Prayer
From the beginning of time, God has desired to be in relationship with us. Of all the spiritual disciplines, prayer is perhaps the most important because it ushers us into communion with God. The discipline of prayer has been described as the “opening of the heart to God as to a friend.” (E.G.White, Steps to Christ). God longs for us to share our innermost thoughts and feelings, to be with Him in our sadness, our fear, and our times of joy.

In Scripture, when face to face conversation was no longer possible, prayer became one of the ways people communed with God.  Throughout the Bible we read of many people praying a variety of prayers.  Moses pled with God to spare the Israelites (Exodus 32); Hannah begged God for a son (1Samuel 1); Nehemiah asked for forgiveness and for God’s favor to bless his plans (Nehemiah 1); David wrestled with God when he felt abandoned (Psalm 13); and Mary offered a prayer of praise (Luke 1).

 

There are many different ways to pray.  Some people prefer to pray aloud; others prefer prayers unspoken.  Regardless, prayer is an expression of our communion with the Lord.

If you have ever struggled to pray or aren’t quite sure what to say, try reflecting on the “Prayers for Living” below.  Or, to participate in an interactive prayer experience, follow any one of the suggestions under “Prayer Journey.”   It is our prayer that through these exercises you are able to find ways to connect with God in meaningful ways.

Prayers for Living  

God, we are grateful for life today.  We seek your direction as we assume our
            tasks.  May we lift the lives of others we meet today.  Amen.

God, in our world filled with stress, we thank you for your promise to provide
peace.  We invite you to direct our lives today and pray that we might contribute to peace and healing in the lives we touch this day.  Amen.

God, we pause at the beginning of this day, to thank you for the beauty of nature,
the rich colors of the sunrise, the sweet aroma of roses.  We pray that our lives
will reflect your beauty as we interact with others today.  Amen.

God, in a world filled with turmoil, we would seek peace.  In a world filled with hatred, we would practice kindness.  In a world where there is hurt, we would provide healing and wholeness through your grace.  Amen.

God, with the regular rising of the morning sun we are reminded of your consistent love for us.  Our prayer is that we might reflect that love to those with whom we meet today.  Amen.

God, when life brings us questions, we look to you for answers.  When life brings us stress, we look to you for peace.  When life brings us problems, we look to you for solutions.  Help us to be stepping stones, not stumbling blocks, to those we meet today.  Amen.

God, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord my Rock and my Redeemer.  (Ps. 19:14)  Amen.

God, it is so easy for our minds to rehearse all the negative things that exist in our life.  This morning turn our thoughts toward those things which are good.  Help us to find ways to promote goodness for others today.  Amen.

God, we acknowledge you as the creator of all life and all that is good.  Thank you for your interest in us personally.  We seek to reflect your love both to you and to those we meet as we go about our activities this day.  Amen.

 

Prayer Journey 

Life can be busy, and sometimes it is difficult to slow down. As you participate in this prayer journey, you will find places to pause, reflect, and participate. We invite you to begin the journey with an open heart and a willing spirit, allowing God’s work in your life to become apparent.

 

Distractions 

The needle of a compass points directly north.  However, when placed near a magnet the magnetic field pulls the needle toward a false north. In life God is our “true north,” but there are many things that can distract us from God.

Try this exercise for yourself.  Take a magnet and a compass in either hand and slowly move the magnet toward the compass and watch what happens.   Can you identify things in your life that are distracting you from God?  Slowly bring the magnet and the compass apart and find your “true north” as you focus on what God is saying to you.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength” (Deuteronomy 6:5)

 

Worries and Fears 

There are many things that weigh us down, becoming heavy burdens. We worry
about finances…and relationships…and our health.  Jesus says, “Come unto me,
all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest”(Matthew 11:28).

Take a piece of paper and write down all the worries you have.  Next take rocks (or other assorted items) and begin placing them in a bucket or a bowl.  Let this be a symbol of releasing your worries to God.  The next time you are tempted to worry go back and “pick up your rocks.” Remind yourself that God is in control and will carry your burdens for you.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6, NLT).

 

Intercession

Reflect upon those you love and who love you.  There may be things going on that might be causing them pain and distress.  Take a candle and light it.  As you light a candle for them, pray that God’s power and healing will be present in their life.

“The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results” (James 5:16, NLT).

 

Forgiveness

When we hold a grudge and harbor resentment toward others we are giving them control of our minds.  We thereby allow the very person who we dislike to take a prominent place in our thoughts. It has been said that forgiveness releases us from feelings we have no right to have, and it gives us a freedom we might have never thought possible. \

In the Bible God asks us to forgive one another.  It may be one of the toughest assignments in Scripture, but God reassures us by a steady hand to guide in the process.

Pray that God will give you the forgiveness you need to extend to those who have hurt you. Forgiveness does not mean that there will necessarily be a restored relationship. It does not mean there will be no consequences for what the other person has done. It does mean that you will be free from harboring anger and resentment toward another and you will experience an unimaginable peace.

Think of each person or situation that needs your forgiveness. Write the name or word on a piece of paper or a white board. Then, as you pray for a spirit of forgiveness, erase the name and reflect upon the clean slate

It may be that you need to experience God’s forgiveness for something you have done. Write down what you have done, confess your sin to God, and ask for forgiveness.  Then erase what you have done, and thank God for the gift of forgiveness.

“I alone will blot out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again” (Isaiah 43:25, NLT).

 

Gratitude

In the midst of our busy lives, it’s easy to focus on the things that go wrong.  But there are a thousand things that actually have gone right today. Take a few minutes to thank God for the many blessings you have; for the little miracles that have happened today and for the way God has worked in your life.

Take a pitcher and fill it with water.  Next, slowly pour the water into a cup.  As you start filling the cup, name off as many things as you can think of that make you happy.  Reflect on these blessings as the cup fills. 

“Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous! For praise from the upright is beautiful” (Psalm 33:1).

 

New Life 

God created humans and placed them on this planet to care for creation.  We have opportunities every day to be good stewards of this earth.

Go to a grocery store or a hardware store and find a packet of seeds.  Take one seed out of the packet and hold it in your hand. Just like you, this seed contains all the information it needs to reproduce itself and move from a state of dormancy to rich, full life.

Next, take the seeds and find an area where you can plant them. Think about the world that God has entrusted to our care. Think of ways you can show your appreciation for the gift of creation by caring for it in new ways. Then consider how God might like to work something new in your life. Look forward with hope to what God will grow in you.

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17, NLT).