The Practice of Prayer

Prayer has become something of a theme in our lives recently. John has been taking a class call the Practice of Prayer by Dr. Moonjang Lee (he is Korean and not a hippie as you might think because of his name). John and I have struggled with questions like: How does prayer work? What do we pray? When? Not having satisfactory answers left us with a very scant prayer life...well more like a non-exsistant prayer life. Part of John's class was to pray 30 min a day. He decided to make time for me to spend 30 min in prayer as well. (I can't pray in our tiny apartment with the kids around so I go to the prayer chapel on campus). To help us get started Dr. Lee suggested some exercises in prayer to help soften your heart to the Holy Spirit. I will share a few just in case someone out there also discontented with their prayer life.

1. Timeline of repentance-Start with birth going all through your life and ask for forgiveness and forgive anyone that has hurt you. No matter how small or how big. Forgiveness is so central to Christianity. This may help you see patterns in your life that continue to trip you up. For example you may realize that you always blame others for everything or that you have anger issues.

2. Dialog with God-Most of us probably think in Monolog form. Try and change your thoughts "to yourself" to thinking "to God". The purpose of this is so that you will train yourself to consider God in all that you do.

I will post others in the future. This time of prayer has changed our lives. I would also like to recommend a book that I have found transforming. It is "Salvation Is More Complicated Than You Think-A Study on the Teachings of Jesus" by Alan P. Stanley. It points out that salvation is more than just a confession but a lifestyle. I don't often recommend christian books but this one is well worth your time. It has been very challenging.

Feel free to post any "exercises in prayer" that you have found helpful.