Jesus Christ said, "Come and see" (John 1:39).

Many are unfamiliar with "contemplative" prayer. It is a lingering, restful prayer that helps us simply "be with/in God." We can be open to the Spirit and experience divine love in fresh, new ways. It is profoundly simple. These prayers can help us experience the Presence of God. Contemplative prayer (CP) can meet some of our heart yearnings.

Over the past thirty years or so, a remarkable spiritual renewal is now a global movement in "Contemplative" and "Centering" prayer movements. The Gospels are often a starting place. Many seekers also enjoy CP with the Psalms. These are the prayers of our hearts, when our feelings may be too deep for words.

CP is not a one-sided monologue dictating to the Almighty how we wish the universe to be managed. Neither is CP full of verbiage or giving the Holy One our prayer lists of perceived needs and desires!

CP is reclaiming rich prayer experiences through the arts of silence, stillness, lingering with simple Scripture phrases and words while praying tender names for God. Others pray through imaging themselves in a piece of scripture. Many find the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John full of beautiful stories helpful for their prayer. Growing numbers of seekers are discovering prayer through icons. Icons can offer a beautiful spiritual experience. The Greek word for "image" is "icon." We are icons of God, that is, in the divine image.

Others enjoy soul food through the ancient practice of lectio divina. Lectio divina is a slow and reverent reading and rereading of a sacred text. Rather than read ten pages of a holy book daily, people may read ten words or ten sentences in quiet and stillness.

The simplicity of soul food is found in these prayer basics. Perhaps it’s time to begin a new relationship with the Holy. Especially if you have experienced abusive and damaging previous religious experiences! Many say "I believe in God but do not trust God." Others are not sure if there is a Higher Power. Contemplative prayer is taking a gentle chance with the Sacred while simply "being in the Presence." This can begin a lifetime of spiritual renewal and healing.

Father Thomas Keating has been a significant figure in the resurgence of contemplative prayer. A wonderful book authored by Fr. Keating is Open Mind, Open Heart. The Contemplative Dimension of the Gospel (The Continuum Publishing Company: New York, 1997).

A valuable Internet resource is a posted article by Dr. Gerry May, "To Bear the Beams of Love: Contemplation and Personal Growth." at the ecumenical Shalem Institute of Spiritual Formation. This can be enjoyed at http://www.shalem.org and is a marvelous contemplative resource site.

"Come and see."

The author of this material is "Surprised by Joy" (surprisedbyjoy@yahoo.com). "Surprised by Joy" is an ordained UFMCC Christian minister who discovered that God is wonder-full to be with. It is our hope and prayer at soulfoodministry.org that all visitors will experience the tenderloving- kindness of God and receive spiritual food for their journey.