Most offer prayer to God in times of stress and insecurity. It brings comfort and an awareness of hope and certainty. By taking the time necessary, we become more and more aware of how God is then with us. Centering/Contemplative Prayer (C/C) is a prayer style that maximizes our prayer commitment. Pastor Rob Carlson, one of the FBS Directors for Evangelical Mission has produced a Video Series to assist people as they begin to explore this intimate style of prayer with God.
Centering/Contemplative Prayer was reintroduced to the church in the 1970’s when people were looking for a way to meditatively be in God’s presence as Christians. Father Thomas Keating then began to share resources and prayer to show a new pathway to knowledge of God.
In fact, the practice is recounted for the centuries that led up to the Reformation as being vital to the spiritual well-being of Christians. It is a mystical, listening style of prayer that allows one to wait wondrously and patiently for God while simply listening for God’s dynamic Word. This awareness of God happens.
C/CP brings a quiet calm and peace to one’s soul. It is dramatic and inspires hopefulness. And, in times like these, the prayer style is most helpful for bringing impact.
One can practice C/CP alone or with a group. In the FBS, we use C/CP as what is foundational to our strategic planning process called, “Vitality”. Vitality, with continued C/CP helps a congregation also answer, “What does God hope for us?”
The Video Series offers simple and short videos. They are intended to help us to prepare and then step into the prayer as well as its relevance. Resources are given for further exploration including an app, books, and an important web site for more information. There are also C/CP groups scattered throughout the State of Florida.
If you would like to ask Pastor Rob Carlson about Vitality, or if you have a comment on this video series, please contact him at robc@fbsynod.org. Pastor Carlson will respond as soon as he is able. Please allow up to 5 days for a response.
If you have any another questions, please contact the DEM for your area: North – Pastor Rob Carlson (robc@fbsynod.org) or South – Pastor Khader El-Yateem (khadere@fbsynod.org.)
These videos are the creative property of the Florida-Bahamas Synod. You may not duplicate or utilize any portion of these videos without the consent of the Office of the Bishop.
Welcome to the VITALITY Resource page!
