Formation Prayer
(I developed this guide for learning about and participating in formation prayer for our Adult Equipping Committee at Clear Lake Presbyterian Church. While I developed the exercise around 1 Thessalonians 5, the other examples are taken from chapter 6 of Prayer by Richard Foster. It is a fantastic book. I highly recommend it!)
1 Thessalonians 5:14-22
14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.
Take a moment to reflect on these two questions:
What does it mean to “pray without ceasing”?
What is prayer for?
Much of my life I feel like I am growing in and out of awareness of the presence of God in my daily life. Prayer is an intentional act of becoming more aware of God’s presence in and around us. Richard Foster writes, “The Primary purpose of prayer is to bring us into such a life of communion with the Father that, by the power of the Spirit, we are increasingly conformed to the image of the Son. This process of transformation is the sole focus of Formation Prayer” (p.58).
Classical Approaches to Formation Prayer
The Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola
Focus on our sins in light of God’s love
Focus on the life of Christ
Focus on the passion of Christ
Focus on the resurrection of Christ
Stained glass window in the chapel of Clairefontaine Abbey in Belgium depicting Ignatius of Loyola.
The 12 Steps of St. Benedict
· Respect God
· Not my will, But Yours O Lord
· Submit to one’s superior
· Embrace Suffering Patiently
· Be transparent
· Be content with lowly and menial jobs
· Interior Mediocrity
· Stay within the boundaries
· Control one’s tongue
· Avoid frivolity
· Speak clearly and plainly
· Seek Humility
The Little Way of Therese of Lisieux
Recognize our weakness, sin and our powerlessness over them.
Keep trying to grow in holiness through prayer, the sacraments and in the constant and sincere attempt to practice virtue, such as doing little things with great love.
Keep trusting and hoping in God’s mercy, that God will satisfy our desires for holiness, even if we don’t understand how, even if we don’t see it in this life, but in heaven.
St. Therese of Lisieux circa 1890’s Photo Credit
