Praise the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute, Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD. Psalm 150:1,4,6 Sometimes we suffer not only from denying and suppressing grief, but also from denying and suppressing joy. Joy, like grief, is a physical … [Read more...] about Dancing and Shouting for Joy as Prayer

Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them. Nehemiah 8:12 The context of this text is that the people of Israel had been released from captivity. They have just listened together to words from Scripture. They have listened to words inviting them into a … [Read more...] about Celebrating as Prayer

I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. The Lord is gracious and righteous, our God is full of compassion. Psalm 116:1,2,9 Sometimes prayer is a love song to God. It may be a song we sing, or words of gratitude we speak, or deep unspoken joy. As our eyes open to God's faithful love, as our … [Read more...] about Singing Love Songs to God as Prayer

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