With these options we will begin with a mantra verse followed by the main selection and ending with a Blessing. Unless otherwise stated the scripture comes from the New King James Version. This is a selection from “Contemplative Prayer Study” lesson 3 by Rev. Derek Cheek
Option 1
Option 2
Option 3
Option 4
Option 5
Option 6
Option 7 Option 8 Option 9 Option 10 Option 11 Option 12
Mantra verse:
‘You are my Father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.’(Ps 89:26)
Psalm 1
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night.
He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.
The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall parish.
Nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night.
He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.
The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall parish.
The Blessing:
God be in my head, and in my understanding,
God be in my eyes, and in my looking,
God be in my mouth, and in my speaking,
God be in my heart, and in my thinking,
God be in my end, and at my departing.
God be in my eyes, and in my looking,
God be in my mouth, and in my speaking,
God be in my heart, and in my thinking,
God be in my end, and at my departing.
Mantra Verse:
You are He who took Me out of the womb;
You made Me trust while on My mother's breasts. (Ps 22:9)
You made Me trust while on My mother's breasts. (Ps 22:9)
Psalm 139:1-7, 13-14
O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off.
You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O LORD, You know it altogether.
You have hedged me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it.
Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?
For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off.
You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O LORD, You know it altogether.
You have hedged me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it.
Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?
For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
The Blessing:
I am bending my knee
In the eye of the Father who created me,
In the eye of the Son who purchased me,
In the Eye of the Spirit who cleansed me,
In friendship and affection.
Bestow upon us fullness in our need:
Love, wisdom, grace, fear, and the will of God
To do on the world the Three, as angels and saints do in heaven.
In the eye of the Father who created me,
In the eye of the Son who purchased me,
In the Eye of the Spirit who cleansed me,
In friendship and affection.
Bestow upon us fullness in our need:
Love, wisdom, grace, fear, and the will of God
To do on the world the Three, as angels and saints do in heaven.
Mantra Verse:
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your loving-kindness;
According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. (Ps 51:1)
According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. (Ps 51:1)
Psalm 130
Out of the depths I have cried to You, O LORD; Lord, hear my voice!
Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.
If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?
But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared.
I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope.
My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning—
Yes, more than those who watch for the morning.
O Israel, hope in the LORD;
For with the LORD there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption.
And He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.
Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.
If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?
But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared.
I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope.
My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning—
Yes, more than those who watch for the morning.
O Israel, hope in the LORD;
For with the LORD there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption.
And He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.
The Blessing:
Grant, O Lord, that in Your wounds, I may find my safety,
In Your stripes my cure,
In Your pain my peace,
In Your cross my triumph,
And a crown of righteousness
In the glories of Your eternal kingdom.
In Your stripes my cure,
In Your pain my peace,
In Your cross my triumph,
And a crown of righteousness
In the glories of Your eternal kingdom.
Mantra Verse:
The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?(Ps 27:1)
The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?(Ps 27:1)
Psalm 31:1-5
In You, O LORD, I put my trust; Let me never be ashamed;
Deliver me in Your righteousness.
Bow down Your ear to me, deliver me speedily;
Be my rock of refuge, a fortress of defense to save me.
For You are my rock and my fortress;
Therefore, for Your name's sake, lead me and guide me.
Pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me, for You are my strength.
Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.
Deliver me in Your righteousness.
Bow down Your ear to me, deliver me speedily;
Be my rock of refuge, a fortress of defense to save me.
For You are my rock and my fortress;
Therefore, for Your name's sake, lead me and guide me.
Pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me, for You are my strength.
Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.
The Blessing:
Christ, as a Light, illumine and guide me.
Christ, as a shield, overshadow and cover me.
Christ be under me. Christ be over me.
Christ be beside me, on the left and on the right.
Christ be in front of me. Christ be behind me
Christ be within me. Christ be without me.
Christ, as a Light, illumine and guide me.
Christ, as a shield, overshadow and cover me.
Christ be under me. Christ be over me.
Christ be beside me, on the left and on the right.
Christ be in front of me. Christ be behind me
Christ be within me. Christ be without me.
Christ, as a Light, illumine and guide me.
Mantra Verse:
O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.(Ps 63:1)
In a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.(Ps 63:1)
Psalm 23
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;
For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;
For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.
The Blessing:
O Christ, You are the Holy Son of the father.
O Christ, You are the conqueror of darkness.
O Christ, You are the seeker of the lost.
O Christ, You are the risen and ascended Lord.
O Christ, You are here and with me now.
O Christ, You are the conqueror of darkness.
O Christ, You are the seeker of the lost.
O Christ, You are the risen and ascended Lord.
O Christ, You are here and with me now.
Mantra Verse:
But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy;
In fear of You I will worship toward Your holy temple.(Ps 5:7)
In fear of You I will worship toward Your holy temple.(Ps 5:7)
Psalm 121 (NIV)
I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber;
Indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD watches over you—the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
The LORD will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life;
The LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber;
Indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD watches over you—the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
The LORD will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life;
The LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
The Blessing:
The guard of the God of life be yours, The guard of loving Christ be yours,
The guard of the Holy Ghost be yours, To cherish you, To aid you, To enfold you,
The Three be about your head,
The Three be about your breast,
The Three be about your body
Each night and each day, in the encompassment of the Three
Throughout your life long.
The guard of the Holy Ghost be yours, To cherish you, To aid you, To enfold you,
The Three be about your head,
The Three be about your breast,
The Three be about your body
Each night and each day, in the encompassment of the Three
Throughout your life long.
Mantra Verse:
The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.(Ps 92:12)
Psalm 27:1-6
The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?
When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh,
my enemies and foes, they stumbled and fell.
Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear;
Though war may rise against me, in this I will be confident.
One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His temple.
For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion;
In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.
And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me;
Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.
The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?
When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh,
my enemies and foes, they stumbled and fell.
Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear;
Though war may rise against me, in this I will be confident.
One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His temple.
For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion;
In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.
And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me;
Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.
The Blessing:
Lord be with us to guide us,
Within us to strengthen us, without us to protect us,
Above us to raise us, beneath us to uphold us,
Before us to lead us, behind us to guard us,
Ever about us, this day and evermore.
Within us to strengthen us, without us to protect us,
Above us to raise us, beneath us to uphold us,
Before us to lead us, behind us to guard us,
Ever about us, this day and evermore.
Mantra Verse:
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight,
O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.(Ps 19:14)
O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.(Ps 19:14)
Psalm 24:1-7
The earth is the LORD's, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein.
For He has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the waters.
Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol,
nor sworn deceitfully.
He shall receive blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him, who seek Your face.
Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors!
And the King of glory shall come in.
For He has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the waters.
Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol,
nor sworn deceitfully.
He shall receive blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him, who seek Your face.
Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors!
And the King of glory shall come in.
The Blessing:
I bind unto myself the name, The strong name of the Trinity.
By invocation of the same, The Three in one & one in Three,
Of whom all nature has creation, Eternal Father, Spirit, Word.
Praise to the Lord of my salvation; Salvation is of Christ the Lord.
By invocation of the same, The Three in one & one in Three,
Of whom all nature has creation, Eternal Father, Spirit, Word.
Praise to the Lord of my salvation; Salvation is of Christ the Lord.
Mantra Verse:
To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul.(Ps 25:1)
Psalm 8
O LORD, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth,
Who have set Your glory above the heavens!
Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength,
because of Your enemies,
That You may silence the enemy and the avenger.
When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,
What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him?
For You have made him a little lower than the angels,
and You have crowned him with glory and honor.
You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands;
You have put all things under his feet, All sheep and oxen—Even the beasts of the field,
The birds of the air, and the fish of the sea that pass through the paths of the seas.
O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth!
Who have set Your glory above the heavens!
Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength,
because of Your enemies,
That You may silence the enemy and the avenger.
When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,
What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him?
For You have made him a little lower than the angels,
and You have crowned him with glory and honor.
You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands;
You have put all things under his feet, All sheep and oxen—Even the beasts of the field,
The birds of the air, and the fish of the sea that pass through the paths of the seas.
O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth!
The Blessing:
Almighty God, give us wisdom to perceive you, Intelligence to understand you,
Diligence to seek you, Patience to wait for you,
Vision to behold you, a heart to meditate upon you, A life to proclaim you.
Diligence to seek you, Patience to wait for you,
Vision to behold you, a heart to meditate upon you, A life to proclaim you.
Mantra Verse:
Let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands for us;
Yes, establish the work of our hands.(Ps 90:17)
Yes, establish the work of our hands.(Ps 90:17)
Psalm 84
How lovely is Your tabernacle, O LORD of hosts!
My soul longs, yes, even faints for the courts of the LORD;
My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young—
Even Your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God.
Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; they will still be praising You.
Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, whose heart is set on pilgrimage…
They go from strength to strength; Each one appears before God in Zion.
O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer…and look upon the face of Your anointed.
For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD will give grace and glory;
No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
O LORD of hosts, Blessed is the man who trusts in You!
My soul longs, yes, even faints for the courts of the LORD;
My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young—
Even Your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God.
Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; they will still be praising You.
Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, whose heart is set on pilgrimage…
They go from strength to strength; Each one appears before God in Zion.
O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer…and look upon the face of Your anointed.
For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD will give grace and glory;
No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
O LORD of hosts, Blessed is the man who trusts in You!
The Blessing:
Open my eyes to Your presence, Open my ears to Your call,
Open my heart to Your Love. May I open my hands to others,
May I open my heart to strangers, May I open my doors to callers,
That I may open to You, Lord, Open this day and forevermore.
Open my heart to Your Love. May I open my hands to others,
May I open my heart to strangers, May I open my doors to callers,
That I may open to You, Lord, Open this day and forevermore.
Mantra Verse:
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.(Ps 100:4)
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.(Ps 100:4)
Psalm 92:1-5 (ESV)
It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High;
to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night,
to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre.
For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy.
How great are your works, O LORD! Your thoughts are very deep!
to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night,
to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre.
For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy.
How great are your works, O LORD! Your thoughts are very deep!
The Blessing:
May I speak each day your justice,
Each day may I show your chastening, O God;
May my mouth be full of Your wisdom,
May my life be lived in peace with You.
Each day may I count Your acts of mercy,
May I live under Your laws, O God;
Each day may my life be Your song,
May I harp every day Your praises.
May I give each day my love to You, Jesus,
Each night may I do the same;
Each day and night, dark and light,
May I praise Your goodness to me, O God.
Each day may I show your chastening, O God;
May my mouth be full of Your wisdom,
May my life be lived in peace with You.
Each day may I count Your acts of mercy,
May I live under Your laws, O God;
Each day may my life be Your song,
May I harp every day Your praises.
May I give each day my love to You, Jesus,
Each night may I do the same;
Each day and night, dark and light,
May I praise Your goodness to me, O God.
Mantra Verse:
Into Your hand I commit my spirit;(Ps 31:5)
Psalm 116:7-9, 12-14 (ESV)
Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.
For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling;
I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living…
What shall I render to the LORD for all his benefits to me?
I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD,
I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people.
For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling;
I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living…
What shall I render to the LORD for all his benefits to me?
I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD,
I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people.
The Blessing:
O God, who has brought me from the rest of last night
To the joyous light of this day,
Bring me from the new light of this day
To the guiding light of eternity
To the joyous light of this day,
Bring me from the new light of this day
To the guiding light of eternity
