On Prayer-

“Prayer is taking a chance that, against all odds and past history, we are loved and chosen.” Ann Lamott

“To clasp the hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against the world.” Karl Barth

“We pray because our life comes from God and we yield it back. Prayer is the great antidote to the illusion we are self-made.” Walter Brueggemann

“Attentiveness is the heart of prayer. Simone Weil

“If you say only one prayer in a day, make it thank you.” Rumi

 

Some Simple Prayer Practices-

The Prayer that Jesus taught us- When we don’t know how or what to pray, pray the prayer that Jesus taught us.

 

Help Thanks Wow- Ann Lamott has written a book where she names Help. Thanks. Wow. as three essential prayers. Perhaps you could find a moment each day for a prayer around these three words.

 

Praying the Psalms- The Psalms are the Bible’s Prayerbook and take up the whole range of human emotion. You can pray through the psalms by reading a psalm or list

ening to one and allowing its words to direct your own prayer. For a slower practice, try reading the same Psalm each day for a week.

 

Using a Taize Chant- The Taize community in France puts short reflections to repetitive and simple music. Find one to listen to and sing along. Let it return to you throughout the day.

 

Christian Meditation- Meditation has a rich history within Christian tradition. Sit down. Close your eyes. Breathe normally and use a simple word or phrase as a centre. The World Community for Christian Meditation recommends using the ancient Christian prayer Maranatha (Our Lord has come). There is information about this practice and resources to guide you at https://wccmaustralia.org.au/

 

Prayer Walk- Take a walk around your block/uni/workplace/somewhere and pay attention to what you see/hear/smell/encounter. Who do you see. What is happening. What makes you wonder. Pray for these things and offer your wonderings to God. This is a great activity for people of all ages!

 

Speaking Grace before meals- Take the short moment before eating to remember that you are God’s and be thankful.

 

Some apps that might be helpful-

Book of Common Prayer- “Common prayer helps today’s diverse church pray together across traditions with morning, midday, and evening prayers for every day of the year.”

 

Some websites you can visit and follow to help you pray through the week-

Verse and Voice- Sojourners Magazine, based in the USA, sends out a daily email with a short Scripture reading, a short contemporary reading, and a short prayer. https://sojo.net/email-signup

The Edge of the Enclosure- Each week Suzanne Guthrie puts together prayers, Bible readings, and wisdom from the early church.     http://www.edgeofenclosure.org/

 

Lectionary Doodles– Karen Mitchell-Lambert has created colouring pages for a variety of Scripture readings. If colouring is your thing, this could be a helpful way to pray https://lectionarydoodles.wordpress.com/about-2/

 

 

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