PRAYER: DESCEND FROM THE MIND INTO THE HEART
In the Eastern Orthodox Church, it is held that the human person is created with two centers of consciousness: The mind always processing and the heart intuitively knowing.
As a result of the fall, the elevation of our discursive reasoning (the rational mind) became more and more the primary means of all information that comes to us from the world (the five senses), living entirely in our heads producing the autonomous individual which is the very nature of our fallenness.
St. Theophan the Recluse calls the head (the mind) a crowded rag market where there is no end to our thoughts. They are always in the head, chasing one another, difficult to control, and not possible to pray to God there.
Saint Paul tells us that Christ dwells in the heart, the center of consciousness, where one experiences noetic perception. “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me…” (Galatians 2:20); “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your heart (nous)…. (Rom12:2).
By descending into the heart with our mind, we encounter God’s Spirit who brings us the Word (Christ). It is there that man has this “noetic faculty” to perceive the eternal truth of what is right or wrong, good or evil. One could say “it knows.” In Genesis 3: 22 “Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like One of Us, to know good and evil.”
Psalm 142
Lord, hear my prayer. In your truth, give ear to my supplications; in your righteousness, hear me. And enter not into judgment with your servant, for no one living is justified in your sight.
CHOOSE NOT TO FEAR: Fear restricts your freedom to be all you can be. It is often the cause of doubt, mistrust, indecision, suffering, and much more.
1 John 4:18: “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.”
John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
Psalm 142 continued….
For the enemy has pursued my soul; he has crushed my life to the ground; he has made me dwell in darkness, like those who have long been dead, and my spirit is overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is distressed.
I remembered the days of old; I meditated on all your works; I pondered on the work of your hands. I spread out my hands to you; my soul longs for you like a thirsty land. Lord, hear me quickly; my spirit fails.
SPEAK AND BELIEVE IN THE TRUTH: We are conspiring with ourselves to confirm our myths. We create our reality by choosing and redefining the “god” that fits our lifestyle. Your heart knows what is right from wrong, good from evil. The truth frees us from the slavery of sin, the prison of self-centeredness.
Ephesians 4:14-15 14: that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—
John 8:32: “And you shall know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Psalm 142 continued….
Turn not your face away from me, lest I be like those who go down into the pit. Let me hear your mercy in the morning, for in you I have put my trust. Lord, teach me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to you.
LET GO OF CONTROL: Life without embracing and trusting in the Lords flight plan can most often lead to experiences beyond our control. It is you that pilots your ship, however sometimes we need to make that leap of faith and hand over the controls for a better landing.
John 8:31: The Word of God implies “I have come to free you, not to enslave you.”
Psalm16:1: “Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust.”
Psalm34:8: “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!”
Psalm 7:1 “O Lord my God, in You I put my trust; Save me from all those who persecute me; And deliver me.”
Psalm 142 continued….
Rescue me, Lord, from my enemies; to you have I fled for refuge. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Your good Spirit shall lead me on a level path; Lord, for your name’s sake, you shall preserve my life.
WATCH GOD WORK: Often, amazing responses or resolutions occur to what seem to be unsolvable problems. Stand back and “be still and know that I AM God” (Psalm 46:10) who is always working for you.
2 Corinthians 4:15: “For all things are for your sakes that grace having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.”
2 Corinthians 13:14 “May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”
Psalm 142 continued….
In your righteousness, you shall bring my soul out of trouble, and in your mercy, you shall utterly destroy my enemies. And you shall destroy all those who afflict my soul, for I am your servant.
