Contemplative Practices Workshop by Elizabeth Davis, MA, LPC-S Counselor Rockwall / Heath, Texas www.EmbraceNewLife.com

1. Desert Rose
Loves the Son.
Thrives in Droughts.
Fruitful & Flowering.
February 1, 8, 15, 22 2018
Goal: Securely Attach to Father
Spiritual Disciplines:
Lectio Divina
Contemplative Prayer
Living in HIS Presence
Walking the Labyrinth
Be Still Breathe

2. We are your Sisters in Christ.
You Belong.
You are Loved.
You are Free to be who Christ designed you to be.

3. Our goal is to help women develop a secure attachment bond to our Father in Heaven,
so that they may live each Moment in His Presence. We believe that every Child of God
has a Divine Destiny and Purpose. These contemplative practices are designed to
facilitate a Heavenly Connection (Prayer) where Father and Child can embrace and
walk in Destiny and Purpose.
10 Healing Foundations
1. God is good. Satan is bad.
2. Your freedom is God’s will.
3. We have hidden enemies.
4. Issues are not random.
5. There is always a reason.
6. Prisoners and captives.
7. Partners with God.
8. A culture of honor.
9. Apply God’s solutions.
10. An event & a process.
the Body Temple
Prefrontal Lobe
MammalianBrain
Rep�lianBrain
Neo-Cortex
MNow
Past Future
“Know ye not that ye are the
temple of God, and that the
Spirit of God dwelleth
in you ?”--I Corinthians 3:16
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4. In Christianity, Lectio Divina (Latin for “Divine Reading”) is a traditional
Benedictine practice of scriptural reading, meditation and prayer intended
to promote communion with God and to increase the knowledge of God's
Word. It does not treat Scripture as texts to be studied, but as the Living Word.
Lectio Divina
Step 1
Lectio (”read”)
In order to achieve a calm and tranquil
state of mind, preparation before Lectio
Divina is recommended. The biblical
reference for preparation via
stillness is Psalm 46:10: "Be still,
and know that I am God." An example
would be sitting quietly and in silence
before the Lord. Reader Reads Slowly.
Allow Scripture to flow into
mind & body. Wait 1 minute & share.
Step 2
Meditatio (”meditate”)
When the passage is read, it is generally
advised not to try to assign a meaning
to it, but to wait for the action of the
Holy Spirit to illuminate a word(s)
or image related to the scripture.
Place yourself near the illuminated
word or image but keep the mind
open and allow the Holy Spirit to
inspire a personal meaning for it.
Wait 1 minute and share.
Step 3
Oratio(”pray”)
Prayer is a loving conversation with
Father. He has invited us into an
Embrace - “Come Unto Me” -Matthew
11:21A. In this step visualize Jesus, who
is “God with us”, present in the illuminated
scripture word(s) or image. Allow the Holy
Spirit to illuminate Christ’s presence with
You and notice what you hear or see.
Wait 1 minute and share.
Step 4
Contemplatio (”contemplate”)
prayer is not a speech; it is
relational kindling that feeds the
fire of love between Father and His
children. In this silence, unbearable
to the "outer" man, The Sprit speaks
Words of Comfort, Wisdom. advocacy and
Direction. ponder on how
His Living Word will incarnate in your life
after you leave tonight. Wait 1 minute & share.
Contemplative Prayer
Step 1
Ask & Pray
Ask The Holy Spirit for a Sacred Word or Symbol.
Pray to Father and express your Consent to Inner Purification,
His Presence, and Union with Him.
Step 2
Settle, Agree, Speak, & Await
Settle your mind, Close your eyes, sit comfortably and silently.
Agree with the Holy Spirit on your sacred Word , Scripture or
Biblical Image and draw all your focus to it.
Speak your Consent to the Holy Spirit for Purification, His
Presence, & Union with Him.
Posture your Body & Heart in a waiting posture.
Step 3
Return Within
When you become aware of distracted thoughts,
Ever-So-Gently Return to your Sacred Word, scripture
or Biblical Image.
Step 4
Return With
At the end of the prayer period, remain in silence with eyes
closed for a couple of minutes. Share your Experience.
.
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5. Prayer Shield
Ephesians 6:18 MSG: “In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard
and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits
up so that no one falls behind or drops out.”
Instructions: Identify who you are praying for (ie. self, child, family, acquaintance).
Write scriptures related to petition (ie. protection, destiny, need). Place in your War Room
or other location to remind you of your heavenly prayer.
Prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge for Satan. ~ John Bunyan
If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our bodies. If they will perish, let them
perish with our arms about their knees. Let no one go there unwarned and unprayed for.
~ Charles H. Spurgeon
Prayer is not monologue, but dialogue. Gods voice in response to mine is its most essential part.
~ Andrew Murray
Don’t pray when you feel like it. Have an appointment with the Lord and keep it. A man is powerful
on his knees. ~ Corrie Ten Boom
Prayer is the acid test of devotion. ~ Samuel Chadwick
Prayer – secret, fervent, believing prayer – lies at the root of all personal godliness.
~ Williams Carey
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6. Instructions: Use your finger, stylus, or retracted pen and follow
the labyrinth pattern.
Prayer Labyrinth
Labyrinths have been used in churches for thousands of years. A Prayer Labyrinth
Involves 3 stages:
RELEASING occurs as one moves toward the center of the labyrinth. During this
stage, one sheds the cares and distractions of life and opens his/her heart to Father.
RECEIVING occurs at the center of the labyrinth; this is the time to ‘recieve what
is there for you’ through prayer and meditation on scripture.
RETURNING occurs as one exits the labyrinth and involves being mindful of Jesus,
God with Us !
Scriptural Phrases To Use While Praying The Labyrinth
My hope is from God.” Psalm 62:5b
“My soul finds rest in God alone” Psalm 61:1 NRSV
“In the day of my trouble I call on you, for you will answer me.” Psalm 86: 7
“God is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” Psalm 103:8
“God restores my soul.” Psalm 23:3
“God is the strength of my heart.” Psalm 73:26b
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7. Daily Prayers
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