The Goal of Contemplative Prayer

The goal of contemplative prayer is to help us detach from the thoughts that fill our minds and particularly the ones in conflict with the will of God in our life. Our minds are overwhelmed with fears about the future and daily worries for family and friends. Contemplative prayer is the practice and discipline of letting go and releasing our troubling thoughts over and over to Jesus by quieting those thoughts in the silence. We learn to let go of every thought that deals with our past and future and we discover how to focus our minds on Christ in the present moment.

Our mind and thoughts are like a raging river flowing over a waterfall out of control and seemingly without end. However, usually the river eventually slows to a calmer state and likewise if our thoughts slow enough we can focus our thoughts and attention on the presence of God.

Contemplative prayer centers our thoughts on the love of Christ dwelling in our heart, and it forever changes the direction of our life and transforms us into the image and character of God.

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.  2 Corinthians 10:5