The Hsu’s Views

I’ve been working on an independent study class on Celtic Spirituality and Movements. I’m interested in studying spiritual formation, both the ancient monastic traditions as well as today’s neo-monastic thought. It interests me because I believe this is the piece that much of the church in the West (or at least N. America) has systematically forgotten in large measure. There have always been the exception; people who cultivated a deep and abiding faith manifested in a transformed life… but this has been so far from my own life and ministry.

My understanding of discipleship was primarily dependent on a set of materials that I needed to learn or that I needed to get people through. Discipleship was largely the conveyance of information, with the belief that that information would change a persons thinking and behavior. Today, thanks to a Monday morning study with a group of men, together working through Dallas Willard’s “Renovation of the Heart,” I think differently about discipleship.

Today, it is about the transformation of the inner self. “Spiritual formation of the Christian basically refers to the Spirit-driven process of forming the inner world of the human self in such a way that it becomes like the inner being of Christ himself.” (P. 22 - Renovation)

Prayer, as a spiritual discipline (or “spiritual practice” as preferred in today’s language) was a central element in Celtic spirituality. Specifically contemplative prayer… often in solitude. I like what Ray Simpson says in his description of contemplative prayer in his book, “Exploring Celtic Spirituality.”

“…contemplative prayer is the opposite of controlling prayer. It is fatally easy to project the unrecognized needs of one’s own ego into prayer requests. Prayer meetings or private prayer times then become dominated by human self-will dressed in religious clothing. Control is the last thing a Christian clings to in her or his journey into obedience. Contemplative prayer is natural, unprogrammed; it is perpetual openness to God, so that in the openness his concerns can flow in and out of our minds as he wills.” (p. 74 - Exploring)

The contrast between “self-will dressed in religious clothing” and “a perpetual openness to God” (and his will) is what struck me about contemplative versus intercessory prayer. I’m more used to intercessory prayer. And what causes me to sit up and think is that my “request for things” might reflect merely my “self-will.” How would that spiritually form me? It seems to me that a diet heavy in intercessory prayer alone will shape how I see God… alas, even use God.

I like the idea Simpson introduces about contemplative prayer being about a perpetual openness to God’s will. This is consistent with Willard on his chapter of transforming the will. He asks, What does a will or heart look like that has been transformed into Christlikeness? How is it to be characterized?

Single-minded and joyous devotion to God and his will, to what God wants for us — and to service to him and to others because of him — is what the will transformed into Christlikeness looks like. (P. 143, Renovation)

Contemplative prayer + joyous devotion to God and his will = transformation of the inner life.

I’ve been enjoying this book by the folks over at Missio Dei in Minneapolis. They describe themselves in the introduction as an “Anabaptist community, inspired by the Franciscan tradition, [and] a part of the new monastic movement…”

The Breviary is a liturgical book that captures some of their deepest held convictions. It is basically morning and evening devotions that help their community anchor their orientation toward Christ, a missional commitment to place and a focus on social justice. While designed for use with a community that does this together each morning and evening, I find it useful in my personal devotions, knowing I’m doing it with others.

You can thumb through the entire book, which has been posted online. (Click on the image.) You can also get an RSS feed, or read the daily entry online. Finally, to support their work, you can purchase your own copy from Amazon.

I was reminded of this performance by Andrea Bocelli and Heather Headley singing “The Prayer.” View and listen to the performance produced for PBS. Further details after the jump.

The lyrics:

THE PRAYER
(Carol Bayer Sager and David Foster)

I pray you’ll be our eyes, and watch us where we go
And help us to be wise in times when we don’t know
Let this be our prayer, when we lose our way
Lead us to the place, guide us with your grace
To a place where we’ll be safe

I pray we’ll find your light, and hold it in our hearts
When stars go out each night,
remind us where you are
Let this be our prayer, when shadows fill our day
Help us find a place, guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we’ll be safe

A world where pain and sorrow will be ended
And every heart that’s broken will he mended
And we’ll remember we are all God’s children
Reaching out to touch you
Reaching to the sky

We ask that life be kind, and watch us from above
we hope each soul will find another soul to love
Let this be our prayer, just like every child

Who needs to find a place, guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we’ll be safe
Needs to find a place, guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we’ll be safe

©1998 Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI)
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