In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Psalm 4:4 Examen is the practice of prayerful reflection at the end of the day. It is the practice of lying on our beds and silently searching our hearts. Examen is a practice that can help us identify where we are receiving God’s help and where we are needing to ask for God’s help. Days tend to … [Read more...] about Practicing Examen as Prayer
Asking for Healing as Prayer
O LORD my God, I called to you for help and you healed me. Psalm 30:2 The truth is that we are not well. We are full of fear and anxiety. We struggle with shame. We are caught up in obsessions and addictions. We are blind to our greed and pride. We are defensive, hard hearted and reactive. We are self centered. We fail to live as if we—and all others—are loved and valued beyond measure by … [Read more...] about Asking for Healing as Prayer
Forgiving as Prayer
When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:33-34 Forgiving others is a form of prayer. It is not easy for us to receive forgiveness. And it is not easy for us to forgive. Our tendency is to want to hold on to our … [Read more...] about Forgiving as Prayer
Receiving Forgiveness as Prayer
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:9 God is a forgiving God. God extends the gift of forgiveness to us, asking us to receive it as a gift. Not glibly, as if nothing has happened. Not proudly as if we have earned this gift. But with godly sorrow and humility we are asked to receive the gift of forgiveness … [Read more...] about Receiving Forgiveness as Prayer
Repenting and Making Amends as Prayer
“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” Mark 1:5 Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount. Luke 19:8 A life of prayer includes acts of repentance and making amends. To repent is to feel so much … [Read more...] about Repenting and Making Amends as Prayer
Repenting and Making Amends as Prayer
“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” Mark 1:5 Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount. Luke 19:8 A life of prayer includes acts of repentance and making amends. To repent is to feel so much … [Read more...] about Repenting and Making Amends as Prayer
Having a Broken and Contrite Heart as Prayer
You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it, you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalm 51:16-17 Prayer is being broken-hearted and contrite before God. The more we become aware of our shortcomings and character flaws, the more our hearts open in empathy and sorrow for those we … [Read more...] about Having a Broken and Contrite Heart as Prayer
Confession as Prayer
I said, O Lord, have mercy on me; heal me, for I have sinned against you. Psalm 41:4 Prayer is sometimes confession. It is the acknowledgment of our short comings, our missing the mark, our moral failings. Confession is also the acknowledgment of our longing to change, our longing to be healed and our longing to be set free to love God and others. When we confess to God, we throw ourselves on … [Read more...] about Confession as Prayer
Taking Inventory as Prayer
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24 We are often blind to our own failings. We do not see our prideful motives or greedy ways. We do not understand how our choices and behaviors are hurting others. We may not even be aware of the fears and anxieties that … [Read more...] about Taking Inventory as Prayer
Honesty as Prayer
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. Psalm 51: 1,6 Prayer is not a performance. It is not an attempt to impress God. Prayer is honest communication. Transparency is the cornerstone of intimacy in any … [Read more...] about Honesty as Prayer