Prayer Posture with John Mark Comer | Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools Podcast

[@kathrynnewton8721]

Oh my goodness you beautiful people! So refreshing - in an authentic way! How often been my journey where He speaks to me “Can you trust Me even here” and the offense and disappointment He wants to heal layer by layer - and I’m 72 and still don’t have a clue but He is good!

[@jcpatts]

Interesting to see some of the pushback on this. As a father, I try to use that perspective when thinking about God. I love having quiet time with my sons. Just sitting and laying outside, inside, wherever is always so peaceful. I'm sure our heavenly Father enjoys this too.

[@kathrynnewton8721]

Thank you, guys, so different, and I hear so often “just be” “sit here I’m My love”. It can feel quite isolating in a church world so often be more like ‘shopping list prayer’……I don’t have to impress/earn anything from God or anyone else.😊

[@stephenalevesque2361]

As someone who is both peaceful and always in motion, sitting still is so very hard for. So.much so that it almost rises to a level of suffering (as strange as that is) So the thoughts expressed here really minister to me, that im not alone in my restlessness and quest for stillness before God. Thank you!!

[@Laniefj]

I've always felt like I've had to talk and talk when praying. Learning to be silent is hard for me. Shaking off "religion " and getting into a real relationship with Jesus is difficult at times, for me. This study has been eye opening for me.

[@skyemacdiarmid]

Entering into the presence of God and just being with Him, whether I am speaking to him, listening to his voice, praying scripture, praying in tongues, intercession or a combination thereof, is everything. My relationship with Him is everything. Sitting with him in silence, for me, is about resting with him, surrendering my right to be heard and seen, laying myself down at his feet and letting him care for me intimately. I wouldn't trade that time for a million spoken words. God bless you and thank you for your honest sharing.

[@joragon32]

Thank you for letting us in on your conversation. You both have been instrumental in my walk with Christ. know that you loved. I pray for you both, your families, and your ministry.

[@s.morrow1846]

This is helping me so much as a beginner just getting started at 37. Thank you for this!

[@Simple.Bible.Mission]

so beautiful! how has your walk been since?

[@darronhilaire1703]

If there are ever two modern day heroes of the faith that I look up to in this generation, it’s both of you men. Your words and wisdom have significantly shaped my walk with the Lord and helped to rekindle thankfully my relationship to prayer. Thank you!

[@westyso.cal.8842]

Were getting into some tricky territory here with the soul and spirit of the man. There is a very fine line that exists between the soul and spirit. The Word of God is a two edged sword that is able to discern between the soul and the spirit. That is why we so desperately need the Word of God to rightly discern and feed our spirit more than our emotions. Emotions are fickle and fleeting, but God’s Word is stable and forever. Better to elevate God’s Word above our emotions and focus more on the scriptures than our own contemplative experiences.

[@anastasiarogich7839]

Jesus is our example, he was extremely contemplative. This is the early Christian way of discipleship. Jesus spent 40 days praying along and fasting. This are things the modern church has forgotten. They are absolutely scriptural.

[@josefmontez949]

Silence makes me feel complete and mental prayer has also really helped me in my relationship with our Lord. Prostration is also key

[@SommerJoy777]

Same here. He is holy, and I sensed in that posture there is an act of reverence to who He is. We bow before the king. Allow Him to lift our face. If I said that correctly. Thanks for sharing.

[@didintlekgwadi1125]

Thank you for sharing.💙 Thank you, Holy Spirit.🤍

[@mirandasamaneka]

Less about changing what is and surrendering to God in what is… so good

[@rayleneberryman7673]

Be still and know that I am God. If we don’t become quiet how can we expect him to talk to us in his still small voice. Love you input dear brothers in the Lord

[@mariabean1786]

So many texts taken out of context For example the still small voice that Elijah heard was not within him - but outside go read again And even so I’m sure God is powerful enough to speak and be heard over the massive din that is in my life Like before I got saved I was blind and deaf and dead

[@MargiStarr]

This is sooooo good. Thank you for this incredibly simple, amazingly profound teaching.

[@renesteiner8362]

This is absoluetly amazing. Thank you so much, guys!

[@stacycianciulli9534]

I appreciate your openness and honesty about this facet of your experience with God/Christ. We are encouraged and inspired by this sharing. Blessings upon you!!

[@tamannasarah8677]

This was a beautiful message. So much confirmation, reminder, and new lessons learned. To GOD be all the glory ❤️ God bless you richly, brother Tyler and all of your guests-our family in Christ 🙏🏽

[@susan3733]

Thank you 😊

[@eliasrandall468]

Thank you guys for sharing this discussion!

[@carmenmichaud6433]

Thank you for sharing this discussion.

[@soulshuffles9495]

Learned so much- thank you!

[@paulaatcompassion]

This was so good and inspiring. I love both your teachings, its been so refreshing since I starting listening to both of you. Thank you!

[@by_rkt.]

This is most excellent advice. However, I’m curious how we find that silence and solitude between our ears!

[@thecarterfamilyband]

Yes! I’ve never been able to master this.

[@suedinenakano3414]

Wow, thank you so much!

[@irasmith-lopez2581]

You two are some of the most inspiring ministers. I am a newly positioned pastor and I have felt so uplifted by the two of you. Tyler, thank you for sharing your prayer understanding.

[@abhirai6124]

So many beautiful nuggest from John Mark comer here 🍁

[@sleepwalker7755]

Fantastic…. God bless you both

[@isakpetersen2094]

Love John Mark's shorts

[@kyleklaiber]

So much respect for these 2...this was really insightful for me, thanks!!

[@mostreal907]

Enjoyed this very much

[@serenasztein5065]

Blessed be the memory of Metropolitan Kallistos Ware ,he told the story of God looking at you looking at him ... years ago. Metropolitan KALLISTOS Ware - What is Prayer? Honour to whom honour is due God bless

[@BrianBull]

Sooo goood!!!

[@UnknownUse132]

Incredible conversation gentleman - well well well done 🔥

[@jrponce3732]

Powerful.

[@robertgevjan511]

I appreciate how you introduce contemplative prayer, walking people into the possibility. What I hear you saying is you take your solitude with you when you go into a crowded or noisy space. One question: It sounds like you were leading us to think of prayer as the preparation for the work that we will do. I have heard from time to time, from people of various denominational or non-denominational perspectives say that prayer is the work. How do you see it?

[@jeannie741]

A beneficial conversation. Thank you.

[@zSarayu]

Just found your channel and subscribed. This is such a beautiful conversation. Thank you for sharing this message and for making this video. I know God will keep doing amazing things through this channel. God bless!

[@riolly]

I confirm that I can't have my spiritual growth without silence prayer

[@JacobStickel]

Wow, this is great. Thank you for sharing this

[@gigipc2488]

so so good!!

[@bethburleson6684]

I listen to you guys speak weekly via podcast but seeing your scruffy lil heads was not the image I expected hahaha. God bless you both and thank you for the way you have helped me uncover truth and become much closer to God through the sermons and practices you share.

[@JUANMARCUZTIMAY]

They’re so coool, ayt? 😁

[@simonmullock2551]

Could anyone advise me where to purchase this book please?

[@ryanp8159]

I'm struggling with this. I'm trying to follow, but this just sounds like modern, Western spirituality where we appropriate Eastern "techniques" and merge them with secular psychology and a pinch of pragmatism. I don't believe that the scriptures point us to exact, rigid procedures for prayer, however, I also don't see what's being discussed here anywhere in scripture. Am I missing something?

[@chaddonal4331]

Scriptural appeals are to Jesus going to the quiet/wilderness that Comer discusses early on. Also, the calling in the Psalms to meditate on God’s word and God’s truth. And then giving space for contemplating on God, being still and knowing, presenting our bodies as living sacrifices, etc. In Bible Church and Systematic Theology circles, we have established cultures of learning truth and explaining things. This is a focus on actually practicing our spirituality - beyond simply explaining what is true. Actually, engaging God personally. So that we might love Him with our full heart, soul, mind, and strength.

[@mariabean1786]

You’re right to be struggling it’s mystical and totally unbiblical just speak to God as is natural to you and bring your requests humbly to him there’s nothing spiritual about being silent 😊

[@ryanp8159]

@@chaddonal4331 That's the problem, you used communication to communicate, not non-communication...if that makes sense. That's how personal relationships work. I don't want to read modern, Western spirituality into the texts of scripture anymore than I want to read modern, Western theological systems into scripture. Some of us just want to know what God has said, what He's up to, and how He intends for us to draw near. Externally critical grenade lobbing is destructive, and it's often those who are so fixated on the grenade lobbing of their doctrinal opponent that they cannot see how aggressive they happen to be. I wanna be as constructive as pitiful.

[@marianosarabia9614]

great content! The way you guys are sitting and the angle of the camera was kind of distracting. Just my thoughts. thank you

[@chaddonal4331]

I agree. The ultra wide shot, knees touching. Super odd. The content is solid, but everything about the visuals is trying too hard.

[@brieolear7413]

I love this video, thank you so much for sharing! I have one practical question that you guys or someone in the thread could respond to. Do you typically practice silence and solitude and then read your Bible? or do you prioritze scripture reading over solitude, or vice versa?

[@JUANMARCUZTIMAY]

I do both. There are times I say first my concerns to God. I ask. I share. I just talk to Him. Then I will read the Bible and after that, I talk again with Him. Sometimes the opposite. I answer questions (based on what I have read): 1. Who are you Lord? 2. What do you want me to do today?

[@user-dk8gc]

I had a bad experience with eastern meditation and am terrified of silence- now i fill it by binge eating- any advice on how I can be still before God without being afraid of stillness?

[@angierobshaw1741]

Sounds like you need a deliverance. That thing you experienced has a stronghold on you. But Jesus will set you free. Press into the Word of God in obedience. Ask for a true believer to pray over you and get rid of the thing. God bless. “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us.” ‭‭1 John‬ ‭4‬:‭16‬-‭19‬ ‭

[@user-dk8gc]

@@angierobshaw1741 thanks for taking the time to write this I really appreciate it- I actually got deliverance from fear a few months ago and the binge eating went away for 2 months. Do you think I need deliverance again? How do I know? X

[@angierobshaw8413]

I don’t say this as if I know for sure. But from my understanding the only reason a demonic spirit can enter is if you open a door. Or if you do not fill yourself up with the spirit of God. I would check your life, are you staying in the word in prayer and walking in obedience to how God is showing you to live. Are you allowing things in your eye gates or your ear gates that are of enemy? Watching or listening to things that are evil according to God. The boundaries that God has given us are, in part, to keep us protected from the plans of the enemy to destroy our lives. ““When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.”” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭12‬:‭43‬-‭45‬ ‭ God bless

[@annpuckett281]

Thank you for sharing, I am going through the same, first with occultic meditation and unfortunately fell into false doctrine around mystical prayer when I started following Jesus. Silence doesn’t have to be sitting alone in a quiet room, it can also be walking in nature or some kind of physical activity that allows your mind to be still, like painting. It’s a process, but making small steps towards being alone with God helps to heal the wounded mind. I have been through a lot of demonic deliverance and have found most of the time there is much more to healing trauma then casting an unclean spirit out, it’s more about continued surrender and trust in Jesus. 🥲

[@angierobshaw8413]

Well put. I agree.

[@GlamtourwithElshaday]

How do you silence your brain if you have racing thoughts

[@hopekeehn4836]

"silence strips you of performance"

[@SibleySteve]

My struggle with contemplation is that Jesus and the apostles prayed at the temple and the synagogue morning and evening reciting the tefilah and the shamah, these recitations, liturgies and words were given by God to the covenant people and the early church continued to believe and use the words of speech and scroll writings and words and noumenal wordy articulate prayers multiple times a day. Of course meditation is often referred to in scripture but prayers and psalms are very old and written. To shut down the noumenal and seek transcendental meditation rather than extol the holy Name and recite the deeds and words of Jesus Christ is to block our spirit groaning with His spirit as it speaks the scriptures back to us that we have learned and memorized. Would it not be more accurate to suggest that when Jesus went to pray by himself that he talked to his father and conversed the father in the human manner of speech?

[@facedown36]

Hmm, I think we should not put how this was done in a box as we were not there. It could be a combination as we see when He prayed before going to the cross He groaned which is form of speech as we do when we are in pain or can happen when in deep intercession

[@topherthegopher1985]

If tradition is any part of your process in discerning the validity of a spiritual practice, then you have thousands of years of contemplative tradition that support its usefulness and transformative power in daily Christian life. Also you used the phrase “seek transcendental meditation” in opposition to praise and recitation, but I think you do a disservice to the practice of contemplation by minimizing it in this way. Everyday experience shows us that words and phrases are present in our minds before they exit through our lips. How else could we read or rehearse conversations silently? So, praise and recitation are easily incorporated into contemplative prayer. It’s not always the primary goal, but it can be. Contemplate simply means to think profoundly and at length. To struggle with this in practice is perfectly normal, but to struggle with it philosophically and then discourage, or worse criticize, it in the context of prayer is unsophisticated and perhaps even harmful.

[@topherthegopher1985]

@hetty9274 great thoughts. What seems to be in question from the first commenter @sibleysteve was if Jesus engaged in contemplative prayer at all. It’s a valid question, though I think his conclusion is incorrect or only partially correct. There’s nothing to suggest that Jesus only prayed in spoken word. On the contrary, even a cursory search of the Bible for stillness and quiet returns numerous results. Jesus knew this better than anyone. So it seems undeniable that Jesus engaged and communicated with God in many ways including speaking, stillness and everything other avenue that ceaseless prayer affords us.

[@DaltonOliveMusic]

Does anyone know where Tyler got that jacket?!

[@BrianBull]

🤣

[@danielandronic9749]

I don't want to be a fool anymore.

[@robertgevjan511]

What do you mean?

[@rosbyduhart5884]

What do you mean by 'Deep webbing of relationship'...?

[@facedown36]

Was that in the conversation? If yes what timestamp pls

[@rosbyduhart5884]

@@facedown36 2:02

[@facedown36]

@@rosbyduhart5884 thanks. I will check it out.

[@brandonbrower8440]

Would be helpful to hear specifics around what you guys are actually experiencing, seeing, hearing, etc. in your times of solitude and silence if it can be articulated? Rather than feeling peace, calmness, etc. JMC alluded to it being active and vibrant. How so? Best!

[@theresponsibility3425]

Can you guys talk a little bit about the pain that you went through to get to these conclusions?

[@BrianBull]

I would love that

[@facedown36]

The journey to arrive at this place? Is that what you are describing as pain? Do u use the phase pain because we don't naturally want to wait or be silent from a carnal perspective in the real sense of the word?

[@theresponsibility3425]

@@facedown36 the transition from the old to the new. The old you not recognizing the destination, the new you dedicated to being a disciple. The pain of dying to the old self. The old self never being able to make that decision while the new self pulled you forward. Letting go of the things of this world that gave your life meaning and now only holding on to the trinity to give your life meaning. (God/Jesus/holy spirit). The transition from death to life. Being more capable as a slave than "free". Becoming stronger living in "weakness". Being first by being last, being the greatest by being the least. Ect... There was pain in that transformation for me. Worth it though, although the old me would say it wasn't... lol

[@facedown36]

@@theresponsibility3425 aha, thanks I understand and thanks for explaining. I love how we all have our journey stories. Love it.. My favourite go to scriptures are work in me Lord both to will and do Your good pleasure and focus on His love for me as noted in Ephs and Colossian prayers. I then focus on grace . Maybe I lie to myself or I have become so desensitised to that pain that I don't acknowledge it. Death to flesh is a must, could not clear less and it doesn't matter how long it takes to get there, His grace and mercy will journey me there. That said, I had a dream a long time ago where the dream basically meant the more I fight against the transformation (like a patient on an operating table fighting the surgeon during a major heart surgery) the more pain I will suffer ....(I realise now why I don't ue rhe word pain) so been learning how to yield and rely on surrendering daily.....don't think that will ever stop until this we put on the new body suit pass the barrier of this realm into eternity space

[@theresponsibility3425]

@@facedown36 love it. I guess just to be more Specific. I was talking about the pain that is involved when you stop going to the whore of Babylon(the world) and drinking from the many waters that she is sitting upon. When you instead start to go within and drink from the cistern(Jesus). Meaning letting go of the things that provide my life meaning like being a husband, father, a provider, my hobbies, my social standing, etc... and instead only getting my meaning from Jesus. It is amazing how he can make me so much more productive in all those areas in my life that used to provide me with my meaning now that I do not "need" them and all I need is him. I chose those rolls along side him, trusting his guidance. But I remember that process of letting go of those things, and instead holding on to Jesus. For me it was painful. To hate my mother, brother, and sister to follow christ. Realizing that letting go because you hate someone or because you love them is the same initial pain. But in one case you let go for yourself, in the other you let go for jesus. No need to respond if you don't want to. I'm mostly just thinking out loud. Thank you for listening. I feel people think pain is a sign they are on the wrong path, no one talks about it... idk.

[@CaptainBrandon4]

I like that you could've sat in comfy leather chairs but instead you're upright on barstools and your knees are touching. I think that's what Jesus would have done.

[@mariabean1786]

Jesus reclined

[@mikegodfrey2221]

I know a great barbers they could possibly use .

[@angierobshaw1741]

😆

[@kyleporter5484]

and a bottle of shampoo

[@mariabean1786]

Being quiet is not praying - God wants us to communicate with Him bring your request humbly to Him all this mystical stuff puts burdens on people and is unbiblical nor matches anything Jesus taught

[@yourkingdomcomeyourwillbedone]

Being quiet is how you hear the still small voice of God. Communication implies a conversation - one where both things are expressed but also one in which things are perceived. God has a purpose and plan for all of our lives but many people just pray for their own will to be done instead of actually listening and being obedient to the father’s will.

[@mariabean1786]

@@yourkingdomcomeyourwillbedone do you have a scripture that backs this up so I can study it for myself ? I’ve had God bring to remembrance some scriptures to me, I know it’s him speaking as it’s directly from His word, believe me, at the time I was not in a state of being quiet mentally or physically God is is powerful and capable of speaking within the chaos and noise of life

[@yourkingdomcomeyourwillbedone]

@@mariabean1786 The "still small voice of God is from 1 Kings 19:12-13 KJV. Scripture tells us that silence can help us avoid sinning (Proverbs 10:19), gain respect (Proverbs 11:12), and is deemed wise and intelligent (Proverbs 17:28). Also see 1 Samuel 3:3-4, Psalm 62:1, Ecclesiastes 3:7, Mark 1:35, Luke 5:16.

[@mariabean1786]

@@yourkingdomcomeyourwillbedone Hello thank you for your reply, the text in Kings is descriptive not prescriptive, and of corse silence is good sometimes knowing when to hold your tongue is wisdom but this is not to do with praying or hearing God

[@mariabean1786]

@@yourkingdomcomeyourwillbedone also Jesus going to lonely places to pray means exactly that, He was praying not just sitting in silence