Soul Crafting: Week Two

Session Two – Building an Intentional Prayer Life
Romans 8:26-27
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as
we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God,
who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit
intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Everyone’s prayer life looks different. Perhaps you know someone, like I do,
who wakes up early and does a 30-minute devotional followed by prayer.
Perhaps you know someone in recovery, like I do, who reads from the Big
Book of AA and NA on a daily basis with prayers to follow. Perhaps you know
someone, like I do, who goes to bed at night and closes the day with prayer.
And perhaps you’re someone, like me, whose prayer life is haphazard and
intermittent.

Our faith does not detail or dictate a certain time, place, or method by which
we must pray. Rather it simply encourages us to pray. And yet, we forget,
we struggle to find the words, we don’t have the right place to do so, we feel
uncomfortable or unsure.

Again, our faith does not detail or dictate when or how or where we must
pray, we are simply encouraged to do so. There is no bad time to pray, no
wrong place to pray, and certainly, no wrong way to pray or words that God
cannot comprehend. So, how might our lives be shaped differently if prayer
became an important and intentional part of our lives?

Anne Lamott who wrote the widely read book on prayer, “Help. Thanks.
Wow.” It says, ““Prayer is taking a chance that against all odds and past history,
we are loved and chosen, and do not have to get it together before we
show up.” “Prayer means that, in some unique way, we believe we’re invited
into a relationship with someone who hears us when we speak in silence.”
Prayer is more than a rhythm or set aside time, though it is often that. Prayer
is time in conversation with God about whatever pains our heart, and whatever
brings our souls great gladness. So, before we think of how and when
and where we will pray, perhaps consider what and why.

Something to Try:
-During one mundane task each day (washing the dishes, folding laundry,
getting ready for the day, walking into work) share a prayer concern or joy
with God.
-Ask yourself in the morning what prayers you’d like to be mindful of
throughout the day.

Questions For Discussion:
-Under what circumstances do you find it easy to pray? Hard to pray?
-What rhythm of prayer life have you found easiest to settle into for a period
of time?
-Have you or how have you witnessed prayer supporting you or someone?
-How do you sense the Spirit working through prayers?