The Problem with Contemplative Prayer

Ep. 170: One of the greatest deficiencies in American Christianity is genuine prayerfulness, a failure to acknowledge a very real need to commune and communicate with God. It is clear in Scripture that the discipline of prayer is critical to the health of the believer but also the mission of God and how He responds to us as we speak with Him. In an effort to cultivate a culture of prayer in the Church, many theologians have written extensively on the subject of calling on the Lord in prayer. They have advocated and promoted churches and people turning to the Lord in the work of prayer. With that said, there are many theologians who have advocated for what is called "contemplative prayer," a form of prayer that focuses on the emptying of the conscious mind and on embracing the mystery of God. 

We have invited President of Living Faith Bible Institute, Sam Miles to discuss this approach to prayer and to respond to concepts authored by Richard Rohr, AJ Sherrill, Tyler Staton, Carl Jung and Sue Monk Kidd. Today we will be asking: What problems are there with contemplative or centering prayer? Does it honestly reflect prayer what the Bible says about prayer?

[osog]

Wow this was really insightful and well done. Thank you so much. Over a year ago the church we were part of started teaching contemplative spirituality and focusing on spiritual formation (silent prayer / breath prayer / imaginative prayer / Richard Foster’s spiritual disciplines / etc) and recommending books by John Mark Comer, Richard Foster, Ruth Haley Barton, and many others. Most people didn’t (and still don’t) seem to have an issue with it. I think it’s partially because Bible verses are quoted and it’s packaged as “silence and solitude” (which people assume means typical quiet time), or a deeper way to “be with Jesus” (which may sound good), so there’s no automatic red flags. Unless someone studies the verses in context on their own and sees how they’re misused, they assume the pastor and the church leadership are teaching truth. 💔 I appreciate you talking about this in such a clear way.

[JJ-fsfu]

Thank you for highlighting this. I’m seeing first hand the damage this can do churches as it can be extremely subtle. I’ve been searching for someone to raise the alarm. Thank you again

[viconmypc]

Awesome. Thank you for this! It could almost sound like a good idea until you finish out the thought and consider where it might lead. Thanks guys, God bless!

[hirgbls]

Thoroughly biblical. Helpful! Thank you.

[jennifercandace]

My church just introduced lectio devina at a night of prayer. My spidey senses were on full alert and i turned in my seat to see everyone thinking the same as me, only to see nothing but acceptance. My husband and i brought this with references to the dangers of it to our pastor who assured us that the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Not sure of our next steps but I'm watching everything now.

[StephenLoney]

I was getting led into this years ago. It was taking me away from scripture.
It ended with the thought "If I hear directly from God, do I even need the Bible?"

You think you are drawing closer to God while the opposite is happening.

Now, with my life being built on the Word, my life is blessed with peace.

[stepstruth]

Thank you for this. I live in the UK and a church I almost moved to did a so called "bible study" on contemplative prayer 24/7 by Pete Greig from Emmaus Road Church. After much prayer God has given me the gift of discernment and has protected me from deception. Why do some Christians who have a knowledge of the Truth fail to recognise a cloud without water when they see one?

[emilie]

Great episode. I’m so glad I found this!

[nancym]

Thank you for doing this. Very helpful.

[republiccooper]

I'm hearing the debate but it sounds very theoretical. Could you bring a case of someone being harmed by this practice? Like contacting a demon or losing sanity or any sending from the faith. I need something more concrete. Thank you.

[KingdomIsNow]

CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER IS NOT ROCKET SCIENTIST. Contemplative prayer is when the Christian believer is able to completely shut down their carnal mind, and is so astounded and mesmerised by the loving, forgiving, kind and benevolent nature of God, thus the worshipper cannot express what they feel in words, all that is left is to gaze upon the character of God in amazement and adoration. It is another form of deep worship devoid of the mundane. This is what "Be still (arrest the carnal mind), and know that I am God" means.

[PatW-upxu]

I have been part of a couple of comtemplative groups and I think this only covers half of it. Contemplative practices like Lectio Divine are about reflecting upon long passages of scripture in context. Defintely engaging the heart and the mind. I currently attend a Quaker unprogrammed meeting and there the understanding is that participants wait upon God to speak, typically through Scripture. For any Christians (especially from Charismatic backgrounds) this shouldn't be all that suprising. Mediative practices which involve clearing the mind can be incredibly helpful. Studies show that it helps concentration, improving empathy etc. Christians don't own this type of silent meditation, but there is a long tradition of it within the church and why not incorporate it?

[TIGERJoFo]

“I believed the voice of my belly.”


Paul- “Their god is their bellies.”

[colinfoster]

Thank you for this. It is in our church but more subtly which seems in some ways even more sinister as they promote this but use different words to describe it and then use this as evidence that it is not what it actually is.

[pinkglow]

What do you think of lectio divina? A friend is turning members of our church to this. It makes me very uncomfortable.

[cwilson]

The SBC/lifeway is completely overrun with contemplative prayers books...i always try an research anyone who i read their books, Jennifer Rothschilds newest book Heaven came to my local church as a bible study. It took some digging but she affirms contemplative prayer and kenosis theology. My mind was blown, then that just lead into research on the rest of lifeways main authors... priscilla shirer, blackaby the list goes on..i had nonidea this was so rampant in the church.

[SeraphimAprilthAD]

Are you guys Catholic or Protestant or Orthodox?

[logosflesh]

These folks don’t believe in the guidance of the Holy Spirit, which is all over Bible