HEAL ME, O LORD, AND I SHALL BE REALLY HEALED |
Jer 17:14 |
The Way of the Christian Contemplative. |
Thoughts, Ideas and Prayers by John J Mercer |
Advent 1997 |
Any part of this publication may be freely copied and used, copyright John J Mercer |
| Acknowledgements |
| It would be impossible to acknowledge all those wonderful people who have given me ideas and thoughts reflected in this book. To them all I am extremely grateful. The book has been long in writing and has passed through many stages of development. I would like to mention specially, though, my wife Mary for her patience, support and encouragement. |
| Preface |
| I believe that there are many ways to gain a perspective on the same thing, just as there are many views of a mountain, even a Holy Mountain. This book is one view. It has been written from a very ordinary background, by a very ordinary person with all the attendant joys and cares of a family, a job and a mortgage. |
| One of the rewards of the spiritual journey is that as you cover old ground again you gain fresh insights based on your latest experiences. This book uses many ideas of the spiritual masters and the Saints that perhaps do not get so wide a reading these days. I hope that you are enriched on your spiritual journey. |
| The various parts to this compilation have been arranged in groups so that each can be read more or less as a self-contained unit. |
Please click on the hyperlink to go to each section
| SECTION FIVE - MEDITATION | |
1 What is God like |
30 Meditation - an exercise of the mind |
2 Mankind |
31 Meditation - Preparation |
3 What God thinks of us |
32 Meditation - Focussing down |
4 Judgement |
33 Meditation - Lectio, reception of the idea |
5 Suffering |
34 Meditation - Meditatio, dwelling on the subject |
6 The Bad News and the Good News |
35 Meditation - Oratio, mental prayer on the subject |
| 36 Meditation - Contemplatio, stirring our hearts | |
7 Loving - reach out and touch |
37 Meditation - Plenary |
8 Loving - forgiveness |
38 Meditating on scripture |
9 Loving - repentance |
39 The Rosary as a form of Meditation |
10 Loving - reconciliation |
SECTION SIX - CONTEMPLATION |
11 Loving - take up your cross and follow me |
40 Contemplative Prayer - the longing of a servant at prayer |
| 41 Contemplative Prayer - Preparation | |
| 12 Humility - the servant King | 42 Contemplative Prayer - Centring down |
| 13 Humility - serving God in simplicity | 43 Contemplative Prayer - all embracing Attentiveness |
| 14 Humility - serving God in relinquishment | 44 Contemplative Prayer - Plenary |
| 15 Humility - serving God in obedience | 45 Contemplative Prayer in Scripture |
| 16 Humility - serving our neighbour by submission | 46 Experiences in Contemplative Prayer |
| 17 Humility - serving our neighbour as a servant | SECTION SEVEN - COMMUNITY |
| SECTION FOUR - AT PRAYER | 47Communal Prayer - Preparation |
| 18 Walking humbly with your God | 48Communal Prayer - Meditation |
| 19 The Prayer of Abba Isaac | 49Communal Prayer - Contemplation |
| 20 The Jesus Prayer | 50Community - Mission |
| 21 Praying alone with God |
| 22 Simple Prayer | |
| 23 Thanking God | |
| 24 Blessing God | |
| 25 Adoring God | |
| 26 Praising of God | |
| 27 Petitionery Prayer | |
| 28 Intercessory Prayer | |
| 29 Vocal prayer | |