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Reframing what you may have been taught about prayer.
Last month I shared about the different seasons of prayer we may experience. As with everything else, there's natural ebbs and flows to our prayer life. We may find something that breathes new life into our routine, but over time it begins to fall a little flat as well. That's why I'm taking a deeper look into prayer with the hope that I can offer some suggestions, and take some of the pressure off your perhaps already full plate.
Now, I don't know about you, but for a long time I thought prayer was about sitting in one spot, head bowed, rhyming off all the things I wanted God to do, or change. Like a grocery list, and if I could make it through I was good. Then I tried some different things, but still with that list mentality. For a while, I tried prayer journals/binders, which was a great fit for me because I love to journal. I'll be honest, this is something I continue today... with a twist. In my first iteration of prayer journals/binders, I had the binder separated out into different days, and who/what I would pray for depending on the day of the week. There's the always helpful devotionals, and for a while I used prayer apps (you can find some suggestions on my Resources page).
What most of my prayers consisted of was me talking. Me sharing. Me telling. There was very little of me reflecting, or me listening. This is what I believed prayer was because, quite simply, I hadn't been taught any different. Are you in the same boat? You're not alone.
What if there's more?
So much more that can really change not only your perception of God, but yourself, and your life?
For instance, what if all of your life is an act of prayer?
Your laughter.
Your conversations with others.
Reading a book.
Eating dinner.
Brushing your teeth.
Drawing,
... and so much more.
Now, I'm not trying to add a legalistic hinge into your prayer life. I'm not saying "You have to be good at all times or you're not praying." I hope you've been around my page, or me, long enough to realize that's not what I'm about. There's grace in everything.
If the idea that all of life is an act of prayer appeals to you, I encourage you to consider these questions:
What brings you joy?
What are you passionate about?
Where did you experience goodness?
If you're in a period of waiting, what's helping you?
Hint: Maybe it's complaining (lamenting, in the Bible) about the fact that you have to wait.
What made you laugh?
What made you cry?
What do you wish would change?
What are your blind spots?
How did you help someone else?
How did you experience help from someone else?
If you're here because you were hoping to find some prayer "methods," don't worry, I've got you covered. At the same time I caution against doing something because you "have to."
Looking to engage the Bible more?
Try lectio divina.
Rewrite the passage your reading in your own words.
Check out my earlier post on Reading the Bible.
When Jesus asks a question, answer it for yourself, then dig deeper.
Ex: "What do you want?" or "Who do you say I am?"
Who taught me that response? Were they a good influence?
How do I feel about my answer?
Where did that come from?
Read the Psalms as if they were your own prayer.
Compare a couple different translations.
Ask yourself questions.
What do you wonder?
What do you think?
What do you know?
What do you want to know more about?
Want to spend time with the Spirit?
Set a time for 20 minutes, and sit silently.
Yes, sit. In one spot, without doing anything.
Take deep breathes.
When your mind wanders, just bring it back. It's okay.
Turn on meaningful music.
This doesn't have to be Christian music.
Contemplate God's creation.
Write a poem about a leaf.
Consider the movement of water.
Enjoy time in the sunshine (or storm).
Ask yourself.
Where did you feel close to Spirit in the last 24 hours?
Where did you feel away from Spirit?
What would you change?
Looking for something more out of the box?
Paint/draw/doodle your prayers.
Write a short story.
Engage your body, and dance.
Make a labyrinth collage.
Create a vision board.
Read different theologians.
Other ideas:
Help a friend in need.
Check in on a neighbour.
Do laundry.
Go for a walk/drive.
De-clutter (if you're into that).
See? There are so many "ways" to pray... so much more than simply spending an hour in the morning in prayer, or 5 minutes. And if that's what you can do, what you like to do, then that's great! Find what you love, and grow with God in it.
Every month I share a blog post based on questions I've been asked, or topics related to spiritual formation that interest me.
If you enjoy these posts, or you'd like me to answer one of your questions, I'd love to hear from you!
You can fill out my contact form or send me an email at acspiritualdirection@gmail.com.
If you're looking for something more...
I'm doing my best to share weekly writings on my Substack page called Gracious Tension.
This is where you'll find everything from historical Christian women to lessons from a rogue rooster.
Each time I publish something new my readers get an email sent directly to their inbox.
I would love it if you'd join me.
Simply join my mailing list at the bottom of this page, and you're in!
Helpful Resources:
Prayer by Richard Foster
Awakening the Creative Spirit by Christine Valters Paintner & Betsy Beckman
Prayer, Stress and Our Inner Wounds by Flora Wuellner
Praying in Color by Sybil MacBeth
50 Ways to Pray by Teresa A Blythe
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