DRAWING NEAR
Touch Stones:
Solid Basics of Prayer
If you feel disconnected to God and desire to plug in to the Power Source, this is a good place to start. Try any one of these articles:
Prayer Basics: Lectio Divina (praying scripture), Daily Examen, and more
Praying
Scripture (Lectio Divina)
by
Wanda Schwandt 2008
Praying
with scripture is a wonderful way to spend time with God and allow
God’s Word to sink deeply into your heart and mind. Lectio Divina,
or “Sacred Reading,” is an ancient method of prayer dating back to
the Middle Ages, often described as “digesting” scripture.
Prayer
is a Relationship (Daily Examen)
by
Wanda Schwandt 2008
Ignatius
of Loyola created a daily practice, called Prayer of Examen, which
brought to daily prayer the things he was thankful for, things he
needed God’s help in removing from his life, and centered on the quality
of his relationships with God and others. Below are two versions of
the Examen for you to try.
Prayer
without Words
by
Wanda Schwandt
Words
help us verbalize what we are feeling, help us process the illusive
ideas floating around our brain, and solidify our compassion when
interceding for others. We don't always know what to say or how to
pray. We become speechless with intense joy or tremendous sorrow.
Can we communicate with God when we struggle to express our innermost
thoughts and desires.
Practice
Quiet
by
Wanda Schwandt
Quieting
your soul takes practice, but the results are amazing. In today’s
lifestyle we rush from one thing to the next, always doing, always
busy. When we are preoccupied with worldly things, the holy seems
distant. Practice this quieting activity several times this week and
notice that it gets easier to find that quiet place away from daily
tensions. You now have a place to escape to when you need it.
30-Day
Prayer Experiment
Book
Review and article by Wanda Schwandt
In 1983, long before the Prayer of Jabez, Ben Johnson invited us to experiment with "An Adventure in Prayer." Johnson claimed that in 30 days "you will become aware of God at a depth you've never known before." He relates how the experiment changed him - from dull living to a transformed person with new insight and feeling.
Whole
Life Prayers
by
Victoria ReVera
What does it mean to "pray continually?" Surely it doesn’t mean that we spend our entire lives on our knees before God. I elicited the help of a few friends and asked for their ideas on how to pray continually. Whole Life Prayer is based on I Thess. 5:17 "pray continually."
No
Pain, No Gain
by
Glenn White
My prayer life, sometimes, is like walking. I know I should pray more
because of those special energizing times with God. But, at times,
it is hard to do. When I keep praying, despite wanting to give up,
then the rest of my day goes quite well.
5
Ways to Remain Faithful in Prayer
by
Wanda Schwandt
The
season of Lent - a time of contemplation and introspection - has passed
us for this year. But that does not mean that you need to reduce your
devotion to prayer and your closeness to God. Here are 5 ways to stay
connected.
Pray
Without Ceasing
by
Rachel Keller
A poem based on 1 Thessalonians 5:17. Rachel offers her perspective
on ways to pray always, using our senses and being alert to many opportunities
throughout the day.
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