Prayer

Here we have a short page designed to encourage you in your life with God as you approach prayer. We know that the subject of prayer can be quite intimidating for people. Know this: we are all practicing the way of Jesus, and that includes practicing prayer. None of us are experts in prayer - in many ways we are all beginners even after all these years. We are so grateful for those who’ve been practicing prayer for long seasons of life and can offer us guidance, hope, and direction.

Dallas Willard helps us when he said, “Prayer to God is intelligent conversation about matters of mutual concern.” Prayer is conversation with God, and we hope the information below can serve as a blessing in your relationship with Him.

Place - plan to pray by having a place you frequent to have conversation with God. This may seem irrelevant or unnecessary, and while it is true you can pray anywhere anytime, having a particular space may serve as a blessing as you look to grow in consistency with prayer. Some examples could be a chair or area in your home. The back deck of your apartment. A walking path in a local park or neighborhood. Your car as you prepare to enter into the work day.

Preset Time - plan to pray by having a preset time each day that you have scheduled to meet with God. Again, this may seem irrelevant or unnecessary, however many have found it helpful to have a set window of time that is set apart for the Lord. Daniel 6:10 shares of how Daniel specifically had three times a day that he went to pray. Many use Daniel as an example for setting up a plan to pray morning, Noon, and evening.

Posture of the heart - plan to pray in varying ways throughout the day. It can refresh your heart and mind to approach the Lord in prayer for different reasons. Sometimes it is helpful just to sit in His presence and practice receiving His love. Sometimes there is an urgency for local or global events to call upon the Lord to intervene. Other seasons it’s vital to prayer through Scriptures. Below are a few ways that Christians over the centuries have prayed. This is not an exhaustive list but a helpful starting place.

Here are some forms of prayer that many have found helpful over the centuries:

Listening prayer – this practice is best in silence, solitude, and stillness.  You may want to bring a journal and pen to this moment of prayer.  You can sit quietly before the Lord, and prepare to receive His love for you.

“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

“He restores my soul.” Psalm 23:3

Lectio Divina – this practice of prayer is laid out graciously each morning through the Lectio 365 App we recommend. It is a free app with morning, noon, and evening prayer. Lectio Divina is a way of praying that incorporates a short passage of Scripture and follows four steps: read, meditate upon the Scripture, pray, and contemplate.

“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night.” Psalm 1:1-2

Intercession – this practice of prayer is where we lift up the needs, situations, and lives of others around us and around the world.  In this prayer experience we are turning to the Lord on behalf of others.  Some find it helpful to have a list of needs in front of them that they bring as they intercede for others. 

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” 1 Timothy 2:1-2

Prayer of Examen – this practice of prayer is laid out graciously each evening through the Lectio 365 App we recommend.  It is a free app with morning, noon, and evening prayer.  The Prayer of Examen has a long history in Christianity, and has been used for centuries as a time of prayer to invite the Holy Spirit to examine our hearts.  Through this prayer we become aware of God’s loving presence, reflect on our day, confess any wrong doing before the Lord, repent, and are reassured of His deep love for us.

“23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24

Example of incorporating prayer into my day:

Morning - listening prayer; Lectio Divina; moment of intercession for the day

Noon - listening prayer;

Evening - Prayer of Examen

*You may want to begin by simply following the Lectio 365 App. Morning prayer is typically 12 minutes, Noon prayer is 5 minutes, and Evening prayer is 12 minutes.