Prayer Guide

Prayer is simply talking to God about what matters

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Prayer Practices

"Practices are the nuclear reactors of the Christian faith, arenas where the gospel and human life come together in energizing, even explosive ways. Practices create openings in our lives where the grace, mercy, and presence of God may be made known to us."
- Craig Dykstra

Centering Prayer

Remember that little game where you’d try to get three ball bearings to settle into their holes? That is what Centering Prayer is all about. It’s helping your soul settle into God’s Spirit. We live busy lives with ample responsibilities and distractions. They’re constantly pulling our attention away from the things that matter the most and leaving us stranded in the stressed-out parts of our lives. Centering Prayer seeks to bring God back into focus.

 

  1. Set aside about 15 minutes. Feel free to set a timer if it’ll help.
  2. Open with a simple prayer like: “God, I know you are here, always with me. Yet my heart and mind often stray. I’m here to be with you. Call me to you. Amen.”
  3. Choose a simple word, phrase, or verse from Scripture that expresses your desire for God. (e.g. love, peace, grace, Jesus, Great Shepherd). This word will guide your attention.
  4. Take time to become quiet. It is not unusual for the first minutes to be filled with many noisy thoughts. Don’t fret, let them go. Return your attention to the God presence and love by repeating your chosen word.
  5. It may be helpful to have a piece of paper to write your thoughts and worries down. Don’t dwell on them. Once their written, return to your chosen word.
  6. Trust that the Holy Spirit is with you, drawing you in, and caring for you soul.
  7. Take some time to come out of prayer. Don’t hurry. Focus on your breathe.
  8. Return to your word throughout your day. Especially in times when you feel anxiety, overwhelmed, or disconnected from God.
Unburdening the Soul

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus promises us rest and unburdened souls. Yet for many of us, we’re more like Martha, tired and burdened with many things. This prayer exercise to help you unload those things that weigh you down. No, it won’t fold the laundry or get you the big promotion. But it will restore your soul so that you can enjoy fullness, joy, and be more present.

  1. You’ll need a journal.
  2. Write down 4 words, leaving several lines between them: Mad, Sad, Worried, Glad.
  3. Spend 5-10 minutes writing down those things in your life that you are mad, sad, worried, or glad about. Skip around as much as you need.
  4. After you’re done writing, offer up to God everything on the list and ask God to show you any patterns or connections between your burdens.
    – Is there are broken relationship?
    – Are finances or intimacy an issue?
    – Is your past haunting you or a habit that needs to be addressed?
  5. After reflection, this is important, thank God for his grace that carries your burdens for you. Express your desire to see shalom in these areas as you hand your anger, sadness, and worry over you God. Share your joy and delight for the things you are glad about.
  6. Close your time reading Matthew 11:28-30 (at the top)
Gratitude Prayer

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever

Psalm 136:1

Gratitude is one of the most important weapons for joy we have. It refocuses our soul on God’s love in our lives. It is also a powerful antidote to the materialism and status-seeking we’re all susceptible.

  1. A journal is helpful but not necessary. You can also do this as part of a walk, breaking it into different sections.
  2. Spend a 3-5 minutes working through each gratefulness prompt. Thanking God for his hessed – his active love towards you.Start shallow, what are simple, even petty, things that you enjoy about your life?

    Where is your life trending to greater shalom? What is getting better right now? How are you finding joy in your relationships? What are some highlights from the past week or month? Think through every important relationship. How have you experienced God’s goodness? Love? Faithfulness? Over the past month.

     

  3.  Close your time inviting God to work in 2-3 key areas of your life. Ask for eyes to see more of him in your life and in your world.

 

Ancient Prayers

Here are some prayers from other believers that have been handed down. Praying these prayers is like singing a chorus centuries old. Seeking that God will do for you what he has done for many others.

Prayer for Peace - St Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;

where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,

grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;

to be understood, as to understand;

to be loved, as to love;

for it is in giving that we receive,

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

Amen.

The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity

To accept the things I cannot change;

Courage to change the things I can;

And wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;

Enjoying one moment at a time;

Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;

Taking, as He did, this sinful world

As it is, not as I would have it;

Trusting that He will make all things right

If I surrender to His Will;

So that I may be reasonably happy in this life

And supremely happy with Him in the next;

Forever and ever.  Amen.

 

Anima Christi - Contemporary Version

Jesus, may all that is you flow into me.

May your body and blood be my food and drink.

May your passion and death be my strength and life.

Jesus, with you by my side, enough has been given.

May the shelter I seek be the shadow of your cross.

Let me not run from the love which you offer,

But hold me safe from the forces of evil.

On each of my dyings shed your light and your love.

Keep calling to me until that day comes, when with your saints,

I may praise you forever.

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