A few months ago I wrote of three different ways to pray and
promised to share more ways with you.
First, I will describe my personal daily prayer time pattern. For
many years now, I’ve adapted a prayer journal (PRAYERS OF MY HEART by Debbie
Taylor Williams) that lists the days of the week in rows down the side of a
double-page spread and leaves space for nine column headings across the top. I
use one spread per month and fill rows for only Monday through Friday. Weekends
I pray spontaneously about whatever is on my heart.
My column headings are Family, Friends of the Heart (my speaking
ministry team), Friends, Personal, Missions, Needs and Country. Even though
listed on various days, I pray for all but Friends and Missions on a daily
basis. I use this “listing” method because if I did not, I’d forget some of those
for whom I want to pray as time goes by. Yet there are just too many
friends and missionaries to pray for all on a daily basis.
My prayer time always starts by praising God for giving me
everything I need through His creation, praising Jesus for my salvation and
praising the Holy Spirit for His inspiration. Then I confess my sins before
going on to the columns. I finish with general thanksgiving and praise and sing
a song or two from a hymnal.
That’s my general pattern. When I’m ill, I may simply picture
myself curled in the lap of God, drawing comfort from Him. When I have early
appointments and miss my prayer time, I simply connect with God on the run.
Second, I refresh my prayer time any day of the week by using the
centering, scripture or lament styles I previously shared or one of the
following patterns, all of which Adele Ahlberg Calhoun describes in SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES.
Welcoming Prayer: This is my favorite. In this prayer, you simply
welcome God into the events and relationships that you’re praying about.
Instead of telling God what you want, you release your sense of control and
invite Jesus into the situation.
Calhoun suggests we notice when a person or event triggers
something within us and simply pray “Welcome, Jesus, welcome.” She suggests we
anticipate the events of the day and invite Jesus into them.
Conversational Prayer: In this style, we talk naturally to God as
we pray WITH others. We might do this when a friend expresses a need either in
person, by phone (or even in email). Just ask, “May I pray with you about
that?” and then talk to God about their need. You might suggest that the two of
you take turns praying. And you can pray conversationally with others in a
Bible study group (as I do with Friends of the Heart) or with a family member. My
husband and I take turns praying before meals and at bedtime.
It may be hard to get over self-consciousness (at least it was for
me) about praying out loud, but try it a time or two and the blessing outweighs
the initial discomfort.
Breath Prayer: This form of contemplative prayer is linked to the
in-and-out pattern of breathing. Calhoun suggests breathing in with a name of
God (Jesus, Father, Abba, Precious Lord) and breathing out with a brief
description of a need. I think of it simply as calling out to God throughout
the day with needs or with praises.
Now having said all that, I want to stress that prayer is simply
seeking God. There is no formula. We usually seek communion with God through
communication. But communion might also be realized wordlessly–sitting beneath
a tree, feeling a breeze, watching a flower. We simply need to be alone, be
quiet and be determined to draw closer to God. And He will draw closer to us.
Incorporate one of these ways of praying this week and you’ll be
blessed. No matter how or how frequently we pray, God hears our prayers. So let
us pray . . . one way or another.
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