As Christians, we are called to a deep and transformative relationship with Jesus Christ. This journey can be understood through four stages of spiritual growth: Foundational, Awakened, Contemplative, and Unitive. TAPPING is a method of personal prayer that helps us journey through these stages.
TAPPING is not merely a set of steps—it is a growing encounter with Christ. Inspired by the Transfiguration (Mt 17:1–8) and the conversion of Zacchaeus (Lk 19:1–10), TAPPING moves us from structured prayer into a way of life where we live in constant communion with God. Through each stage, TAPPING helps align our will, actions, and entire life with Jesus through grace.
What is TAPPING?
TAPPING consists of seven spiritually rich elements:
- Thanksgiving – Gratitude for God’s blessings
- Adoration – Worship of God’s majesty
- Pardon – Asking and giving forgiveness
- Praise – Glorifying God’s goodness
- Intercession – Praying for others
- New Life – Seeking personal renewal in Christ
- Good Action – Resolving to imitate Jesus in daily life
In the early stages, TAPPING is usually practiced with a 30-minute audio guide or the TAPPING book As the soul matures, it naturally grows into a free-flowing rhythm of prayer and grace, woven into the everyday fabric of life.
1. Foundational Stage: Walking with Jesus
Overview
The foundational stage mirrors the early walk of the disciples—zealous but vulnerable to discouragement and failure (Mt 16:21–23). TAPPING at this stage is a structured practice that fosters discipline and desire for union of will with Christ. Here inspite of several failures, confusions and seeing some of their friends leaving the Lord (Jn 6), they kept following Christ.
TAPPING in This Stage
You begin using a 30-minute audio or a booklet to guide you through the seven elements. You may struggle with distractions or feel mechanical in your responses. It’s easy to stall in one step or lose focus. But the key here is not perfection—it is consistency, surrender, and trust in grace.
Do not be discouraged by distractions or repeated failures. Instead, whenever you feel weak or stuck:
- Surrender everything that went wrong on that day in your life.
- Wash your failures in the Precious Blood of Jesus.
- During the New Life step, gently discuss with Jesus why you fell, what led to it, and how He can lead you forward.
Grace at Work
“Moved by grace, man turns toward God and away from sin.” (CCC 2010)
Even when prayer feels dry or clumsy, grace is at work. Like Zacchaeus who longed to see Jesus (Lk 19:3), your desire to pray—even amidst chaos—is already the movement of grace.
Wisdom from the Saints
“I am only a child, powerless and weak. Yet my weakness gives me the boldness to offer myself to Your Love, O Jesus!”
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Story of a Soul
Practical Guidance
- Use the 30-minute TAPPING audio or the book to stay focused.
- Don’t worry if you lose focus—start again, gently.
- Surrender all struggles and sins to Jesus, especially during “New Life.”
- Remember: it’s about growing love, not perfect performance.
2. Awakened Stage: Climbing the Mountain
Overview
This stage reflects the disciples’ climb with Jesus toward the mountain of Transfiguration (Mt 17:1). TAPPING shifts into personal, mental prayer, and your actions begin to mirror your growing love for God. Here, we experience union of action through effort and grace. In this stage one needs to intentionally set aside time and make conscious effort to follow the seven steps of TAPPING.
TAPPING in This Stage
You begin to pray without audio or book. The seven elements emerge from your heart naturally. You intercede for others during your day. You seek Good Action in your choices. Yet, it still requires determination and focus so in this stage too we follow the structure of TAPPING.
What becomes crucial in this stage is:
- Constantly praising the Lord throughout your day, especially during prayer. It may not be a very joyful or spontaneous like the contemplative level but we need to intentionally do it.
- Be mindful of the Consolation & Desolation interplay.
- After praising, pause and listen to God’s voice—He often speaks in stillness after worship.
- In the New Life step, deeply examine your heart:
- Where do I need to grow?
- Which area still resists grace?
- What is God asking of me today?
Grace at Work
Grace strengthens your will and helps you persevere. Like Zacchaeus climbing the tree to encounter Jesus (Lk 19:4), your soul now exerts effort—not to earn love, but to respond more fully to it.
“Run in such a way that you may win the prize.” (1 Cor 9:24)
Your cooperation with grace becomes essential—your “wedding garment” of effort (Mt 22:12) that prepares you for deeper union.
Wisdom from the Saints
“These souls work with great diligence to advance in virtue.”
—St. Teresa of Ávila, Interior Castle (Third Mansions)
Practical Guidance
- Set aside a few minutes to repeat a Bible verse reflectively with concious inhaling and exhailing before TAPPING daily.
- Praise God throughout the day, especially before prayer.
- After Praise, pause a while and ask God to speak to you
- Use “New Life” to identify specific areas for conversion. Be aware of the consolation & desolation interplay.
- Keep a note with you and write down whatever you see when you ask the Lord to speak. We need not be worried about the meaning or interpretations at the early stages.
3. Contemplative Stage: The Transfiguration Experience
Overview
This stage reflects the moment of beholding Jesus in glory (Mt 17:2). TAPPING becomes joyful, spontaneous, and led by grace. Your prayer now flows through your whole life, even during tasks. This is union of action through grace.
TAPPING in This Stage
You no longer follow a rigid format. The seven elements emerge at various times—Thanksgiving at work, Intercession during a walk, or Praise in traffic. At least two or three times a week, you surrender your heart in deep prayer, especially when wounds or sins disturb your peace. Use these moments to let Jesus cleanse you in His Blood, restoring your joy and focus.
In the contemplative stage, TAPPING becomes a joyful, grace-filled experience where moments of deep peace and closeness to God envelop you, often without words. You may rest in Christ’s presence for hours, lost in His embrace, as prayer flows effortlessly, transforming your heart with divine love.
Grace at Work
TAPPING becomes a gentle interior movement, like breathing. You desire to remain in God’s presence. Even simple gestures—smiling, helping, listening—become infused with divine love.
“Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength.” (Is 40:31)
Biblical Insight
Zacchaeus’ joyful welcome of Jesus (Lk 19:6) shows how grace transforms action into joyful response. Like the disciples beholding Jesus’ glory, your heart now delights in Him.
Wisdom from the Saints
“In contemplation, God teaches the soul and moves it.”
—St. John of the Cross, The Ascent of Mount Carmel
Practical Guidance
- Allow the seven elements of TAPPING to flow naturally.
- Respond to interior promptings with simple prayers of Thanksgiving, or praising or intercession etc.
- When disturbed or tempted, surrender to Jesus and ask for cleansing with His blood there and then without waiting for doing it in the evening.
- Stay rooted in the duties of your state in life. Contemplation doesn’t remove responsibilities – it sanctifies them. TAPPING lifts all our thoughts, words and actions including duties and responsibilities into the contemplative level.
4. Unitive Stage: Living in Union with God
Overview
This stage reflects life after descending the mountain (Mt 17:9), fully united with Christ and His mission. TAPPING is no longer something you do—it’s who you are. Your life reflects union of life, where Christ lives in you and through you.
TAPPING in This Stage
The seven elements of TAPPING are no longer steps, but the rhythm of your heart. Thanksgiving, Adoration, Intercession, and Praise emerge at every moment. Your soul constantly listens, responds, and loves.
This stage requires humility. Spiritual direction is essential to remain grounded in reality and avoid spiritual pride.
Grace at Work
“It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” (Gal 2:20)
Like a branch grafted into the Vine (Jn 15:5), your being radiates Christ to the world. You become a living sacrament of His presence.
Biblical Insight
Zacchaeus, once selfish, now gives half of his goods to the poor and makes restitution (Lk 19:8). His whole life is changed. This is the fruit of union: a transformed life bearing witness to God’s mercy.
Wisdom from the Saints
“The soul is now so transformed into God that it cannot be separated from Him.”
—St. Teresa of Ávila, Interior Castle (Seventh Mansions)
Practical Guidance
- Let your work, service, and relationships flow from your union with God.
- Live each day in the spirit of the seven elements.
- Stay in regular spiritual direction to remain humble and open to God’s ongoing work.
Conclusion: Let TAPPING Transform Your Journey
TAPPING is more than a prayer—it is a way of being formed into Christ. From the struggles and distractions of the Foundational Stage to the structured habit of the Awakened Stage, TAPPING builds discipline, guiding us through the joyful freedom of the Contemplative Stage. In the Unitive Stage, TAPPING transforms our entire life into constant communion with God, drawing us into ever-deepening intimacy with Him.
Whether you’re struggling to stay focused or already living in God’s presence, TAPPING meets you where you are—and brings you where God wants you to be.
“Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Pt 3:18)
“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Mt 5:16)
Begin today. Surrender. Praise. Listen. Love. Let TAPPING become your path of transformation, your daily encounter with the living God.
Vox Divini 