Prayer Practice Week 2
Talking With God
In Session 02, we begin to learn how to talk with God. Praying pre-made prayers is a beautiful way to pray. Itâs where we start our prayer journey, and itâs a place we revisit all through our lives. But at some point in our life of prayer, we desire to pray our own words to God â to share whatâs on our mind, our heart. Our pain, our joy, our hopes and fears. We canât help but desire to interact with God in a more authentic, personalized way.
Below you will find steps to help you engage with this practice, 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 4-5)
Rule of Life Podcast
Prayer Practice Guide
Download the practice guide here
Week 2 Practice - Begin and/or end your day with gratitude
While thereâs no ârightâ way to practice gratitude, we encourage you to use your imagination and creativity to âgive thanks in all circumstances,â as written in 1 Thessalonians 5v18.
Here are a few ideas:
Begin your daily prayer time by giving thanks for three gifts of the day.
Give thanks during everyday moments like while you commute to work, take a shower, or walk your dog.
Keep a gratitude journal.
Write out three gratitudes on a small piece of paper each morning, and then carry them in your pocket all day long.
Go around the table at dinner with your family, spouse, roommates, or community and say what you are thankful for.
However you do it, at least once a day, pause, and give thanks for at least three good things in your life.
Week 2 Reflection Questions
Before your next time together with the group for Week 3, take five minutes to journal out your answers to the following three questions about the practice:
What aspect of last session's excercises were most difficult for you? Gratitude, lament, or asking?
Do you have any stories of answered prayer? Or unanswered prayer?
Where did I most experience God's nearness?
