2. Four Stages of Prayer
ONE. Talking at God
• Rote prayers – simple formulas - are the
foundation of my conversation with God.
• The actual words aren’t as important as the
expression of the my intent to be in a
relationship with God
• Saying ready-made prayers is not so much
about giving God information as about
performing an act of love for God.
• Using ritual nature of rote prayers unites Armchair
me with millions of other Christians who Mystic
will pray the same prayer that day.
Chapter 2
3. Four Stages of Prayer
TWO. Talking to God
• As I mature in my relationship with God, I
become more comfortable finding my own
words to speak to God.
• May be difficult because what I have to
share may not always be positive. I may not
be too sure how God will react to these
feelings.
• I must take a leap of faith and trust thatArmchair
when God tells me he will never reject Mystic
me, he really means it.
Chapter 2
4.
5. Four Stages of Prayer
THREE. Listening to God
• Instruction – to learn how to pick up on
the ways of God, get instruction from
those farther down the road of prayer
• Learning the language of God requires a
good bit of personal experience.
• Many Christians never stop to listen
to God: They’re afraid of what he Armchair
Mystic
might say
Chapter 2
6. Four Stages of Prayer
FOUR. Being with God
• Crucial moment when being in another’s
presence is more important than any
particular activity (what I do is irrelevant as
long as I can do it with)
• Presence brings fulfillment
• If I am faithful to daily prayer times & do not
lose heart when it’s tough, I will eventually
Armchair
find myself in this stage.
Mystic
Chapter 2
7. Four Stages of Prayer
FOUR. Being with God
• This stage is radically different from all
other stages because:
– 1. it is not an action (like talking or listening) but
rather a state of being. Not what I do, but who
I’ve become.
– 2. since it is not an action, it is virtually out of my
control. I cannot make this stage happen. Armchair
Mystic
It must come as pure gift from God.
Chapter 2
