CLFM: tues 11.20.07

Prayer

Benefits of a prayer life
1. Removes the habit of self-reliance and cynicism
2. Engages out will with God's and God's purpose
3. Conforms our hearts and attitudes to Christ's
4. Builds our faith and makes spiritual world real
5. Trains us in hearing and knowing God's voice

Qualities of healthy communications
1. It is two way
2. It respects the other
3. It is intimate and honest

Five ways o pray
1. Basic prayer
2. Praying the pslams
3. Memorized or written prayers
4. Ignatian prayer of Examen
5. Centering prayer

Five guides to discernment
1. The Holy Spirit
2. Scripture
3. The Christian community
   -Both recipient and the filter for discernment
   -Provides important checks and balances
   -A community that seeks God together
     -must be "safe"
     -Must be challneging
     -Members need to be honest
4. Reason and Experience
   -John Cassian's tests for weighing options
5. Solitude and silence
   -noise shuts out the voice of God