As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My commandment is this, love each other as I have loved you. John 15: 9-12 Jesus told his followers … [Read more...] about Being Open to Joy as Prayer

O Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! Many are saying of me, "God will not deliver him." But you are a shield around me, O Lord, you bestow glory on me and lift up my head. Psalm 3:1-3 We all know what it is like to feel judged by others. And what it is like when we judge ourselves. We know how painful it is to feel like we are defective. We know what it is like to be … [Read more...] about Experiencing Glory as Prayer

Give thanks to the Lord for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalm 118:1 Give thanks! God is good! God's love endures forever! The Lord is good. The Lord's love is constant, strong, enduring. We give thanks in acknowledgment of this goodness and this unshakable love. We give thanks to celebrate these most fundamental truths about our Maker. Some of us hesitate to express gratitude to … [Read more...] about Practicing Gratitude as Prayer

They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 2: 42 Sometimes prayer is joining hands and voices in worship, in petition, in confession, in grief and in joy. Praying with others reminds us that when we pray, whether we are by ourselves or in a congregation of worshippers, we never really pray alone. Prayer always joins … [Read more...] about Joining Hands and Voices as Prayer

Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'" Luke 4:8 When we pray, we open our hearts and minds to the God of love. Prayer allows us to experience God's active love directly. And prayer draws us into serving this One who is love. Our service, then, becomes a form of prayer. Unfortunately, however, not all acts of service are acts of serving the God … [Read more...] about Serving as Prayer

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 Prayer is more than our conversations with God. It is our life with God. Prayer is the life we live, the daily choices we make, the justice and mercy we show. These words from the prophet Micah are God's response to a series of questions … [Read more...] about Seeking Justice and Mercy as Prayer

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. Numbers 6: 24-26 Prayer includes actively receiving words and deeds of blessing. Strangely enough this is something we sometimes resist. When people thank us for something we did or said that touched their lives in some way we may dismiss the … [Read more...] about Receiving from Others as Prayer