Step 1: Introduction to the Prayer of Conforming Union
Overview: The Transformative Journey of Conforming Union
The Prayer of Conforming Union represents a profound and intimate mode of contemplative prayer within the Catholic tradition. It's a spiritual journey where the faithful seek not merely to communicate with God but to deeply align their wills with the Divine Will. This form of prayer transcends mere petition or thanksgiving; it is an invitation to mold one's life, desires, and actions in harmony with God's eternal plan. The essence of this prayer lies in its transformative potential, guiding individuals to live out their faith with a heart fully attuned to God's will, thereby fostering a life of peace, joy, and spiritual depth.
This guide aims to unravel the rich tapestry of the Prayer of Conforming Union, shedding light on its significance, foundations, and how it can profoundly shape our spiritual lives. By embracing this prayerful posture, believers are encouraged to embark on a path of deep spiritual renewal, where every aspect of their existence becomes an echo of God's will.
Foundation in Catholic Teaching
The concept of the Prayer of Conforming Union, while not explicitly named, is deeply embedded in Catholic teaching and tradition. Its roots can be traced to the very heart of the Christian life—seeking to do the will of the Father, as Jesus Christ himself exemplified and taught. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) touches upon this theme in various sections, most notably in CCC 2822, within the context of the Lord's Prayer. Here, the faithful are taught to pray, "Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven," a clear call to align our wills with that of the Father.
This alignment is not presented as a mere act of submission but as a participation in the divine life. It invites believers to understand and embrace God's will as the source of true freedom, joy, and fulfillment. The CCC elaborates on this call by reminding us that Jesus, the Son, seeks to fulfill the will of the Father out of love, and through our baptism, we are invited into this same relationship of loving obedience and union with God.
The foundation of the Prayer of Conforming Union in Catholic teaching emphasizes a relational dynamic with God, where aligning our wills with His is not about loss of freedom but about entering a loving communion with the Divine. Through the Lord's Prayer and the teachings of the Church, believers are encouraged to see their lives as a partnership with God, where every decision, action, and desire is an opportunity to reflect His love and goodness in the world.
In embracing the Prayer of Conforming Union, Catholics are invited to journey deeper into the mystery of their faith, discovering in their hearts a profound echo of Jesus' own desire: to see the will of the Father realized in their lives and in the world around them. This prayerful alignment with God's will serves as a beacon, guiding the faithful toward a life that truly embodies the Gospel, marked by love, service, and a deep sense of spiritual fulfillment.
Step 2: Prepare a Sacred Space for Prayer
Fostering a Prayerful Atmosphere for the Prayer of Conforming Union
Creating a conducive environment for prayer is essential in deepening one's spiritual life, especially when aspiring to align our will with God's through the Prayer of Conforming Union. This sacred practice requires an atmosphere that not only minimizes distractions but also uplifts the soul and draws it into deeper communion with God. Here are steps to create such an environment:
Choose a Quiet and Comfortable Space for Prayer
Select a space where silence prevails, away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. This could be a designated prayer room, a quiet corner of your home, or even a peaceful outdoor setting. The key is to find a place where you can be alone with God, undisturbed, allowing for introspection and conversation with the Divine.
Eliminate Distractions
In our modern world, distractions are ever-present. To enter a deep state of prayer, it is vital to consciously remove these interruptions. This might mean turning off your phone, computer, or any other electronic devices that could divert your attention. The goal is to clear your mind and heart, making them receptive to God's voice and presence.
Incorporate Elements That Enhance the Sacred Atmosphere
Introducing items such as candles, religious art, or a crucifix can significantly enrich your prayer experience. These elements serve as visual and physical reminders of the sacredness of your prayer time and the presence of God. A lit candle, for example, symbolizes Christ as the Light of the World, guiding us towards the Father's will. Similarly, religious art or icons can inspire contemplation and a deeper connection with the saints and the mysteries of faith.
Commence with the Sign of the Cross
Initiating your prayer time with the Sign of the Cross is a powerful way to acknowledge the presence of the Holy Trinity and to sanctify your intentions. This simple yet profound gesture reminds us of our baptismal promise and the foundational belief in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It sets a tone of reverence and worship, marking the beginning of a sacred encounter with God.
Catechism Reference: CCC 2728
The Catechism of the Catholic Church, particularly in paragraph 2728, addresses the challenges believers might face in prayer, such as distractions, dryness, and discouragement. It encourages persistence in prayer, despite these obstacles, by reminding us of the ultimate goal: communion with God. This passage underscores the importance of a prayerful atmosphere, as it helps foster the focus and persistence needed to overcome these hurdles and align our will with God's.
By thoughtfully preparing a prayerful environment and beginning with the Sign of the Cross, we consciously step into sacred time and space, opening our hearts to the transformative experience of the Prayer of Conforming Union. This preparation, both external and internal, is a vital step in cultivating a deep and enduring relationship with God, where His will becomes our joy and our guide.
Step 3: Enter into Interior Silence
Embracing Interior Silence for the Prayer of Conforming Union
The journey into the Prayer of Conforming Union is a path of deep inward reflection and communion with God. This spiritual practice requires more than just an external environment conducive to prayer; it necessitates an internal transition to a state of profound silence and openness. Here's how to embrace this interior silence and acknowledge God's ever-present love and guidance.
Transition to Interior Silence
The first step towards the Prayer of Conforming Union is intentionally transitioning into interior silence. This involves more than just finding a quiet space; it's about quieting the mind and heart. Begin by consciously releasing any external distractions and concerns of daily life. Breathe deeply, and as you exhale, let go of thoughts, worries, and plans. This deliberate act of releasing helps to clear the mental and emotional space necessary for deep communion with God. Imagine each breath out as an act of trust, handing over your concerns to God, and each breath in as drawing closer to His presence within you.
Acknowledge God's Presence
With the heart and mind stilled, move to consciously acknowledge God's presence surrounding and inhabiting your very being. Recognizing God's presence is fundamental to the Prayer of Conforming Union, as it lays the foundation for seeking and aligning with His Divine Will. Remember, God is not distant; He is as close as your breath, deeply interested in a personal relationship with you. In the stillness of your interior silence, invite God into the depths of your heart. You might use simple words of welcome or scripture passages that speak of God's nearness to help foster this awareness.
Catechism Reference: CCC 2700 & 2720
The Catechism of the Catholic Church provides insight into the importance of this inward journey towards God. In paragraphs 2700 and 2720, it teaches that prayer emerges from the heart, the innermost part of us, where God dwells. CCC 2700 emphasizes that prayer is a conversation with God, and for conversation to occur, there must be listening and speaking. Interior silence is where this dialogue unfolds most profoundly. CCC 2720 further highlights that prayer is a gift, a covenant, and communion. By entering into interior silence, we open ourselves fully to receive this gift, live out this covenant, and nurture this communion with God.
As you transition to interior silence and acknowledge God's presence, you are preparing the soil of your heart for the Prayer of Conforming Union. This sacred time of quiet and recognition allows for a deeper encounter with God, where the whispers of His will can be heard above the noise of the world. In this sacred space, the soul finds the freedom and grace to align itself with God's desires, leading to a life lived in harmonious union with His Divine Will.
Step 4: Surrender and Openness to God
Nurturing a Heart of Interior Surrender and Divine Openness
The core of the Prayer of Conforming Union lies in a profound interior surrender to God’s will, complemented by an openness to divine influence. This spiritual disposition is not passive; rather, it's an active and conscious choice to trust in God’s guidance and to submit one's own desires and plans to His greater wisdom and love. Here's how to cultivate this essential attitude of heart and spirit.
Interior Surrender to God's Will
Interior surrender is the act of yielding one's personal desires, ambitions, and preconceived notions to God, trusting in His perfect plan for our lives. It involves a deep-seated willingness to let go of control and to allow God to lead the way. This surrender is not about resignation but about embracing a journey where every aspect of our being is aligned with God's will. It begins with a prayer of intention, where you explicitly offer your will to God, asking for the grace to desire and accept His will above all else.
To engage in this surrender, one must approach God with humility, recognizing our limited understanding and God's infinite wisdom. It means saying, "Thy will be done," not as a statement of defeat, but as a declaration of trust and love, echoing Jesus' surrender in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Openness to Divine Influence
Cultivating an openness to divine influence means recognizing that the Prayer of Conforming Union is primarily guided by God's initiative, not our efforts. It's an acknowledgment that true spiritual growth and union with God are gifts that He bestows according to His generous will. This openness requires a listening heart, one that is attuned to the gentle promptings of the Holy Spirit and ready to respond in obedience and love.
To foster this divine openness, make a conscious decision to be receptive to whatever God wishes to reveal or withhold, knowing that His timing and methods are perfect. This may involve sitting in silence, meditating on Scripture, or simply being present to God without any agenda other than to be with Him and to know Him more deeply.
Catechism Reference: CCC 2710, 2712, 2822
The Catechism of the Catholic Church provides profound insights into the nature of this surrender and openness. CCC 2710 teaches that prayer is a battle, not only against ourselves and our own inclinations but also against the tempter who does all he can to turn us away from prayer and union with God. The victory comes through perseverance, humility, and trust in God's will.
CCC 2712 highlights that prayer is a covenant relationship established by God within our hearts. Prayer as faith is both a gift from God and a response from us, requiring ongoing openness and surrender to His love.
Finally, CCC 2822 invites us to conform our will to the Father’s will, as Jesus taught and demonstrated. It calls us to embrace this surrender not as a loss, but as the fulfillment of our deepest desires—to live in love and harmony with God's eternal plan.
By embodying interior surrender and openness to divine influence, we align ourselves with the heart of the Prayer of Conforming Union. This spiritual posture allows us to truly say with Jesus, "not my will, but Yours be done," thereby entering into the fullness of life and love that God desires for each of us.
Step 5: Choose a Contemplative Focus
Selecting a Focal Point for Deepening the Prayer of Conforming Union
In the journey towards aligning our will with God's through the Prayer of Conforming Union, selecting a focal point for contemplation is a powerful way to deepen our prayer experience. This focus helps to center our thoughts and intentions, guiding us into a more profound encounter with God and His will for us. Here's how to choose and utilize a focal point in your prayer life.
Choosing a Contemplative Focus
A focal point in prayer can be an aspect of God's will, a passage from Scripture, or a specific virtue you feel called to cultivate. This focus acts as a spiritual anchor, drawing your mind and heart back to God whenever distractions arise.
Aspect of God's Will: Reflect on what you perceive as God’s current invitations or challenges in your life. This could be a call to greater trust, forgiveness, service, or any aspect where you sense God is guiding you to grow.
Scriptural Passage: Scripture is a rich wellspring for contemplation. Choose a passage that speaks to you deeply, perhaps a verse that reflects God's love, guidance, or the virtues He invites you to embody. Let this passage be a lens through which you view and understand God's will more clearly.
Specific Virtue: Focusing on a virtue such as patience, humility, charity, or faith can be transformative. Consider a virtue that you feel is particularly relevant to your spiritual growth or current life circumstances.
Utilizing Your Contemplative Focus
Once you've chosen your focal point, integrate it into your prayer by:
Meditating on It: Spend time quietly reflecting on your chosen focus. If it's a Scripture passage, read it slowly, allowing the words to resonate within you. If it's a virtue or aspect of God's will, ponder its meaning and relevance in your life.
Praying About It: Bring your reflections into prayer, speaking to God about your desires, questions, and the insights you've gained. Ask for the grace to more fully understand and embody this focus in your daily life.
Living It Out: Look for ways to apply your contemplative focus in your actions and decisions. Let it guide your interactions with others and your personal choices, becoming a tangible expression of your prayer.
Catechism Reference: CCC 2707, 2708, 2822
The Catechism of the Catholic Church underscores the importance of meditation and contemplation in deepening our prayer life. CCC 2707 and 2708 teach that meditation engages thought, imagination, emotion, and desire to deepen our faith, convert our heart, and fortify our will to follow Christ. It is an essential step towards the prayer of the heart, or contemplative prayer, which is a simple look towards God in silence and love, becoming attuned to His presence.
CCC 2822 further reminds us to conform our will to the Father’s in everything, as taught by Jesus in the Lord’s Prayer. This alignment of our will with God’s is the ultimate goal of our contemplative focus, guiding us to live out the petition, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven."
By thoughtfully selecting and engaging with a contemplative focus, we can enhance our practice of the Prayer of Conforming Union, drawing nearer to God and His divine will for our lives. This focused approach to prayer not only deepens our relationship with God but also transforms us, making us more receptive to His guidance and more aligned with His loving purposes.
Step 6: Deepen Interior Stillness and Rest
Cultivating Depth in Silence and Resting in God's Presence
The Prayer of Conforming Union invites us into a profound journey of interior stillness and rest in God's presence. This spiritual pathway not only leads to a deeper understanding of God's will but also fosters a serene communion with Him. Here, we explore how to progressively deepen interior silence and truly rest in the presence of God, as guided by the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Deepening the Interior Silence
Progressively deepening the interior stillness is essential for entering a more profound state of prayer and communion with God. This deepening process involves moving beyond external quietude to silence the inner voices of worry, planning, and self-dialogue that often dominate our minds. As this interior silence deepens, our hearts become more receptive to God's voice and guidance. To cultivate this deepening silence:
Begin with a Prayer of Surrender: Open your prayer time by surrendering your thoughts and worries to God, asking for the grace to enter deeply into His peace.
Use Breath as a Focus: Concentrate on your breathing to help draw your attention away from distractions and towards a state of inner calm. Each breath can serve as a reminder of God's life-giving presence within you.
Practice Patience: Deepening silence is a gradual process that requires patience. Gently return your focus to God whenever you notice your mind wandering.
Embrace the Silence: Learn to be comfortable in the silence, viewing it not as emptiness but as a sacred space filled with God's presence.
Resting in God's Presence
Resting in God's presence is an act of faith and trust, allowing yourself to be held and loved by God without feeling the need to do or say anything. This restful communion is marked by a peace and joy that comes from aligning your will with His. To rest in God's presence:
Acknowledge God's Nearness: Remind yourself that God is closer to you than you are to yourself. His presence envelops you, offering love and comfort.
Let Go of Expectations: Enter God's presence without a specific agenda or expectations. Allow God to lead the time you spend together.
Receive from God: Be open to receiving whatever God chooses to give you during this time, whether it's comfort, insight, or simply the peace of being with Him.
Remain in Peaceful Awareness: Stay in a state of peaceful awareness of God's love for you, even if you don't feel or perceive anything dramatic. The act of resting in God is itself a form of prayer and union with Him.
Catechism Reference: CCC 2721, 2822
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) speaks directly to the importance of deepening interior silence and resting in God's presence. CCC 2721 describes contemplative prayer as a communion in which the Father strengthens our inner being with power through His Spirit "that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith" (Ephesians 3:16-17). This form of prayer is a grace, a gift of God's love that invites us into the silence of prayerful contemplation.
Further, CCC 2822 reminds us of Jesus' invitation to align our wills with the Father's, as expressed in the Lord's Prayer. This alignment is not a matter of resignation but a joyful acceptance of God's will as our own, trusting that in His will is our peace (cf. St. Augustine).
By progressively deepening our interior silence and resting in the presence of God, we open ourselves to the transformative power of prayer. This journey towards conforming our wills to God's not only deepens our relationship with Him but also shapes us into vessels of His grace, peace, and love in the world.
Step 7: Passive Reception of Divine Guidance
Embracing Divine Guidance in the Prayer of Conforming Union
The Prayer of Conforming Union opens us to the subtle movements of the Holy Spirit, guiding us gently towards a deeper alignment with God's will. This section of our spiritual journey involves a shift from active seeking to a passive reception of God’s guidance, a transition that fosters a profound communion with the divine. Understanding and embracing this dynamic allows for a transformative experience in prayer, marked by an increased sensitivity to the promptings of God.
Acknowledging God's Guidance
In the simplicity and stillness of prayer, it becomes crucial to acknowledge God's presence and guidance actively. Divine communication doesn't always come in loud or dramatic ways; more often, it's the gentle promptings, realizations, or insights that softly emerge from the depth of our being. These subtle nudges are invitations to deeper understanding, greater love, and more faithful action.
Stay Attentive: Remain open and attentive to the small, still voice within. God’s guidance often comes in moments of quiet reflection.
Discernment: Learn to discern these divine promptings by comparing them against the teachings of the Church and the Scripture. True guidance from God always aligns with His nature and will as revealed through His Church and His Word.
Gratitude: Express gratitude for any insight or guidance received, recognizing it as a gift of God’s grace.
Passive Reception of God's Will
The essence of the Prayer of Conforming Union lies in a posture of passive reception, allowing God’s will to permeate your heart and soul. This receptivity is not a passive inactivity but a vigilant openness to God's action within us. It's about letting go of our own agendas and allowing God to reveal His desires for us in His timing and manner.
Surrender: Embrace a stance of surrender, letting go of the need to control the outcome of your prayer. Trust that God knows your needs and desires better than you do.
Wait in Trust: Be patient, trusting that God’s guidance will come in the time and manner He knows is best for you. Rest in the assurance of His love and wisdom.
Be Molded by God: Allow the experience of God's presence and guidance to mold your heart and soul, shaping you more into the likeness of Christ.
Catechism Reference: CCC 2711, 2714, 2822
The Catechism of the Catholic Church provides profound insights into this process of receiving and responding to God's guidance. CCC 2711 speaks to the battle of prayer, emphasizing the need for vigilance, trust, and perseverance in seeking God's will. It acknowledges that prayerful receptivity is often challenged by our own thoughts, attachments, and the temptations that distract us from God.
CCC 2714 describes contemplative prayer as a communion in which we "listen to His word and consent to His love." This form of prayer is an act of loving and peaceful attentiveness to God, where we become aware of His presence and action in our lives.
Finally, CCC 2822 reminds us to align our will with the Father's will, echoing the words of Jesus in the Lord's Prayer. This alignment is the ultimate goal of our prayerful journey, seeking not just to know God's will but to embrace it with our whole being, allowing His desires to become ours.
In acknowledging God's guidance and adopting a posture of passive reception, we open ourselves to the transformative power of the Prayer of Conforming Union. This spiritual stance does not render us inactive but actively engaged in a deep and trusting relationship with God, where His will becomes the guiding force of our lives.
Step 8: Embrace the Alignment through Love
Letting Love Prevail in the Prayer of Conforming Union
At the heart of the Prayer of Conforming Union is the profound and transformative power of love. This spiritual journey, while deeply personal, is not just about individual growth or enlightenment but about entering into a deeper relationship with God through love. In this sacred dialogue, love becomes both the path and the destination, guiding us to align our wills with God's in the most sincere and pure form.
Embracing the Simplicity of Love
Love, in its truest form, simplifies rather than complicates. It cuts through the noise and distractions of life, bringing us back to the fundamental truth of our existence: we are created by love, for love. In the context of the Prayer of Conforming Union, letting love be the driving force means seeking God not out of fear, obligation, or desire for reward, but purely out of love.
Simplify Your Approach: Approach God with a heart stripped of pretenses and complications, focusing solely on love.
Desire for God: Let your desire to align your will with God's stem from a deep love for Him, recognizing that His will is always directed towards your ultimate good and happiness.
Engaging in Silent Acts of Love
Silent acts of love are expressions of devotion that go beyond words or visible deeds. They are the quiet surrender of our hearts to God, the unspoken commitment to trust and follow Him, and the internal vow to seek His will above all. These acts of love are powerful because they are pure in intention and focused solely on pleasing God.
Offer Your Heart: Regularly offer your heart to God in silent prayer, dedicating your thoughts, actions, and desires to Him.
Practice Presence: Cultivate an awareness of God's presence throughout your day, offering each moment as a silent act of love and devotion.
Live Love in Secret: Find ways to express your love for God in secret, where only He sees. This might be in the form of sacrifices, small acts of charity, or moments of gratitude.
Catechism Reference: CCC 2712, 2719, 2822
The Catechism of the Catholic Church highlights the centrality of love in prayer. CCC 2712 describes contemplative prayer as an act of faith expressed as love. In this communion with God, love is both a gift received and a response given, deepening our relationship with Him.
CCC 2719 speaks to the indwelling Presence of the Holy Trinity in the believer's heart, emphasizing that contemplative prayer is a covenant of love established by God within us. This presence is the source of our deep and abiding love for God, inviting us into a relationship of mutual love and devotion.
Finally, CCC 2822 reminds us to align our will with the Father's will, as Jesus taught and exemplified. This alignment is ultimately an act of love, seeking not our own interests but desiring what God desires, because we love Him.
Letting love prevail in the Prayer of Conforming Union transforms our spiritual practice from a duty to a delight, from obligation to a deep and joyful desire to be one with God. Through love, we find the true essence of prayer and the heart of our relationship with the Divine, leading us to a life that reflects the beauty and generosity of God's love for us and for the world.
Step 9: Maintain Interior Stillness
Cultivating Silent Adoration in the Prayer of Conforming Union
Silent adoration is a profound expression of love and reverence towards God, characterized by a deep, wordless communion with the Divine. It is in the quietude of our souls that we can truly encounter God, allowing His presence to envelop us fully. This section of our spiritual journey invites us to sustain a disposition of silent adoration, where the soul's dialogue with God unfolds in the sacred silence, beyond the confines of language.
Embracing the Stillness
The practice of silent adoration requires an intentional shift from speaking to listening, from doing to being. It's a conscious decision to dwell in God's presence without the need to articulate prayers or requests. This stillness is not empty; it's filled with the fullness of God's love, waiting to be received by the open heart.
Resist the Urge to Fill the Silence: It's natural to want to fill silence with words, but in silent adoration, resist this urge. Allow the prayer to unfold naturally in the stillness of your soul, where the deepest form of communication occurs.
Embrace Vulnerability: Approaching God in silence means exposing the depths of your heart without the defense of words. This vulnerability is a powerful act of trust and adoration.
Resisting Distractions
Distractions are an inevitable part of human contemplation, but they don't have to derail your prayer. When distractions arise, see them as opportunities to return to God with even greater focus and dedication.
Gentle Redirection: Acknowledge distractions without judgment and gently redirect your focus back to your contemplative theme or the simple awareness of God's presence.
Trust in God's Guidance: Trust that God guides your interior stillness. The act of returning your focus to God, again and again, is itself a prayerful offering, a silent adoration that pleases Him.
Catechism Reference: CCC 2721, 2822
The Catechism of the Catholic Church provides insight into the challenges and beauty of silent adoration within the context of prayer. CCC 2721 acknowledges the "battle of prayer," the effort required to enter and sustain interior stillness in the face of distractions, dryness, or discouragement. It encourages persistence, reminding us that the journey of prayer is one of trust and continual return to God.
CCC 2822 highlights the ultimate aim of our prayerful efforts: to align our wills with the Father's, in a spirit of trust and surrender. This alignment is fostered in the silence of adoration, where we learn to listen for God's will and open ourselves to His transformative love.
In the practice of silent adoration within the Prayer of Conforming Union, we find a pathway to deeper intimacy with God. This sacred silence is not an absence but a profound presence where the soul encounters the living God. Through silent adoration, we offer our hearts as a dwelling place for God, embracing the stillness as a space where His voice can be heard and His love fully received.
Step 10: Conclude with Gratitude and Reflection
Concluding in Gratitude and Reflection: Embracing the Fruits of the Prayer of Conforming Union
The culmination of the Prayer of Conforming Union is a moment of profound gratitude and reflective contemplation. It is a time to acknowledge and give thanks for the grace-filled encounter with God, recognizing the transformative journey you've embarked upon. This concluding phase not only serves as a bookend to your prayer but also as an integral part of deepening your relationship with God.
Expressing Gratitude
Gratitude is the heart's natural response to the encounter with God's love and presence. As you conclude the Prayer of Conforming Union, take deliberate time to express your thankfulness to God:
Thank God for His Presence: Acknowledge and give thanks for the very gift of being able to sit in His presence, recognizing that every moment spent in prayer is a gift of His grace.
Be Thankful for Insights Received: Whether insights were profound or subtle, express gratitude for any understanding or realization imparted during your prayer. These are seeds of divine wisdom planted in your heart.
Appreciate the Communion: Gratitude for the moments where your will felt aligned with God’s is essential. These moments of spiritual harmony are significant milestones in your journey towards conforming to His will.
Reflecting on Transformative Moments
After expressing gratitude, dedicate time to reflect on the prayer experience. This reflective practice helps integrate the insights and spiritual movements experienced during prayer into your daily life:
Identify Transformative Moments: Reflect on any moments within your prayer that felt particularly impactful or transformative. What did these moments reveal about God’s will for you or your relationship with Him?
Contemplate Deepened Understanding: Consider how the prayer has deepened your understanding of God, yourself, and your call to live according to His will. Reflection helps solidify these realizations, making them more present and actionable in your life.
Look Forward with Hope: Use this reflective time to look forward to how you can carry the fruits of this prayer into your daily actions and decisions, fostering a continual growth in conformity to God’s will.
Catechism Reference: CCC 2716, 2719, 2822
The Catechism of the Catholic Church underscores the importance of gratitude and reflection in prayer. CCC 2716 speaks to contemplative prayer as a communion in which we know we are loved and respond to that love by loving in return. This reciprocal love culminates in gratitude, recognizing that every grace and insight in prayer is a manifestation of God’s love.
CCC 2719 reiterates that contemplative prayer is the life of the new heart, a heart that should always be oriented towards gratitude to God for His indwelling presence and action in our lives.
Lastly, CCC 2822 reminds us of the call to conform our wills to the Father's will, as Jesus did. Reflecting on and being grateful for moments of alignment with God's will are crucial steps in living out this call. It’s in gratitude and reflection that we find the strength and inspiration to say, "Thy will be done," not just in prayer but in the entirety of our lives.
Concluding the Prayer of Conforming Union with gratitude and reflective contemplation allows us to acknowledge the grace of God’s presence and the transformative power of aligning our wills with His. This practice not only enriches our prayer life but also deepens our journey of faith, leading us closer to the heart of God.
Step 11: Seek Spiritual Guidance
Embracing Spiritual Direction in the Journey of Conforming Union
The journey towards the Prayer of Conforming Union, while deeply personal, is greatly enriched by the guidance of a spiritual director or mentor. Spiritual direction serves as a compass on the path of deepening one’s relationship with God, offering support, insights, and a discerning ear to those seeking to align their wills with the Divine Will. This section explores the importance of spiritual direction in the context of the Prayer of Conforming Union and references relevant teachings from the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
The Role of Spiritual Direction
Spiritual direction is a form of mentorship where an individual, guided by a more experienced spiritual mentor, navigates the complexities and challenges of the spiritual life. The goal of spiritual direction is not to provide answers but to help directees listen more attentively to the movements of the Holy Spirit in their lives. In the context of the Prayer of Conforming Union:
Guidance and Insight: A spiritual director can help you discern the subtle movements of the Spirit, offering insights that might be overlooked or misunderstood when journeying alone.
Support in Challenges: The path of aligning one’s will with God’s is not without its trials. A spiritual director stands as a supportive and understanding guide through moments of doubt, dryness, or spiritual struggle.
Accountability: Regular meetings with a spiritual director provide a sense of accountability, encouraging consistency and perseverance in your prayer life and spiritual practices.
Seeking a Spiritual Director
When seeking a spiritual director, look for someone who is not only experienced in the spiritual life but also someone you feel comfortable being open and honest with. It's important that this person respects the teachings of the Catholic Church and has a solid understanding of its spiritual tradition. Many find spiritual directors through recommendations from their parish, retreat centers, or Catholic counseling services.
Catechism Reference: CCC 2718, 2822
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) underscores the significance of contemplative prayer and the need to seek God's will, both of which are central to the Prayer of Conforming Union and the role of spiritual direction.
CCC 2718 describes contemplative prayer as the union with the prayer of Christ insofar as it makes us share in his mystery. This union is cultivated and deepened through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, whom a spiritual director can help you to more attentively listen to and follow.
CCC 2822, reflecting on the Lord's Prayer, reminds us of the call to conform our wills to the Father’s will. A spiritual director aids in this process by helping you discern how best to live out this conformity in your daily life, making "Thy will be done" a lived reality.
Incorporating spiritual direction into the practice of the Prayer of Conforming Union enriches your spiritual journey, providing clarity, encouragement, and a deeper understanding of God’s will. This guided approach helps foster a more profound and intimate relationship with God, allowing His love and will to more fully permeate every aspect of your life.
Conclusion: Embrace the Journey of Conforming Union
The Journey of Open-Ended Exploration in the Prayer of Conforming Union
The Prayer of Conforming Union represents not just a moment of spiritual encounter but an ongoing, open-ended exploration of the soul's deepening alignment with God's will. This journey is marked by a transformative potential that transcends any fixed formula or outcome, inviting individuals into a dynamic relationship with the Divine that continually evolves and deepens over time. The essence of this prayer lies in its ability to foster profound spiritual growth and transformation, guiding believers toward a life fully immersed in and guided by God’s loving will.
Embracing the Transformative Potential
The Prayer of Conforming Union challenges us to embrace the continuous process of transformation that comes with seeking to align our wills with that of God. This journey:
Encourages Growth: Every step taken in the effort to conform our wills to God's is a step towards spiritual maturity. It cultivates virtues such as trust, surrender, patience, and humility, reshaping our desires and actions to reflect divine love more fully.
Invites Continuous Discovery: This form of prayer is an adventure of the heart, where the discovery of God’s will and the uncovering of our true selves happen simultaneously. It invites us to explore the depths of God’s heart and our capacity to respond to His call with love and fidelity.
Fosters a Dynamic Relationship with God: As we journey through the landscape of the Prayer of Conforming Union, our relationship with God becomes more intimate and personal. We learn to recognize His voice more clearly and to trust in His providential care with greater confidence.
The Journey of Conforming
The process of aligning our will with God's is not linear; it is a cyclical journey of seeking, discovering, straying, and returning. This open-ended exploration allows for:
Periods of Consolation and Desolation: Understanding that the spiritual journey includes moments of both consolation and desolation helps us to persevere in faith, even when the path seems unclear or difficult.
Renewed Intentions: Each day offers a new opportunity to renew our intention to live according to God’s will, regardless of yesterday’s successes or failures. This daily act of the will is itself a form of prayer and devotion.
Deepened Understanding and Acceptance: Over time, this journey leads to a deeper understanding of God’s will and a more profound acceptance of it as our own. This acceptance is marked by peace and joy, even in the face of challenges or sacrifices.
The Prayer of Conforming Union, with its open-ended exploration, is a beautiful testament to the dynamic nature of the spiritual life. It calls us to embark on a lifelong journey of transformation, guided by the gentle hand of God. As we journey, we are shaped and molded by His will, leading us to discover not only the depths of God’s love for us but also the unique ways in which we are called to manifest that love in the world. This exploration is not just about personal sanctification but about becoming instruments of God’s grace, contributing to the unfolding of His kingdom on earth.
What is the difference between the prayer of conforming union and the prayer of simple union?
The journey of spiritual growth within the Christian contemplative tradition often describes stages or states of union with God, each reflecting a deepening relationship and intimacy with the Divine. Two of these stages are the Prayer of Conforming Union and the Prayer of Simple Union. While closely related, they represent different depths of spiritual intimacy and transformation.
Prayer of Conforming Union
The Prayer of Conforming Union is a stage where the soul begins to more fully align its will with God's will, characterized by a deep desire to live in accordance with God's commandments and the teachings of Christ. It is marked by a loving adherence to God and a detachment from the things of the world, not out of a sense of obligation but out of love for God.
In this stage, the soul experiences a purification of the senses and the spirit, leading to a greater freedom from attachment to sin and a more consistent practice of virtue. The soul has a growing awareness of God's presence in all aspects of life and seeks to serve God in everything. This union is called "conforming" because the soul's primary movement is towards conforming its life, actions, thoughts, and desires to those of Christ.
Prayer of Simple Union
The Prayer of Simple Union, often referred to simply as "Simple Union," represents a further deepening of the soul's relationship with God, where prayer becomes more of an ongoing, effortless awareness of God's presence. This stage is characterized by a simplicity and purity of prayer, where the soul finds itself easily and naturally drawn to God, often without the need for words or specific contemplative practices.
In Simple Union, the focus is less on the soul's effort to conform to God and more on the experience of God's nearness and presence in a straightforward, uncomplicated way. It's marked by a peace and joy that comes from being in God's presence, as well as a sense of unity with God that permeates the soul's ordinary activities. The soul in Simple Union is less conscious of itself and more absorbed in God, living in a state of loving attention to Him.
Key Differences
Focus and Effort: The Prayer of Conforming Union emphasizes the soul's effort to align itself with God's will, marked by active purification and growth in virtue. In contrast, the Prayer of Simple Union is characterized by a more effortless and constant awareness of God's presence, where the soul's activities are permeated by a simple and loving attention to God.
Consciousness of God: While both stages involve an awareness of God's presence, in Simple Union, this awareness becomes more constant and integrated into all aspects of life, beyond specific times of prayer or contemplative practices.
Spiritual Maturity: Simple Union is generally considered a deeper stage of spiritual maturity than Conforming Union, marked by a more profound interior freedom and joy in God's presence.
Both stages are significant in the spiritual life and reflect the soul's journey towards complete union with God. Each stage brings its own graces and challenges, and the movement from one to the other is often gradual and marked by the guidance of the Holy Spirit.