Imaginative Preaching: Praying the Scriptures So God Can Speak Through You (Global Perspectives Series) by Geoff New

Author:Geoff New
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Christian
ISBN: 9781783688784
Published: 2016-05-19T23:00:00+00:00

The Value of the Ignatian Gospel Contemplation’s Third Prelude

Indeed, while the struggle was intense in deciding if insights gained during the prayer were to be preached, it did not eventuate that these insights were never aired. The struggle in making the transition from prayer to sermon preparation was eased, in some measure, from an unexpected quarter. Initially group members struggled with comprehending and exercising the Third Prelude of Ignatian Gospel Contemplation. The Third Prelude is the point in the prayer where the desired grace is prayed for (see chapter 2). Yet while this aspect of Ignatian Gospel Contemplation initially caused the most consternation within the group, it eventually proved to be the part of the prayer which resulted in the most fruit. It took two to four times using Ignatian Gospel Contemplation before it seemed to resonate with participants. Josie remarked, “My first experience of that particular discipline I struggled with . . . The next time it just really clicked. And I think it is just something that takes a bit of practice and experience.” Michael had initially struggled with connecting with Ignatian prayer at all and the difficulty was exacerbated by time pressures. Within this context, the Third Prelude emerged as the redeeming and defining feature. “But I must say . . . that even with the struggling with the Ignatian [prayer] and the time, the great thing about it, I found the grace in it. When you’re asking for the graces.” Kathy also initially failed to grasp the concept of the Third Prelude, but by the second group meeting stated it was now “one of the most significant parts of [the Ignatian prayer] now that I understand it.” Once the group settled into the rhythm of the Third Prelude, its effect became evident, especially for three group members. It proved to be the unifying feature between the time of prayer and the subsequent sermon content.

It appears that the praying for and outworking of the Third Prelude transcended any perceived evaluation of the success or failure of how the prayer time was construed. Michael spoke of how even when the sermon preparation had not gone well, he found that praying for the desired grace crystallized any disparate elements. He said, “[Regardless of] how good, bad or indifferent the sermon [was, I would pray], ‘Lord, that’s where you’re getting the job done.’” Kathy described how the use of the Third Prelude had evolved in her sermon preparation and made the transition to her congregation:

I found the grace the most powerful thing . . . in terms of the sermon as well that seems to be what I am asking for in response to this passage. When you do a sermon you want people to respond in some way and it is the grace where it is at for me. What are you asking of me in this passage? What are you asking of me when I read this text? How can I interact with it personally? And that’s how I use the grace.

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