Photo by Rawdon Hayne, with many thanks.
We all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image (2 Colossians 3:18; NIV).
Contemplation is the slow, patient repetition of these steps:
1. Make yourself comfortable, sitting or lying in a place where you will not be disturbed.
2. Ask God to bless your time of contemplation.
3. Rest in God’s presence within and around you.
4. Focus your mind, heart and soul on loving God, drinking him in with every in-breath.
5. Repeat, ‘Abba’, or ‘Father’, silently, on every out-breath.
6. When anything comes into your mind, pray about it briefly and simply. Just a sentence or two is all that’s needed.
7. Then leave the matter in God’s hands, letting it go completely. He knows all about it.
8. Return to resting quietly in him, as before.
9. When you are ready to stop, thank God for your period of contemplation, then continue with your day.
References
1. Sit alone in silence (Lamentations 3:28; NIV).
2. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord (Psalm 19:14; NLT).
3. You are the temple of the living God (Luke 17:21; NKJV).
Surely the Lord is in this place, and I wasn’t even aware of it (Genesis 28:16; NLT).
4. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind (Luke 10:27; NLT).
5. God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father” (Galatians 4:6; NLT).
6. Pray about everything (Philippians 4:6; NLT).
When you pray, don’t babble on (Matthew 6:7; NLT).
7. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord (Psalm 139:4; NLT).
8. Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength (Isaiah 30:15; NLT).
9. Thank him for all he has done (Philippians 4:6; NLT).