Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. Colossians 3:16 One way to pray by listening is to listen to Scripture using a simple approach known as lectio divina, which simply means divine reading. It is a way of reading Scripture that allows the Spirit to use the words of the text to speak directly and deeply into our hearts and lives. In this way of reading, we slow down our reading and we … [Read more...] about Listening to Scripture as Prayer
Hearing as Prayer
After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, What are you doing here, Elijah? I King 19:12-13 The context of this story from the first book of Kings is that the prophet Elijah has fled for … [Read more...] about Hearing as Prayer
Seeing as Prayer
I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. Ephesians 1:18,19 Prayer is seeing. Prayer is having our eyes opened. It is having the eyes of our hearts enlightened to the hope to which God calls us, to the riches … [Read more...] about Seeing as Prayer
Listening as Prayer
The word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it. Love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. Deuteronomy 30: 14, 19 Many of us have only known prayer to be a one way conversation. We talk and God listens. But prayer is meant to be a two way conversation. Sometimes we talk. And sometimes we listen. It is true that the biblical … [Read more...] about Listening as Prayer
Remembering as Prayer
On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help I sing in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 63:6-7 Sometimes prayer is remembering the ways in which God has helped us. It is common for us to carry in our minds and bodies the memories of events that have been difficult, frightening or traumatic. It is common for us to live out of the … [Read more...] about Remembering as Prayer
Engaging in Battle as Prayer
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power...For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,..but against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms...Put on the full armor of God so that...you may stand your ground. Ephesians 6: 10-13 Prayer is standing strong in the middle of a spiritual battle. It is remembering that there is … [Read more...] about Engaging in Battle as Prayer
Persisting as Prayer
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. Luke 18: 1 Prayer is a way of life. Prayer is faithfulness. Prayer is persistence. Prayer engages us in conscious contact with God. In doing so, it offers to draw us into a life time relationship with our Source, our Life. Prayer is faithfulness to this relationship. Prayer also draws us into … [Read more...] about Persisting as Prayer
