Exploring Prayer
Lord, as we enter this first week of our Lenten journey, guide us on the path that leads to you. Fill our hearts with gratitude, patience, strength and peace. Help us to grow closer to you this Lent through the practice of prayer. In your name we pray, Amen.
Any concern too small to be turned into prayer is too small to be made into a burden. - Corrie Ten Boom
BREAKING THE ICE
Reflect on a time when someone stepped in and helped you when you had a need. How did this affect your situation?
REFLECTION
This week, I found myself re-reading some of the journals of John & Charles Wesley. These two brothers started a movement while attending Oxford as young college students that later revived the Church of England and eventually became the denomination our church is a part of as United Methodists. They are two Christian role models, who engaged in prayer throughout their life.
As children, they learned the habit of prayer from their mother Susanna Wesley, as well as the other spiritual disciplines. She taught them that prayer was essential to the very fabric of their life. And yet, their faith journey, much like our own – was not a straightforward, easy path. They struggled to know God. They doubted and questioned the theology of their day. They dissected the church’s tradition and teachings. They practiced, and practiced the pattern of faith – until it was their own, until it was personal…
Until grace flowed freely through their heart and soul.
For the Wesley brothers and for many of us, our journey of faith is a bit like swimming in a lake. Have you ever tried to swim in a lake? Imagine the waves lapping up against your body as you put your head down to swim. A few minutes later you pop up for air, look around and have no idea where you are, unsure of where you’re headed!
But, if you’ve ever swam in a pool, than you know there are many means to keep you heading in the right direction towards your goal – the lane dividers, the flags overhead, the lines on the bottom, and most importantly, the cross at the end of the pool in each swimmer’s lane. These all help you stay the course and become stronger as a swimmer.
The spiritual disciplines (or holy habits) are like the lane dividers, flags and lines in a pool – they are a means of grace that God has given us to help us stay on course and not lose our way. They help us keep our bearings and reach our goal of living out a vital life of faith, one filled with joy and hope – that is ultimately focused on the cross of Christ.
In fact, God never meant for our spiritual disciplines, our holy habits, to be oppressive. They are not just one more thing on our already LONG list of things to do… one more thing that makes us feel “less than perfect” against some imaginary image in our minds of what it means to be a deep, spiritual person. Quite the contrary!
Prayer is meant to be a blessing that helps us as Christ followers to draw closer to our Lord and Savior so that we might experience even greater intimacy with Jesus. And friends, Paul reminds us that even when we don’t have or know the words to say, the Holy Spirit will provide them!
In worship this Sunday, we practiced praying with our imagination! If you didn’t pick up the guidance provided at the Cross Training Station, you can find it HERE. Why don’t you hop in the pool and give it a try? May your spiritual workout this week bring you joy and peace.
WRESTLING WITH THE WORD
Read Romans 8: 26-27 (NIV)
• What specific weakness is Paul addressing?
• Why does Paul include this phrase, “who searches our hearts”? Why is that important?
• These two verses are part of a longer section on suffering. How are these verses helpful to those who are suffering? How can they help you when ministering to suffering people?
Next Steps
• What is the primary obstacle to your prayer life? How can you overcome it?
• Was there a time when you wanted to pray and just couldn’t?
• If God knows our needs and the Spirit is praying for us, why do we need to pray?
PRAYER FOR THE WEEK
Listen God to my prayer! Don’t reject my request. Please listen and help me. I ask for your help, Lord God, and you will keep me safe. Morning, noon and night you hear my concerns and my complaints. Our Lord, we belong to you. We tell you what worries us, and you won’t let us fall. We place our needs before you in prayer, we trust you, oh Lord. Amen. (Based on Psalm 55: 1-2, 16-17, 22)
ADDITIONAL READINGS ON PRAYER
• Psalm 103 (CEB) - David pours out his heart in prayer.
• Matthew 6:7-13 (CEB) - The Lord instructs us on how to pray.
• Psalm 150 (CEB) - Let everything that has breath, praise the Lord!
• Matthew 26:36-46 (CB) - Jesus praying fervently.
• James 5:13-18 (Message) - Anointed prayer to be reckoned with.
• Mark 9:14-27 (NIV) - Jesus heals a boy through prayer.