tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8231675684794699034.post4460727460687633797..comments2018-08-31T15:03:06.914-07:00Comments on Occasional Notes And Other Readings: The Prayer of the HeartBern Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12658407901437729774noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8231675684794699034.post-26374457706219166082009-02-04T21:55:00.000-08:002009-02-04T21:55:00.000-08:00In response to the last two comments:First, in the...In response to the last two comments:<BR/><BR/>First, in the words of a wise friend and spiritual director: “Proceed with caution!”<BR/><BR/>David’s Psalm 51 provides another helpful suggestion to pray whenever we are ready to reflect on our inner life:<BR/><BR/> “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me” (Psalm 51:10-12).<BR/><BR/>David also gives us another prayer of the heart in Psalm 86:11, “Teach me your way, <BR/>O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.”<BR/><BR/>When Jesus experienced temptation in the desert, His knowledge and application of Scripture provided the strength to overcome temptation and prepare for his preaching mission (see Matthew 4:1-17). <BR/><BR/>May you experience the inner peace and personal transformation that comes to anyone who responds wholeheartedly to Jesus’ invitation:<BR/>“Come, follow me” (Matthew 4:19).<BR/><BR/>When reviewing your questions, I also returned to Henri Nouwen’s The Way of The Heart and found some relevant passages that I will post in a separate blog entry for your consideration. Thanks for your comments!Bern Thompsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12658407901437729774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8231675684794699034.post-67165809666375638312009-01-29T20:29:00.000-08:002009-01-29T20:29:00.000-08:00if we are able to descend into our hearts and find...if we are able to descend into our hearts and find that it's full of interesting creatures both big and small how does the jesus prayer helps us bring unity and healing?<BR/>how far should we go into the jungle? Do we dare walk in to our own chaos?mertonsukihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09785214716764306827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8231675684794699034.post-7917289551887199862009-01-29T20:11:00.000-08:002009-01-29T20:11:00.000-08:00what if after you descend into the heart you find ...what if after you descend into the heart you find yourself in a jungle full of intersting wild creatures. what do you do? Do you dare to continue?mertonsukihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09785214716764306827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8231675684794699034.post-25093013650702254442008-09-25T18:02:00.000-07:002008-09-25T18:02:00.000-07:00sometimes it can be difficult to fully open oursel...sometimes it can be difficult to fully open ourselves up. Or, to genuinely pray with the heart. Thanks for this dad.melodyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06979175666163728567noreply@blogger.com