Keeping a Holy Lent: Prayer

The first sermon in our series on our United Methodist membership vow was about supporting the church through your prayers.  Interested in improving your prayer life?

Here's the first section of the booklet that will be made available Sunday morning in worship:

There is power in prayer.  Author Jodi Picault writes, "Prayer is like water - something you can't imagine has the strength or power to do any good, and yet give it time and it can change the lay of the land."  Water can wash us gently, quench our thirst, or carve out the Grand Canyon 

There are great resources out there for improving your prayer life. Of course, the Upper Room is a terrific devotional, and copies are available near the entrances to the church and by the church office. 

The website www.sacredspace.ie is a fantastic guided prayer site with daily scripture reading and a relaxing tone.  If you check your computer daily, this might be a good addition to your online life.

Rueben Job and Norman Shawchuck, both United Methodists, have a series of excellent daily devotional books.  I recommend them heartily.

·        A Guide to Prayer forMinisters and Other Servants (this one is my personal favorite)

·        A Guide to Prayer forAll Who Seek God

·        A Guide to Prayer forAll God’s People

Journaling can be a rewarding prayer practice.  Try keeping a journal of your deepest questions, concerns, thoughts on scripture passages, or your own growth.  Try writing something every day.  Some use notebooks, some start a blog (you can publish a blog that only you can see on blogger.com or wordpress.com).

You can try a walking prayer – take a walk and remind yourself that God is in everything you see.

Photography, art, doodling, and sitting in silence can be forms of prayer.  Pastor Willie also has books you can borrow if you’re interested!

Comments are always welcome!