prayers are inadequate, but I do use the visualisation method when praying for people. I'm going to try to develop it now!
Thanks Clare, I guess that in asking the question i was starting to realise that I should be putting more effort into it. But there are so many lists.
I came across your blog by accident, Martin. A link from Gareth Saunders to Kelvin to you. I am just loving your input.
As I read your thoughts on intercessions I was picturing it with 'the eyes of the heart' and realising that I use the Celtic Caim as I pray for others. 'Circle them Lord. Keep faith in and doubt out......Circle them Lord. Keep ....in and ....out.'And I became aware of (again with the eyes of the heart) a beam of light making its web tight and secure around the person - tightly held in the love of God. Maybe that is a little of what you mean?
We used this method for our group intercessions in the Saturday evening vigil at Carmel. We found it very 'real' and it gave depth to our prayers.Thank you Martin, from us all at Carmel.
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