Spirituality concepts and practices

Spirituality: Beginning to Pray

The objective of this study is to read the work entitled "Beginning to Pray" by Anthony Bloom and to state five important concepts for the prayer life.

Confirmation of Being a Sinner

According to Bloom, prayer is representative of an "encounter and relationship with God." (cited in Kopolus, 2005, p.1) as such, this relationship is one of depth and a relationship that cannot be forced upon either God or upon man but is such that begins with freedom that is mutual. In terms of absence, man is absent much more so than God. God must be acknowledged as power, truth, and merciful and prayer must begin with a confirmation that man is a sinner in need of the salvation of God and acknowledgement that man cannot live without God. Prayer is man's "humble ascent towards God."

The Need to Express a Longing for God

In prayer, man expresses his longing for a deeper relationship with God and his understanding that all man possesses is a gift given by God and signifying God's love for man. Prayers should be comprised of language and words that man understands. Prayers should be heartfelt and simple.

III. Three Types of Prayer

Bloom holds that there are three types of prayer, including prayers that are spontaneous, prayers; those that are very short and vocal; and prayers that are ready-made. (Kopolus, 2005, paraphrased) for example, the use of a short vocal prayer is such as the Orthodox Jesus Prayer which centers on the name of Jesus and states "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner." (Kopolus, 2005, p.1) This prayer is reported as "one of stability placing us directly face-to-face with God through a profession of faith concerning him." (Kopolus, 2005, p.1) the meaning of the phrase 'have mercy' is explained by Bloom stated to derive from the Greek Kyrie eleison. The work eleison is reported as derived from the word root for olive tree, olive, or olive oil. In the story of Noah located in Genesis 8:11, the olive tree twig is returned by the bird signaling the ending of the flood and meaning that God's wrath is over and forgiveness freely available enabling man to begin the future in a new state. (Kopolus, 2005, paraphrased)

Bloom also discusses the phrase "Lord Have Mercy' in Mark 10 and the Story of Bartimaeus as the blind man at the gates of Jericho whose faith in human help was lost and he was forced to become a beggar. Upon hearing that Jesus is passing the man cries out "Jesus, son of David have mercy on me" and when told to be quiet, the man cries out even louder. This is a profession of the man's faith and when heard by Christ, his sight is healed and Bartimaeus becomes a disciple of Jesus. God gives unto man strength but it is up to man to use this strength. (Kopolus, 2005, paraphrased)

IV. Management of Time

Bloom states that time must be managed if man is to establish themselves in the present and presence of God. Bloom states the need to be silent for five to ten minutes in prayer and the ability to do so results in the ability to pray in every imaginable situation that can arise.

V. How to Address God

It is important to come up with a name for God because without the right name for God there is no free access to God. For example, King David shouts in prayer "O You my Joy" however, just using the name of Jesus is probably the best name of all. However, in an ongoing relationship with God the individual has names of their own for God that makes the relationship with God deeper and much more personal result in a "real relationship with the living God." (Kopolus, 2005, p.1) Bloom compares men who build a relationship with God to the Book of Revelation Martyrs who stated "Great and marvelous are your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are your ways. (Revelation 15:3) and concludes "Search for a name, and if you have not named, do not be surprised that no one years you: you are not calling." (Bloom cited in Kopolus, 2005, p.1)