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Sanctuary of the Soul: Journey into Meditative Prayer

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Sanctuary of the Soul: Journey into Meditative Prayer

"Tell my people, tell my children, that my heart is broken. Their distance and their preoccupation wound me... Tell them. Tell my children to come home." (Richard Foster; Sanctuary of the Soul. pg150)

I think this, arguably, might be the heart and soul of this book; a call to slowing down and lessening the distance between ourselves and our Father, God.

I love the pace and the tone that Richard Foster shares this journey into meditative prayer. From the very opening pages of the book, Foster shares with gentleness, humility, and the patience of a wizened teacher the lessons he has learned during his years of study and experience in the discipline of meditative prayer.

The book is divided into three main sections: Part One, Laying the Foundation; Part Two, Stepping into Meditative Prayer; and Part Three, Dealing with Everyday Distractions. Each section is comprised of three chapters with an average length of nine pages. The book is a relatively quick read and moves along at an engaging pace. I didn't have any difficulty following the flow of the book at all, but I do have a somewhat studied background on the topic of meditative (aka "centering" and "contemplative") prayer and I am familiar with most of the sources cited by Foster in Sanctuary. I took note that it seemed as though special attention was given to avoiding esoteric terms that might be unfamiliar to a broad audience. I think this is important to making a book of this nature accessible to the masses and I think this is exactly what Sanctuary of the Soul is... accessible, readable, and understandable regardless of where a person may be with respect to their spiritual journey and maturity therein.

There were several things I appreciated at a personal level about this little exposition on meditative prayer. First, there is what I believe is a hallmark of Foster's writing, a deep and rich sharing from the traditions, ancient and contemporary of the various streams of Christianity. These references are annotated well and there is a list of recommended resources for additional study and reading. Secondly, I appreciate and respect the decision to avoid making this book into a "how to" or " ______ steps to perfecting meditative prayer." There are several pauses throughout the book where Richard Foster is deliberate in pointing out that it is God who initiates and completes process of "listening prayer;" we are willing and surrendered partners in the process, but it is God who is the author and the facilitator of the work. Additionally, Foster reminds the reader that individual personalities vary, and experience as well as maturity plays into the equation of how God will define each individual's journey into this style of prayer. He goes on to explain while there are some commonalities to the process and experience of meditative prayer, there is not a iron-clad rule to follow aside from the desire to grow closer to God and the discipline to provide the space facilitate the growth. I was also encouraged (as I've already mentioned) by the gentle, non-threatening, and humble approach with which Foster shared his journey with the reader. It is only my opinion, but I think anyone reading the book would be encouraged to try this style of prayer without feeling intimidated.

I was thankful for chapter nine (one of the last sections of the book) as it summarized the lessons of the preceding chapters in the form of a Potpourri of Questions. Points that had already begun to fade from my memory were resurrected in this chapter. The highlights and main points were driven home again in a succinct yet inspiring fashion.

Finally, I don't think this is the definitive work or "one-size-fits-all" book on meditative prayer; neither does Foster because he has shared the recommended resources at the end of the book. My reason for this observation is meant as another point of encouragement to continue research and study and practice this beautiful and necessary form of prayer. To paraphrase one of my personal mentors on this topic: "There is no failure or wasted moment when we turn and surrender our hearts to God. He is delighted and continues the good work in us with every moment we turn to him and seek his face.

This is another wonderful resource from Richard Foster and I'm sure I will be turning to it again and again. I recommend it most highly to every Christian, wherever they may be on their journey with Jesus.

In 1 Kings 19, the prophet Elijah flees from Queen Jezebel, who has commanded that Elijah be killed to avenge the humiliation of the prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel. Elijah fears for his life, but is met by God and equipped for a journey to Mount Horeb, where God will reaffirm Elijah's prophetic calling, provide him with hope, and teach him to listen.

After arriving at the mountain, you will recall that Elijah witnesses a great wind, a mighty earthquake, and a consuming fire, but the Lord is not found in these displays. It is not until Elijah hears the sound of sheer silence that he comes to a knowledge of God's presence. Only then is he prepared to listen.

Richard Foster, in Sanctuary of the Soul: Journey into Meditative Prayer, encourages his readers to enter the silence, to quiet the soul, and to assume a posture of attentiveness. Foster's writings have consistently named our greatest spiritual problem as distraction, and through this small book, he shares wisdom with his readers and helps them to learn the fine art of listening to and abiding with God.

Foster's work is structured according to three primary themes: foundational concerns, the practice of meditative prayer, and assistance in resolving everyday problems. Prayer is challenging for many people, and the notion that we might enter in to an extended period of solitude, silence, or attentive listening as an act of prayer may seem foreign. Oftentimes, we are accustomed to tailoring our prayers according to our wants and needs, rather than engaging with God as a willing recipient of grace, wisdom, and guidance.

First, Foster begins with foundational matters. The book opens with a simple affirmation:

"Jesus Christ is alive and here to teach his people himself. His voice is not hard to hear; his vocabulary is not difficult to understand. But learning to listen well and to hear correctly is no small task."

Christians believe this to be true. Many Christians, however, express reservations concerning our ability to hear a direct word from God. We find it hard to fathom that God may speak to us directly beyond what we find in the pages of Scripture. We go beyond Foster's claim that learning to listen well and hear correctly is "no small task," and instead regard it as impossible. But it is not impossible. God has issued the invitation, desiring to commune with you. Such communion requires stepping beyond the Bible as God's revealed Word toward the Word Jesus Christ. This in no way demeans the Bible. Rather, it illuminates its true purpose. According to Foster the Bible is a dynamic text that instructs and leads us into a dynamic relationship with Jesus himself. Within the context of that relationship, Foster persuades the reader to develop "a familiar friendship with Jesus," a phrase helpfully borrowed from Thomas A'Kempis.

This friendship requires a transformation of the heart, first through a recognition that such transformation will be the result of a Presence outside of ourselves. For the Christian, the Reformer of Hearts is none other than the Lord God. Our re-making is an act of sheer grace and divine power. Foster acknowledges that it is the condition of the human heart that God must address, eradicating that which is false, and establishing that which is true, rooting out wickedness and renewing us in righteousness. God must recast our character according to the image of the Son. In order to accomplish the task of renewed character, Foster helpfully describes a movement of descent from mind to heart. It is not only our intellect that must be reformed, but our affections as well.

Next, Foster identifies three postures for entering meditative prayer: being present, beholding the Lord, and cultivating an inward attentiveness. Each of these postures is the subject of a short chapter, and it is here that I believe many of the true gems of this book are found. Modern people often live as though God does not exist, even if they are actively involved in a church, and these chapters help to counteract this supposition, helping the practitioner--the ordinary, everyday person--to realize a continual awareness of God's voice and leading.

Lastly, Foster addresses practical concerns. First, he gently encourages those of us who suffer from a wandering mind, giving pastoral wisdom and strategies for how we might become more focused. Secondly, Foster provides biblical instruction on the reality of our adversary, the devil, who seeks to lead us astray and prevent us from communing with God. Lastly, Foster addresses common questions that have arisen through his years of teaching about contemplative prayer.

Sanctuary of the Soul is a practical and clear guide to a life of prayer. Foster is focused on the individual--he uses personal illustrations and experience to provide life-on-life instruction for those seeking to enjoy God's presence and attune themselves to God's voice. He does not provide instruction on how this might in turn affect a body of people, such as a church or small group who engage in the practice of contemplative prayer. This does not mean that the book is without benefit. Though it is individually focused, the degree to which this book can affect change at the personal level could make an impact on others. Churches and other groups of Christians are in deep need of those who have learned to listen carefully to God. They in turn help us to hear God as well.

This small book, a quick and very useful read, is one I would recommend.

What a wonderful guide to meditative prayer, rich in scriptural reference, deep in exploration into spiritual classics, and personal in touching the heart of spiritual formation. In my estimation this book is a spiritual classic in the making. The words lift off the page and move one into the very heart of meditative prayer and to the heart of God. It can be read for instruction but also to move into the journey of meditation.

Richard Foster gives very helpful steps into the heart of prayer. In a real sense this is spiritual guidance at its best, providing a format that draws us into the very presence of God. The opening part of moving from the mind into the heart is a beautiful description of creating a space for God and entering into the inner sanctuary of the heart. His treatment of sanctifying the imagination and spiritual reading of scripture, lectio divina, is extremely well done, allowing the meaning of the text to flow into us and giving a personal word for our life.

Richard Foster gives very helpful instructions on meditative prayer, first in recollection, which includes glad surrender, repentance and confession, and accepting the ways of God. The second part on "Beholding the Lord" is particularly striking in terms of setting the mind on Christ. He calls this holding our heart in God's presence. What nourishing thoughts. The third part of the prayer of listening giving inward attentiveness to divine motions speaks so clearly of what happens in extended prayer discerning the voice of God.

In this book the author tells three moving stories of experiences of meditative prayer where he goes for retreat. Rather than just some ethereal sense, this book on prayer draws one into the practice of taking those times of solitude for a life guided out of the center of communion with God. For this he also gives tips on the wandering mind in times of prayer as well draws on prayers that express protection as well as guidance even in times of difficulty. The Sanctuary of the Soul is a guide into our own journey of heart transformation.

I call this a spiritual classic for a number of reasons. One is that it causes me to read and re-read the pages on one level for instruction. But then I read it even more slowly because the thoughts and selections of scripture and words of devotional classics draw me into the heart of extended prayer. This is a book that I have already taken with my Bible to my weekly extended prayer time. Each time I see something new. There is something about the way the book is crafted that makes it a work of art where one always sees a new perspective.

This book is a very important gift for the renewal of the church for at the heart of spiritual renewal is developing the life of prayer for all God's people. We will certainly use it in the Springs of Living Water Initiative in church renewal as people discover the spiritual journey. I can see this book used in seminary classroom, denominational office, for pastors, congregation members, and for a neighbor or friend. People are hungering for a life of prayer and spiritual guidance and this guide is an extremely helpful resource for all.

Richard Foster closes with such beautiful words of hope, welcoming us home to the heart of God. His grand invitation of grace at the close leaves us with the image of God's arms stretched out wide to take us in. "Welcome home." "Welcome home to the sanctuary of the soul."

The need for discernment has never been greater. With so many winds of doctrine, one can easily be tossed about like the waves of the sea.

Having heard frequent warnings from some Christian circles about contemplative prayer, I decided to review Sanctuary of the Soul by Richard J. Foster. In an old song, Amy Grant sang, "She's got her Father's eyes, / Her Father's eyes; / Eyes that find the good in things, / When good is not around." Pointing out error is valid, especially if it is flagrant, but my hope was to find some good. Bible teacher Derek Prince likened it to eating fish; eat the flesh, spit out the bones. It seems that some prefer to completely reject any teaching or person that they deem wrong. There may be a time when that is warranted, but I prefer like Ruth in the Old Testament to glean, collecting what I can use. I'm not against pointing out error, but in this case, I will leave that to others if they feel it necessary.

As I began to read, I immediately enjoyed Foster's excellent writing. He is concise and adorns his prose with thoughtful quotations and stories. With all the foreboding storm clouds that I had imagined, this was like a refreshing summer rain. Devotional writing is my favorite, and though this is instructional, there is plenty of inspiration.

The subject made me a little anxious. I wondered if Foster would add to my burdens. My fears were relieved by Foster's humility and gentle encouragement. His kindness was like that of Boaz towards Ruth.

I welcome Foster's highlighting of biblical meditation, which may be a lost art or at least neglected today. It's the contemplative prayer aspect that some find troubling. Near the back of the book in "A Potpourri of Questions," Foster offers the following definitions: "Prayer in general is the interactive communication that transpires between God and ourselves. Meditative prayer in particular is the listening side of this communication." One problem with this view is that you must learn to discern when it is God speaking. Since this is an introductory book, the author writes broadly about a number of issues and does not go in depth on this aspect but points the reader elsewhere. Good News for Anxious Christians (see my review) by Phillip Cary is a recent resource for those who want an opposing view of this type of hearing from God.

I like the book's emphasis on quieting ourselves before God. Foster sees distraction as the primary spiritual problem of our day. In writing about modern worship services, it's easy to agree with Foster despite his cynicism, "Today, for the most part they have become one huge production in distraction. Worship meant to draw us into the presence of God has become little more than an organized way of keeping us from the presence of God." In another place, he tells of a different kind of experience at "Quaker Meadow," the name of a camp where he participated in a retreat for 150 college students. This is one of three detailed personal experiences that end each of the book's three sections. They are used to illustrate and expand on the subject matter.

The Quaker Meadow meeting reads like a genuine account of a move of God, one where the participants are being led by the Spirit and are caught-up with a sense of the presence of God. Initially, it was marked by silence followed by spontaneous hymn-singing with different ones leading out. A time of confession ensued. After this, "Songs of praise and thanksgiving began to erupt spontaneously." Foster wisely does not hold this out as the ultimate experience, one that should be copied. "It is not wise for us to hanker after such heights," he writes. "Worship can be fully valid when there are no thrills or flights of ecstasy. The group, just like the individual, must learn to endure spiritual weather of all kinds with serenity of soul."

Having become more interested in poetry, I was delighted to find Foster encouraging a selective use of it in a section titled "Words Dancing with Beauty." He points out three ways it can useful in settling our minds. "First, poetry startles us with its economy of words and beauty of language." Second, understanding a poem often requires multiple readings, which helps to calm minds down. "Third, the mind is often captured by the metaphor of a poem." The book was worth the read just for this small section.

I'm not against a creative use of imagination, but my most uncomfortable moment was Foster's sample meditation experience for dealing with a wandering mind, which included picturing Jesus in the room, etc. This is intended as a helpful example, but the images are a little odd.

I never want to be undiscerning in relation to mysticism and contemplative prayer. There have been obvious excesses and abuses, and they should be avoided. In the past, even evangelicals like A. W. Tozer and Alexander Whyte, who are both referenced among others in the book, were more willing to learn from the mystics, adapting the good they found for their own purposes. That attitude no longer seems to be in vogue. That is unfortunate, since Foster's insights are useful in cultivating a closer relationship with God.

Foster is practical, and his candor is surprising. The book does not leave you feeling condemned. Foster keeps it simple, which makes it easy to follow. I found the book to be more helpful than harmful. Even so, the need to be discerning remains: "test everything; hold fast what is good" (1 Thessalonians 5:21 ESV).

Prayer! Of all the spiritual disciplines it is one that is the most necessary, the most difficult to master (not that anyone ever fully masters the discipline of prayer); yet it offers the greatest of rewards for the follower of Christ for it is in prayer that God meets with us and talks with us and we meet with him and talk with him.

n his classic book Sanctuary of the Soul author Richard Foster opens the door for us to the mysterious and foreign world of meditative prayer and shares with us in easy to read and understand language what it is and what it means to pray meditatively. I refer to meditative prayer as mysterious and foreign to us because we live in a world of excessive talking and noise, of hustle and bustle; of doing business at a speed that is faster than the speed of light or sound it seems, and of the urgency of the moment, when what author Foster wants us to do is to enter into a sublime place and meet with the eternal and eternal one - where one is fully at peace, soul and mind quieted before a holy and righteous God, communing with him in awe and wonder.

Author Foster's book is relatively small and could be a quick read if you were of a mind to just sit down and read it as you would any other book...or...you can read the book slowly, thoughtfully, and with a sense of wonder and delight - you know like when a child eats their first ice cream sundae - there are just no words to describe the experience. And that is how you should read this book...reading it and then meditating and praying and then reading some more, and then meditating more and more praying and the more you do it the more you will enjoy it and want to learn more about it so that you can become better at it. Not like it is some trade to be learned or skill to be mastered as those are things of mere mortals, of the here and now I say; but rather, what we are dealing with when it comes to the matter of meditative praying, are things that are beyond us and need a lifetime of effort and work. And we never master the discipline of meditative prayer in this world fully; however, the more we practice it the more we become like our Master and that leads to a beautiful transformation of our being indeed.

So, if you are interested in becoming more like the Master, Savior and Lord, one essential way to do that is to learn how to pray as he prayed - which is meditatively. And the book the Sanctuary of the Soul will help you learn just how to do that. In three short chapters you will learn about how to lay the foundation for you to pray meditatively, then how to "step" into meditative prayer, and finally and very importantly learn how to deal with the "everyday difficulties" and hindrances to meditative prayer. In part three the author also answers a number of questions in regards to prayer and meditative praying.

Author Foster then shares some concluding words, acknowledgements, as well as some other very helpful resources for you to consider as you continue on your lifelong journey learning how to master the discipline of meditative prayer so that you can better reflect the glory and essence of the Savior and Lord in your life.

I have received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher, InterVarsity Press, for reviewing it.

Wheather you are new to meditative prayer or have been practicing for 30 years this book will have someting for you. Richard Foster does his usual wonderful job introducing and teaching each idea for meditation. I'm now reading it for a second time and I'm sure it won't be my last.

Foster heard Jesus speak to him, in his inner being, when he was in college. Part of the message was, "With me is ultimate and complete satisfaction." 12 In this book he explores what it means to hear the divine whisper, what we should expect, what should be the conditions of our heart and mind, and how we can develop an inward, prayer-filled listening.
"Oh, let me tell you how much God desires our presence. How much God longs to hear from us. How much God yearns to communicate with us." 15 Foster reviews the importance of meditation. Unlike other religions, Christian meditation involves hearing and obeying.
"In meditative prayer we are creating the emotional and spiritual space that allows God to construct an inner sanctuary in the heart." 26 That requires transformation of the human heart - by God.
At first our prayers will be halting and uneasy. Foster suggests we are always asking (to be changed), always listening (for the still, small Voice), always obeying (the Spirit and Scripture). We will be drawn into a "habitual orientation of our heart toward God." 32 "This is the formation of the heart before God." 32)
Meditative prayer involves both the mind and the heart. He writes about the role of lectio divina and experiencing worship in community. He shares his own experience of Quaker worship.
After laying the foundation, Foster gives insight into the steps of meditation. There is the process of recollection (becoming more fully present, surrendering), beholding the Lord (the inward steady gaze of the heart upon God), and the prayer of listening (spirit alert, discerning the voice of God - quality, spirit, content).
"Distraction is the primary spiritual problem in our day." 102 Learning single-hearted concentration takes time. Keeping a "to-do" pad handy may help curb thoughts vying for attention. You might want to practice a Sabbath time free from electronic media. Foster suggests the reading of selective poetry to help focus the wandering mind (he explains why).
Foster addresses demonic forces and the life of prayer. He answers frequently asked questions with practical answers.
Has Foster achieved all he writes about? No. He admits at one point, "I don't know about you, but all this lofty talk leaves me a little breathless. And overwhelmed. I'm just hoping to make it through the week. Perhaps you feel the same." 73 But he encourages us not to despair or give up. He quotes Merton: "You cannot learn meditation from a book. You just have to meditate." 133)

Great book that is well worth reading. Richard Fosters says that "...distraction is one of the deepest problems we face today" and that "...silence is a spiritual discipline and we need this discipline to unplug us from the inane babble of modern culture."

This book was remarkably uplifting and inspiring for me. Richard J. Foster is such a thoughtful, God-centered writer and he knows how to share his insights so beautifully in his written works. I highly recommend this book to all who are feeling drawn to contemplative prayer.

I've read about half of the book so far and have been a bit disappointed. Perhaps I'm the wrong person to be makeing a judgement.