On page 84, in his chapter, “The Goodness of God”, Tozer captures all three parts of our Soul Project thus far. For our Soul Projects thus far, we have concerned ourselves with getting in touch with what we think and feel about God and ourselves, in order to develop our prayer life.
For part 1a, we asked the question, “Who or what is God to me?” We sought to get in touch with who God is to us, not the “right answer.” We want to continually ask this question of ourselves and God throughout our lifespan, for how we understand God influences how we relate to him, and he to us. We want to constantly readjust our vision of God in greater conformity to the truth of who he actually is.
For part 1b, we asked, “What is a human being?”, or, more personally, “Who & what am I?” Depending on how we answer and deeply understand the answer to this question also impacts our relationship with God (as well as others and ourselves).
Now, for part 1c, we want to begin to meditate on the question, “Just how does God look at me? How does God see me?” To guide us is Ignatius of Loyola, a 16th century Jesuit priest from Spain who developed what became known as The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. With his help, we can begin to practice looking at God looking at me. Or, perhaps to be more accurate: Looking at God looking at me looking at God. This is a strange concept that we will explore in greater depth, but the heart of it, we are asking, "Who is God and who am I? How do we come to gain our identity in Him?" We must reorient our understanding in accordance with God’s gaze. The Psalmist says, “In your light we see light.” Life is prayer. And prayer is an invitation from God to know Him - to experience Him. And this takes time, practice, commitment, and openness to God.
Let's begin to make a way in this prayer exercise. Here's what you'll need:
I assume that you are striving to set aside time to pray - to be with God - regularly. During your prayer times between now and the end of Thanksgiving break, strive to incorporate the following into your routine:
For part 1a, we asked the question, “Who or what is God to me?” We sought to get in touch with who God is to us, not the “right answer.” We want to continually ask this question of ourselves and God throughout our lifespan, for how we understand God influences how we relate to him, and he to us. We want to constantly readjust our vision of God in greater conformity to the truth of who he actually is.
For part 1b, we asked, “What is a human being?”, or, more personally, “Who & what am I?” Depending on how we answer and deeply understand the answer to this question also impacts our relationship with God (as well as others and ourselves).
Now, for part 1c, we want to begin to meditate on the question, “Just how does God look at me? How does God see me?” To guide us is Ignatius of Loyola, a 16th century Jesuit priest from Spain who developed what became known as The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. With his help, we can begin to practice looking at God looking at me. Or, perhaps to be more accurate: Looking at God looking at me looking at God. This is a strange concept that we will explore in greater depth, but the heart of it, we are asking, "Who is God and who am I? How do we come to gain our identity in Him?" We must reorient our understanding in accordance with God’s gaze. The Psalmist says, “In your light we see light.” Life is prayer. And prayer is an invitation from God to know Him - to experience Him. And this takes time, practice, commitment, and openness to God.
Let's begin to make a way in this prayer exercise. Here's what you'll need:
- Bible
- Journal & writing utensil
- Quiet, inviting space and time set aside with no distractions
- An open heart to receive from God
I assume that you are striving to set aside time to pray - to be with God - regularly. During your prayer times between now and the end of Thanksgiving break, strive to incorporate the following into your routine:
- Become aware of how you come to prayer: your inner disposition. Ask yourself this: "How do I come to prayer now?" You may consider prayer journaling, recording the date, time, place of your prayer and your self observations. That way you can return to your record of prayer in the future.
- Become aware of how you are thinking of God. Recall Lewis on “May it be the true I who speaks and the true Thou whom I speak to." Ask God for a GRACE (gift) you are seeking in prayer. This might mean that you would like to experience his Love for you more. Or, you may want to grow in your desire and love for Him.
- Begin to practice Ignatius’ Third Addition: “Looking at God Looking at You.”
He writes, "A step or two in front of the place where I am to contemplate or meditate, I will stand for the length of an Our Father, raising my mind above and considering how God our Lord is looking at me, etc., and make an act of reverence or humility." (Exx. 75)
Record how that goes for you in your journal. - I have provided some Bible passages - particularly Gospel texts - that you may want to use. Read and contemplate them in context. Isaiah 43:1, 2 ; Luke 15:11-end (see esp. v. 20); Mark 10:21; Luke 7:33; Luke 10:33
Be ready to report back how your experience went. May the Lord bless OUR time.
Note: I've provided a digital copy of C.S. Lewis on prayer in the resources page.