Recently, I learned about a wonderful tool to get closer to the Lord. It is called Contemplative Prayer. We are called to a deeper faith—a life shaped by contemplative prayer, self-examination, and transformation through God. It’s not just about doing the right things; it’s about being molded by God’s presence so that we can love as He loves, extend grace and mercy like He does, and walk fully in the purpose He has called us to embrace.
Throughout Scripture, we see God use seasons of stillness and waiting to prepare His people. David, Moses, and Joseph all experienced times of solitude and transformation before stepping into the roles God had for them (1 Samuel 13:14, 16:13). David was known as a man after God’s own heart even before he became king. Moses spent 40 years in the wilderness tending sheep before leading the Israelites out of slavery. Joseph endured 13 years in difficult circumstances, growing through prayer and self-examination, before he was elevated to save nations from famine. These seasons weren’t wasted—they were essential in forming their hearts to align with God’s purpose. As Psalm 46:10 reminds us, “Be still, and know that I am God.”
Contemplative prayer is about being with God, not just seeking answers or solutions. It invites us to slow down, be still, and rest in His presence. This type of prayer emphasizes listening over speaking, allowing us to experience God’s love without an agenda. When we practice being still and centered on Him, we open our hearts for transformation. David experienced this kind of intimacy with God as a young shepherd, quietly learning to trust God’s voice (Psalm 23; Psalm 63:1-8). Even though I didn’t realize it at the time, I’ve had similar moments where I simply rested in God’s presence. It was during these moments that I fell deeper in love with Him.
In contemplative prayer, God reshapes our desires, aligns our will with His, and deepens our dependence on Him. But this kind of formation also requires self-examination. When we invite God to search our hearts, we give Him permission to reveal the hidden patterns and beliefs that need healing. Psalm 139:23-24 says, “Search me, O God, and know my heart… See if there is any offensive way in me.”
There was a time in my life when I felt Jesus drawing me into deeper love, and part of that process involved journaling what He was teaching me about myself. I wrote down the areas where I needed healing, things I needed to let go of, and places I needed to grow. I’m still in that process—just yesterday, I found myself praying Psalm 51:10: “Create in me a clean heart, O God.” It’s a continuous journey of clearing out what doesn’t belong and letting God renew my heart.
Transformation isn’t something we can accomplish on our own; it’s God’s work within us. True change happens when we surrender and allow Him to realign our thoughts, desires, and motives. Jacob’s story reminds us that wrestling with God is part of the process. It was through his struggles that Jacob was transformed—from a deceiver to someone who contended with God and emerged changed. Transformation isn’t always easy, but it results in a life marked by love, mercy, and grace, reflecting the heart of God.
There are practical ways we can engage in this kind of formation. Setting a daily rhythm for quiet reflection can create space for God to speak. Meditating on scriptures like Psalms 51, 32, and 139 helps us stay connected to His truth. Journaling what God reveals over time allows us to notice patterns and track His work in our hearts. It’s also important to balance self-examination with gratitude, thanking God for His love and grace even as He works on the hard places within us. And most of all, we need to be patient. God’s work in us takes time, and He is faithful to complete it (Philippians 1:6).
David’s life shows us that being deeply formed by God means pursuing Him through prayer, reflection, and repentance, no matter where we are in life. Acts 13:22 tells us that David was called a man after God’s own heart because he sought God continually. We are invited to do the same. In every season, God calls us to pause, reflect, and let Him shape us from the inside out.
Today, I invite you to slow down and engage in contemplative prayer. Take a moment to be still with God. Ask Him to search your heart, show you what needs healing, and guide you in His way. Trust His process of transformation, knowing that He is faithful to align your heart with His.
I Choose Today to Be Deeply Formed by God. Will you join me?
1 thought on “I Choose Today to Be Deeply Formed by God”
Prayer is a wonderful gift from God and has had a huge impact on my life. I have found that as I spend time in God’s Word and then in prayer, God has met me in such a sweet way and has spoken to me by His Spirit to comfort, guide, and strengthen me. I am so thankful for the blessing of being able to go into the very presence of God and be open and honest with Him. He is such a faithful Father!