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

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

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

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

My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God; on behalf of a man he pleads with God as one pleads for a friend. Job 16:20-21 In Richard Foster's book Prayer, he introduces the topic of intercession by saying, "Intercession is a way of loving others." In praying for someone else's well being we join our spirits with their spirits, our hearts with their hearts. We … [Read more...] about Interceding as Prayer

In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Psalm 4:4 Examen is the practice of prayerful reflection at the end of the day. It is the practice of lying on our beds and silently searching our hearts. Examen is a practice that can help us identify where we are receiving God's help and where we are needing to ask for God's help. Days tend to blur … [Read more...] about Practicing Examen as Prayer

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 God invites us to pray about every anxiety. Every time we are anxious we are invited "by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, to … [Read more...] about Bringing our Requests to God as Prayer

I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. Psalm 40:1 We live in a world of instant everything. We value speed. This is true not only in our culture at large, but in our spirituality. When we pray, we want to see results. And we want to see them now. Our need for quick results is especially urgent when we, or someone we love, is in distress. If we cry out to God in a … [Read more...] about Waiting as Prayer

You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you. Hear my prayer, O Lord; listen to my cry for mercy. In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me. Psalm 86:5-7 Sometimes prayer is a cry from our heart. It is a raw pleading for mercy in times of trouble. There may be times of trouble when we find ourselves thinking, "I can't go to God in … [Read more...] about Crying as Prayer

Trust in him at all times, O people, pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Psalm 62:8 When we listen with an open heart to the outpouring of another person's heart, something happens. A bond forms. A closeness grows. And out of this relationship healing begins to take place. But sharing one's heart requires trust in the other person. It requires trust that the other person … [Read more...] about Pouring Out Our Hearts as Prayer