Prayer Practice Week 1
Talking to God
Prayer is simply the medium through which we communicate and commune with God. The practice of prayer is learning to set aside dedicated time to intentionally be with God, in order to become like him and partner with him in the world. This sessionâs Practice will focus on the pragmatics of prayer. One of the single most important tasks of discipleship to Jesus is starting, habituating, and fine-tuning a daily prayer rhythm. Your daily prayer can be simple and brief. And as essential as sleeping, eating, and drinking. This is what will keep you praying in the days, months, and years to come.
Below you will find steps to help you engage with this practice over the next four weeks, as well as resources for further exploration.
Ways to engage with the Prayer Practice
First and foremost, this practice (and all practices) are meant to be done in community. If you haven't yet, find a small group of people that are commited to walking through this practice together.
Download the Prayer Practice Guide. If you can, it is advised to print it out to reduce the distraction of our devices.
Gather with your group once a week to watch the Practicing the Way video found below. This will include questions for discussion, as well as a short teaching on that week's practice.
Step into each practice as much as you are able and feel comfortable to. This invitation is for everyone at all stages of life and faith.
Reflect on your experience of the practice using the reflection questions at the bottom of the guide and be prepared to share them the next time you gather with your group.
Recommended Reading
Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools by Tyler Staton (Chapters 1-3)
Rule of Life Podcast
Prayer Practice Guide
Download the practice guide here
Week 1 Practice - Create a daily prayer rhythm
Decide on a time and a place to pray, if possible, every day this week.
Decide on and commit to a time duration. Donât overreach. Start where you are. If you donât pray daily, aim for 10-15 minutes. If you pray for 10-15 minutes, consider upping it to half an hour. Just take the next step.
Create routines or rituals you actually enjoy to make your daily prayer habit something you look forward to all day long â light a candle, make yourself coffee or tea, sit by a window you love, go outside, savor the quiet, or put on worship music.
Those of you who are more kinesthetic may find it helpful to pray while walking, inside or in nature, or with something to keep your hands busy, like knitting or drawing.
Ultimately, work with your personality, not against it.
Week 1 Reflection Questions
Before your next time together with the group for Week 2, take five minutes to journal out your answers to the following three questions about the practice:
Where did I feel resistance in prayer? Internally or externally?
Where did I feel Delight?
Where did I most experience God's nearness?
