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Contemplative Prayer 
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Joined: Thu Jul 02, 2009 4:35 am
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Post Contemplative Prayer
Is Contemplative Prayer wrong?
I say yes... because it's not based on biblically sound doctrine and it's derived from a form of Eastern Mysticism called, Meditation. It's being practiced today by many Emergent church, New Age and Charismatic leaders, and sadly now, even some Evangelical leaders, such as, Chuck Smith Jr., Beth Moore, Charles Stanley and David Jeremiah, just to name a few. For those who don't know what it is, it's a belief system that uses ancient mystical practices to induce altered states of consciousness (the silence) and is often wrapped in Christian terminology; the premise of contemplative spirituality is pantheistic (God is all) and panentheistic (God is in all).
I'm especially upset that many Calvary Chapels, which I always thought were based strongly in God's Pure Word, (Mine in particular) continue to use Beth Moore's teachings even though they know about her use of Contemplative Prayer.
Do you think I'm wrong to feel upset enough to leave my church? They have been made aware of how I feel, but don't think anything's wrong with it. They claim they won't allow it to be taught, but they don't seem to care if Beth Moore does it.
Is this not the little bit of leaven that can get in and leaven the whole loaf?
What do you think?


Thu Jan 26, 2012 2:53 pm
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Joined: Tue Jun 30, 2009 7:50 pm
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Location: Cumberland, NC
Post Re: Contemplative Prayer
Where this "contemplative prayer" business gets legs is that most people buy into it thinking that it means contemplating on God. And of course contemplating on God during prayer IS Biblical. HOWEVER, that is NOT what this "contemplative prayer" is.

In order to participate in this so-called "contemplative prayer" you must begin with “centering prayer". This is explained to the naive Christian as a meditative practice where the Christian focuses on a word and repeats that word over and over for the duration of the exercise. The purpose is to clear one’s mind of outside concerns so that God’s voice may be more easily heard. After the centering prayer, the Christian is to sit still, listen for direct guidance from God, and feel His presence.

This is no different than the Hindu religious ritual practice of repeating a mantra or chanting. Mantras are intended to deliver the mind from illusion and material inclinations. Chanting is the process of repeating a mantra. Now, in Hinduism, the Hindu scriptures of the Upanishads, the syllable "Aum", itself constituting a mantra, represents Brahman, the Hindu godhead, as well as the whole of creation. The Hindus believe that merely pronouncing this syllable over and over again is to experience the divine in a very direct way. Whoever is practicing this "contemplative prayer" is actually delving, knowingly or unwittingly, into the pagan practice of opening ones mind for demonic possession.

Therefore this business of contemplative prayer, centering prayer, chanting, whatever you want to call it must be confronted and put down in the light of Scripture. The LORD's prayer and many passages of Scripture such as, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7), CLEARLY show that Prayer is to be comprehendable communication with God, and NOT an esoteric, mystical meditation.

_________________
Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and the LORD Jesus Christ

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20; Ephesians 3:2,9)
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Thu Jan 26, 2012 8:25 pm
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