What is prayer?
Prayer is a sacred and cherished practice that allows us to connect with the divine presence of God. It is a moment of tranquility where we can lay our burdens, hopes, and gratitude before the creator. With bowed heads and open hearts, we seek solace, guidance, and strength in his divine embrace. Through prayer we find comfort in knowing that we are not alone, and our words are heard by a compassionate and loving God.
A healthy rhythm of prayer is about doing not .
Intimacy with God is by our own lack of belief in God’s love and desire to draw near to us.
Question for reflection:
What is standing between me and abiding in Christ.
Personal Prayer Practices—
1. and
Psalm 46:10 ESV
Be still and know that I am God.
Isaiah 30:15 ESV
For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”
The Solitude of Jesus: Mark 1:12-13, Mark 1:35, Luke 5:16, Luke 6:12-13, Mark 14:13, John 6:15
> Jesus’ life and were deeply upon solitude and stillness.
Without , other things can more easily be for the Holy Spirit.
[anxiousness, ambition, guilt, fear, etc.]
Solitude eventually offers a quiet gift of grace, a gift that comes whenever we are able to face ourselves honestly: the gift of acceptance, of compassion, for who we are as we are. As we allow ourselves to be known in solitude, we discover that we are known by love. Beyond the pain of self-discovery there is a love that does not condemn us but calls us to itself. This love receives us as we are. —Parker Palmer
Helpful Tools:
2. Prayer
Guided prayers help us…
-
- When we don’t have words to pray.
- Avoid self-absorption and comparison.
- Apply deep and intentional theology to our prayer life.
- Learn how to pray.
Helpful Tools: The Bible App, Daily Office
3. Praying with
Lectio Divina—
P: to be still.
R: & on Scripture.
A: for God’s help
Y: to His will in your life.
Helpful Tools: Praying with the Psalms; 24-7 Prayer;
4. Journaling and
Lamentations 3:40 NIV
Let us examine our ways, test them, and return to the Lord.
Psalm 139:23-24 NLT
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
Prayer of Examen:
-
Prayerfully replay the events of the past day/week/month/year
-
- What moments am I most grateful for?
- What moments am I least grateful for?
-
Talk with God about what stood out from your day.
- What might God be telling you through your experiences and feelings?
- What attitudes or behaviors should and ask forgiveness for?
-
Contemplate tomorrow.
- What opportunities lie ahead?
- Which situations might need God’s grace?
- Visualize the potential moments with Him by your side.
-
Spend a few moments to be with God, listening for Him and finding peace in His presence.
Helpful Tool: The Prayer of Examen
5. Prayer
Matthew 5:9-13 NKJV
In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Matthew 26:40 NLT
Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour?
Helpful Tools: The Lord’s Prayer, The Prayer Cycle
Stretch Goal—
without
Philippians 4:6-7 NLT
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
If you and I are going to enjoy the peace of paradise during this life we must become accustomed to a familiar, humble and very affectionate conversation with the Lord Jesus. You must stop your spirit from wandering from the Lord no matter what the circumstances are. —Brother Lawrence
Prayer is simply…
with Jesus
to Jesus
to Jesus
View the 24-7 How to Pray Toolshed for many great prayer guides.