Seek the Lord and Live
Recently two friends of mine have started training for a half-marathon coming up in September. As any wise runner does, they have a training plan to get them in shape for the race. But at the same time they’ve started a second training plan – a spiritual training plan.
Recently I was talking with a friend about some time they spent with God and they mentioned listening to God. Then the book I’m reading right now talked about listening to God. I’ve felt for a while that I’m not particularly good at the “listening” part of my time with God. Continue reading “Really Silent Prayer”
I’m not sure where I got this idea originally but it’s been one of my most helpful over the last year or two.
The basic idea is to find some scripture that speaks to you about your relationship with God, and then personalize into a prayer you can pray in the future.
A common practice I use in my God time is called “palms down, palms up”. I found it originally in Celebration of Discipline by Richard J. Foster, in the chapter on meditation.
A few months ago I found the prayer of Examen. Originally taught by St. Ignatius, it’s more of a prayer structure than an exact prayer itself. There are lots of variations on it. I like to use the prayer occasionally at night, a little before bed, to examine my day with God.
Here’s a creative idea for your God time. It might be especially helpful if you’re crafty or a visual person. Make a prayer collage!
Here’s the idea: Get a bulletin board, or a large piece of construction paper, or a piece of cardboard. Then find pictures of your friends and family and people you want to pray for. Print them out if they’re on your computer or phone. Don’t have a good picture? Go on their social media and get one. Once you have your pictures, attach them to your cardboard, etc. Now if you’re crafty you can decorate it up real nice. If you’re not crafty, don’t worry about it.
Amos 5:6 