THE METHOD OF MEDITATION: #45-54
2) The Second Prelude is the step we take to ask God for the grace that we seek. St. Ignatius never hesitated to ask God for what he believed he needed so that he could be the best possible instrument in God's hands. His only desire was to attain "the greater praise and service of God, Our Lord."
3). The Three Points move us into our prayer session proper. St. Ignatius divides up the subject matter into three points, as a way of breaking it down into manageable morsels. We could do it in a way that suits us. In each point we ponder God's truth as it is being presented for us. We spend time comparing and contrasting, and deriving lessons for our own life. This kind of reflection, if done purposefully, will stir our hearts deeply, and we will be moved to offer God a response. St. Ignatius was adamant about tasting and relishing the truth in prayer.
4). The Colloquy is the time when we express the stirrings of our hearts directly to God in conversation. Through our sentiments, the Holy Spirit is beckoning us toward repentance, commitment, and action. Through this step St. Ignatius wants to make sure that we spend time in a face-to-face dialogue with God. As we become familiar with this method, we will speak directly to God as we reflect on His word for us, and listen to Him as well. The ideal would be to reflect and converse simultaneously. However, if we haven't spent much time conversing directly with God, St. Ignatius suggests that at least we end our prayer with a colloquy."
What is God saying to you? I see Your heart and you know the challenge it is to pull away from the world and develop a relationship with Me. Life passes quickly and before we know it, it is over. Cherish the moments that I give, make memories with loved ones, let go of the sin in Your life. Banish it from within, sin and I can not be together but it will require You to be engaged, it isn't a passive activity as some would have you believe. I gave everyone free Will to chose.
Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4b
Please read #45-54 from The Spiritual Exercises first, then read the Reflection;
(After pondering each bullet point, express your sentiments in prayer)
(After pondering each bullet point, express your sentiments in prayer)
http://spex.ignatianspirituality.com/SpiritualExercises/Puhl#c03-1234
"There are seven steps in the way St. Ignatius envisages the method of Meditation: preparatory prayer, two preludes, three points, and a colloquy at the end."
Teach me Your ways, O Lord, that I may walk in Your Truth. Psalms 86:11
"The Preparatory prayer is a significant first step. The Preparatory Prayer acknowledges God as the Sovereign Ruler of our life. In his words, "I will beg God our Lord for grace that all my intentions, actions, and operations may be directed purely to the praise and service of His Divine Majesty" (# 46). The context of our relationship with God is set at the very beginning: we are there on God's terms, and it is important immediately to declare our earnest commitment to the Lord. You can choose to use the Prayer to the Holy Spirit in the manual as your Preparatory Prayer."
Thank You Father, for gently teaching me my entire life. Thank You for engaging my senses, my intellect, and my feelings In my prayer time together. Thank You for always preparing the way, nothing is lost on You.
"The Two Preludes are preparatory steps as well.
1) The First Prelude is also known as the Composition of place. St. Ignatius was of the opinion that our whole being needed to be involved in our prayer. If utilized well, imagination can be an effective help to our prayer. On the other hand, it can be a source of distraction if it is not harnessed properly. In the First Prelude, St. Ignatius suggests that we create an image of the Scriptural scene or theme on which we will be praying. By situating our prayer within an image or context, our imagination becomes an active player in our prayer, and our chances of being focused and attentive to the Lord increase. Where the subject matter is not visible, as a meditation on sin, we can create our own image to make the reflection more graphic and concrete.
"There are seven steps in the way St. Ignatius envisages the method of Meditation: preparatory prayer, two preludes, three points, and a colloquy at the end."
Teach me Your ways, O Lord, that I may walk in Your Truth. Psalms 86:11
"The Preparatory prayer is a significant first step. The Preparatory Prayer acknowledges God as the Sovereign Ruler of our life. In his words, "I will beg God our Lord for grace that all my intentions, actions, and operations may be directed purely to the praise and service of His Divine Majesty" (# 46). The context of our relationship with God is set at the very beginning: we are there on God's terms, and it is important immediately to declare our earnest commitment to the Lord. You can choose to use the Prayer to the Holy Spirit in the manual as your Preparatory Prayer."
Thank You Father, for gently teaching me my entire life. Thank You for engaging my senses, my intellect, and my feelings In my prayer time together. Thank You for always preparing the way, nothing is lost on You.
"The Two Preludes are preparatory steps as well.
1) The First Prelude is also known as the Composition of place. St. Ignatius was of the opinion that our whole being needed to be involved in our prayer. If utilized well, imagination can be an effective help to our prayer. On the other hand, it can be a source of distraction if it is not harnessed properly. In the First Prelude, St. Ignatius suggests that we create an image of the Scriptural scene or theme on which we will be praying. By situating our prayer within an image or context, our imagination becomes an active player in our prayer, and our chances of being focused and attentive to the Lord increase. Where the subject matter is not visible, as a meditation on sin, we can create our own image to make the reflection more graphic and concrete.
2) The Second Prelude is the step we take to ask God for the grace that we seek. St. Ignatius never hesitated to ask God for what he believed he needed so that he could be the best possible instrument in God's hands. His only desire was to attain "the greater praise and service of God, Our Lord."
3). The Three Points move us into our prayer session proper. St. Ignatius divides up the subject matter into three points, as a way of breaking it down into manageable morsels. We could do it in a way that suits us. In each point we ponder God's truth as it is being presented for us. We spend time comparing and contrasting, and deriving lessons for our own life. This kind of reflection, if done purposefully, will stir our hearts deeply, and we will be moved to offer God a response. St. Ignatius was adamant about tasting and relishing the truth in prayer.
4). The Colloquy is the time when we express the stirrings of our hearts directly to God in conversation. Through our sentiments, the Holy Spirit is beckoning us toward repentance, commitment, and action. Through this step St. Ignatius wants to make sure that we spend time in a face-to-face dialogue with God. As we become familiar with this method, we will speak directly to God as we reflect on His word for us, and listen to Him as well. The ideal would be to reflect and converse simultaneously. However, if we haven't spent much time conversing directly with God, St. Ignatius suggests that at least we end our prayer with a colloquy."
Father, I am the clay within Your hands, You know my hearts desires and what it seeks. I lay myself at Your service to be used and placed as needed. You are the Great Teacher when we let go and just listen and be. Thank You for this journey called life that by Your grace it brings us together forever along with those we love.
What is God saying to you? I see Your heart and you know the challenge it is to pull away from the world and develop a relationship with Me. Life passes quickly and before we know it, it is over. Cherish the moments that I give, make memories with loved ones, let go of the sin in Your life. Banish it from within, sin and I can not be together but it will require You to be engaged, it isn't a passive activity as some would have you believe. I gave everyone free Will to chose.
Mary, Queen of Peace, Pray for us.
St Joesph, Most Prudent, Pray for us.
Viva Cristo Rey
Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4b
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