We hear so much of ‘mindfulness’ today expressed as, “a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.”
But there is another mindfulness that we can use in prayer where words are almost secondary. I would call this ‘biblical mindfulness.’
The apostle Paul reminds Christians that they’re called to be mindful and live with an awareness of the present. In Philippians he writes, “complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind …... Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus
In another place Paul in writing to the Thessalonian Church exhorts that Prayer is one very practical way Christians apply mindfulness to daily life by saying “pray without ceasing.” I am sure that he did not mean an endless verbal outpouring.
I recall an old saint who when offering prayer in worship invited the congregation to come to God in an ‘attitude’ of prayer. Of such an attitude Billy Graham used to say, “Prayer should not be an act, but an attitude of life.” In a similar way, Mercedes Lackey an American writer suggests that we should “Assume the attitude of prayer and in time the attitude will become prayer.”
The third thing that Paul urges is found in those beautiful words found in Philippians 4:8 From now on, brothers and sisters, if anything is excellent and if anything is admirable, focus your thoughts on these things: all that is true, all that is holy, all that is just, all that is pure, all that is lovely, and all that is worthy of praise. (common english bible)
Some of the most beautiful moments of prayer for me have been those moments of silent meditation where I have allowed the mind of Christ to dwell in me richly. Francis J Roberts writes
If I choose to hide you away, it is for a reason.
I have brought you to this place.
Drink in the silence. Seek solitude.
Listen to the silence.
It will teach you. It will build strength.
Let others share it with you.
It is little to be found elsewhere.
Silence will speak more to you in a day
than the world of voices can teach you in a lifetime.
Find silence. Find solitude –
and having discovered her riches, bind her to your heart.
Why not try using the words attributed to St Patrick, to breath them in and then to sit silently allowing those words to become your attitude of prayer for the day.
Christ, as a light
illumine and guide me.
Christ, as a shield
overshadow me.
Christ under me;
Christ over me;
Christ beside me
on my left and my right.
This day be within and without me,
lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Be in the heart of each to whom I speak;
in the mouth of each who speaks unto me.
This day be within and without me,
lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Christ as a light;
Christ as a shield;
Christ beside me
on my left and my right.
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