Wesley United Methodist Church
Open hearts. Open minds. Open Doors.




About Abiding Prayer
Abiding Prayer is a modification of “Centering Prayer.”  In Abiding Prayer, one seeks simply to respond to Jesus Christ's personal invitation to abide in Him through the Holy Spirit.  Christ says in John 15: "Abide in me as I abide in you.  Abide in my love."  The focus of Abiding Prayer is Christ and entering into mutual life with Christ during the prayer itself.  Abiding Prayer is a process toward attaining what Christ fervently prays for all disciples: “that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one.”  (John 17:22-23)

Analogies from nature can be helpful.  The first concerns two magnets and a magnetic field.  When positive and negative magnets are brought near, a magnetic field arises between them.  The two poles are drawn into union.  Just so, your heart responds like a magnet when God draws near; it stirs as a “spiritual field” is generated between you and God.  To abide means to remain in that field between your heart and Christ's heart.  That field is the Spirit of God's love.

A second analogy concerns the relationship between the sun and moon.  As you face Christ, imagine you are like the silent moon facing the radiant sun.  Seek to abide in Christ's love as the moon abides in the sun's warmth and light.  The shared light between you is the Spirit.
 
What is sought in Abiding Prayer is beyond words or images: it is pure presence and togetherness with and in God.  You may begin with words and images, but during the silent time of mutual life, when a subtle field exists between you and God, you may softly sense God with you.  You will not sense God's approach, but when your heart begins to stir, God is truly present.





Six Portals of Divine Communication
While in Abiding Prayer, God may softly yet directly communicate to you through any of the six portals of your soul.  When this occurs, stay in prayer; mediate on it only after prayer.

1.  Thoughts - You find yourself thinking new thoughts and words; they may be God inspired.
2.  Imagination - You enter an imagined scenario generated by God, who may appear in it.
3.  Will - You discover a greater passion for God and desire to do God's will.
4.  Feelings - Your feelings change; dark ones dissipate, while bright ones dawn.
5.  Memory - You remember times when God was there for you, which comforts and assures.
6.  Intuition - You have an indescribable sense of God's presence, which stirs your heart.





About Prayer
About Prayer
Prayer is communication with God in all its forms, from close connection to distant petition.  Honest communication is always acceptable to God.  What you pray reveals who and where you are.  Yet when you pray, regardless of your whereabouts, you enter an invisible realm between you and God.   Prayer, in seeking God, seeks also God’s sacred space, heaven’s safe sanctuary.  Truly, the only space in which you may encounter God is mutual space.  To know God means to be in direct relationship with God, a relationship which unfolds not only with, but somehow in God.  The state of your prayer-life is the state of your relationship with God.

Process of Abiding Prayer
1. Sit comfortably, with both feet on the ground, arms on thighs and close your eyes.
2. Imagine Jesus being with you; hear Him address you repeatedly: "Abide in me as I abide in you.  Abide in my love."  Let the entire prayer be God’s time for quiet togetherness.
3. When thoughts, feelings, images or desires distract you, very gently return your attention to Jesus and His inviting words: “Abide in me as I abide in you….Abide in my love.”
4. After twenty to thirty minutes of prayer, ask Christ to continue abiding with you.  Following a time of calmed reflection, open your eyes.