Faith Practices Encouragement
Session 3 — Prayer
(Faith Practices book, p.36-38)
Arrival and Fellowship
Invitation
“Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” Luke 18:1
“. . . , he [Jesus] went up on a mountainside to pray.” Mark 6:46, Luke 6:12
Prayer
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, I open my heart to you in this continuing journey. Fill me and shape me. (adapted from prayer in Faith Practices book, p. 8)
Reflections on last session – reflections on engaging Scripture
What is one item you would like to highlight on the practice of engaging Scripture.
Share
- Reflect on your life with God. Who taught you to pray? Who in your life today is a model of prayer?
- What character traits do you notice in people who are committed to prayer?
- At what times in your life have you felt that you were in “the depths,” as the writer of Psalm 130 says? Were you able to pray during those times? Why or why not?
Reflections on the practice of prayer
- What is the faith practice of prayer?
The faith practice of prayer is a way in which we actively submit ourselves and our world to God’s ongoing transformational work in Christ by expressing ourselves to God and listening for God to engage with us.
https://www.crcna.org/FaithPracticesProject/prayer
Four Formative Aspects of Prayer
Prayer forms us in many, many ways, but the practices of prayer contain at least four formative aspects that help us become more like Jesus Christ.
- Prayer involves listening for God to speak
- Prayer trains us to bring all of our circumstances and emotions before God
- Prayer forms us to desire wholeness and holiness
- Prayer realigns us with the character of God’s mission in the world
https://www.crcna.org/FaithPracticesProject/prayer/putting-prayer-practice
Lectio divina
(see Faith Practices book, page 10 – 11 for lectio divina overview)
A suggestion is to focus on Matthew 6:9-13 (The Lord’s Prayer) for lectio divina.
- Matthew 6:9-13 ~ A Pattern for Prayer.
Prayer:
- Items for prayer that you would like to share.
- Close time of prayer with the Lord’s Prayer.
Blessing:
“The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made.” Psalm 145:13b.
Between sessions:
1) Gratitude journal
Each day write down 2 or 3 things that you are thankful for.
2) Engaging Scripture: Scripture Readings focusing on prayer
https://www.crcna.org/FaithPracticesProject/prayer/prayer-scripture-readings
3) Another possible guide are the lectionary passages:
https://hymnary.org/browse/lectionary
4) Resources for continuing enrichment: