Posted by jimB on 11/29/2008, 12:10 pm, in reply to "Prayer & the Road to Calvary"
68.165.62.103
Ray,
Paul was a poor Calvinist too. 
I am a lay mystic. That is, one who without a clerical or monastic life style follows a contemplative prayer discipline. As such, I experience prayer in a particular way.
Without discussing contemplative techniques, yes there is a mystical as opposed to mysterious relationship involved. In a sense, when I think of common prayer, that is liturgy, I think of a group coming together in a unity to affirm and seek relationship with God.
So, I agree with your pastor -- prayer itself has an impact on the person or group that is praying. The reason to pray is to become a person who prays. It is a paradox, but it is also true.
Every mystic experiences times that simply do not work, what St. John called "the dark night of the soul." These times can not be avoided, they can only be endured. Praying through them leads to becoming more of the person who prays and that leads to the relationship one seeks.
I am not being deliberately vague here -- words are a poor way of explaining this. I can point you towards what I think are the best use of words if you want to try to understand the contemplative road. They are available paperbacks so the cost is low.
FWIW
jimB
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