Let’s first look at possible short prayers each personality may say:
iNtuitive- Feeling (NF)
INFP: Lord, help me to finish everything I sta
INFJ: Lord help me no be a perfectionist. (Did I spell that correctly?)
ENFJ: God, help me to do only what I can, and trust you for the rest. Do you mind putting that in writing?
ENFP: God, help me keep my mind on one th—LOOK! A BIRD!—ing at a time.
INFJ: Lord help me no be a perfectionist. (Did I spell that correctly?)
ENFJ: God, help me to do only what I can, and trust you for the rest. Do you mind putting that in writing?
ENFP: God, help me keep my mind on one th—LOOK! A BIRD!—ing at a time.
(NF) iNtuitive-Feeling:
Augustinian Temperament
Augustinian Temperament
The Augustinian Prayer is similar to our prayer study week 5 praying with icons and music. NF or Augustinian temperament makes use of your imagination by transposing the words of the Scriptures and applies them to your situation today. This provides you with a personal reflection on the presence of God in His Word.
Luke’s Gospel is of particular interest to the NF personality. Jesus’ compassion for sinners… for women… and outcasts finds a responsive chord.
Of all the temperaments, the NF personality needs more time in prayer and quiet meditation than any of the others. For the NF personality such time is not a luxury but a necessity as far as personal development and relationship with God is concerned.
“What do these words of Scripture mean to me in my present situation?”
“What message is the Lord trying to convey to me in these ancient words of the Bible?”
By using their intuition in this transposition, the NF personality makes the Bible relevant to current personal and community problems and needs. In order to practice the Augustinian Prayer, the NF personality needs to open him/herself to one’s creative imagination. Usually good with words, both in speaking and writing, the NF personality type finds journal keeping not a chore but a joy.
Since the life of the NF personality revolves around personal relationships, this will also be true in the NF personality type’s prayer life. The NF should endeavor to create a good, loving relationship with each person of the Trinity: a parental relationship with the First Person; a brotherly, friendship relationship with Jesus; a spousal relationship of love with the Holy Spirit. Icons, statues, and other representations of art which express beautifully and symbolically a good relationship with God will also help the NF personality in prayer.
Luke’s Gospel is of particular interest to the NF personality. Jesus’ compassion for sinners… for women… and outcasts finds a responsive chord.
Of all the temperaments, the NF personality needs more time in prayer and quiet meditation than any of the others. For the NF personality such time is not a luxury but a necessity as far as personal development and relationship with God is concerned.
“What do these words of Scripture mean to me in my present situation?”
“What message is the Lord trying to convey to me in these ancient words of the Bible?”
By using their intuition in this transposition, the NF personality makes the Bible relevant to current personal and community problems and needs. In order to practice the Augustinian Prayer, the NF personality needs to open him/herself to one’s creative imagination. Usually good with words, both in speaking and writing, the NF personality type finds journal keeping not a chore but a joy.
Since the life of the NF personality revolves around personal relationships, this will also be true in the NF personality type’s prayer life. The NF should endeavor to create a good, loving relationship with each person of the Trinity: a parental relationship with the First Person; a brotherly, friendship relationship with Jesus; a spousal relationship of love with the Holy Spirit. Icons, statues, and other representations of art which express beautifully and symbolically a good relationship with God will also help the NF personality in prayer.
Guidelines:
- This prayer style should consist of a dialogue between God and yourself.
- We will follow the steps of Lectio Divina
- First choose a passage, some suggestions are:
- Ephesians 3:14-21 (replace you with me)
- 1Corinthians 13:4-8 (try putting your own name in the passage where the words love or charity are used)
- Matthew 7:1-5
- Find a comfortable place and center as before
- Read the passage two to three times
- Listen carefully to what God is telling you in the words of Scripture and try to read between the lines to discern the deeper meaning.
- Reflect prayerfully on the meaning and try to apply it to your situation today.
- Respond to God’s Word with appropriate personal feelings and dialogue in prayer
- Try to lead into contemplation by quieting down and becoming still in order to be open to any new insights that your intuition then reveals.
1Taken and adapted from http://www.msgr.ca/msgr/WEBPrayerHANDBOOK_17_thomistic_prayer.htm
Highland Shepherd Episcopal Anglican Church. The Reverend Canon Jim Irvine, Canon of ChristChurch
Cathedral.
2Michael, C.P., & Norrisey, M.C. (1984). Prayer and Temperament: Different Prayer Forms for Different Personality Types. Charlottesville VA: The Open Door. (p.88)
2Michael, C.P., & Norrisey, M.C. (1984). Prayer and Temperament: Different Prayer Forms for Different Personality Types. Charlottesville VA: The Open Door. (p.88)
