Comments on: Spiritual Disciplines: Prayer http://www.twelvewitnesses.com/2007/07/31/spiritual-disciplines-prayer/ Let these stones be a witness to what we have done here this day. Tue, 22 Nov 2011 19:54:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: David Phillips http://www.twelvewitnesses.com/2007/07/31/spiritual-disciplines-prayer/#comment-7690 David Phillips Fri, 03 Aug 2007 00:36:29 +0000 http://www.twelvewitnesses.com/2007/07/31/spiritual-disciplines-prayer/#comment-7690 I have chosen to read Phyllis Tickle's "The Divine Hours". It is a book of Common Prayer that Scot McKnight recommended. There are 4 prayer times that the book works through based on the prayer life of Jews in the first century, you know, when Jesus was around. I have found that when I get two of these each day - morning and evening specifically - it actually centers my prayer life and my focus on Jesus. Like Paul Littleton, my next move may be to prayer beads. I have chosen to read Phyllis Tickle’s “The Divine Hours”. It is a book of Common Prayer that Scot McKnight recommended. There are 4 prayer times that the book works through based on the prayer life of Jews in the first century, you know, when Jesus was around. I have found that when I get two of these each day – morning and evening specifically – it actually centers my prayer life and my focus on Jesus. Like Paul Littleton, my next move may be to prayer beads.

]]> By: Wayne Smith http://www.twelvewitnesses.com/2007/07/31/spiritual-disciplines-prayer/#comment-7659 Wayne Smith Tue, 31 Jul 2007 20:43:47 +0000 http://www.twelvewitnesses.com/2007/07/31/spiritual-disciplines-prayer/#comment-7659 Art, Great POST for sharing Our Love for GOD!!! Tim Dahl, That is the reson we call it Quite Time, best in the Early Morning. I also use the following for searching my Heart. THE GOLDEN BOOK OF OSWALD CHAMBERS and Today is a ministry of The Back to God Hour http://www.BacktoGod.net/ email: btgh@crcna.org 800.879.6555; In His Name Wayne Smith Art,
Great POST for sharing Our Love for GOD!!!

Tim Dahl,

That is the reson we call it Quite Time, best in the Early Morning. I also use the following for searching my Heart. THE GOLDEN BOOK OF OSWALD CHAMBERS and Today is a ministry of The Back to God Hour
http://www.BacktoGod.net/
email: btgh@crcna.org
800.879.6555;

In His Name
Wayne Smith

]]> By: Tim Dahl http://www.twelvewitnesses.com/2007/07/31/spiritual-disciplines-prayer/#comment-7658 Tim Dahl Tue, 31 Jul 2007 19:18:26 +0000 http://www.twelvewitnesses.com/2007/07/31/spiritual-disciplines-prayer/#comment-7658 I've used the "Jesus Prayer" often, but not as a part of my quiet time. I find myself saying it at different times throughout the day. I used to listen to instrumental music, like the album "In The Quiet Hours," by Phil Keaggy. But, I've not been able to do that in a long time. Maybe I'm getting old, but I really like things to be quiet around me when I pray and read scripture. Tim I’ve used the “Jesus Prayer” often, but not as a part of my quiet time. I find myself saying it at different times throughout the day.

I used to listen to instrumental music, like the album “In The Quiet Hours,” by Phil Keaggy. But, I’ve not been able to do that in a long time. Maybe I’m getting old, but I really like things to be quiet around me when I pray and read scripture.

Tim

]]> By: Kevin Bussey http://www.twelvewitnesses.com/2007/07/31/spiritual-disciplines-prayer/#comment-7657 Kevin Bussey Tue, 31 Jul 2007 18:05:15 +0000 http://www.twelvewitnesses.com/2007/07/31/spiritual-disciplines-prayer/#comment-7657 Bill Hybels book TOO BUSY NOT TO PRAY changed my prayer life. I began to write out my prayers because it caused me to slow down and think about what I'm saying. I do that during the week every morning @ Starbucks. I have a separate Quiet Time Devotion @ night @ home. Bill Hybels book TOO BUSY NOT TO PRAY changed my prayer life. I began to write out my prayers because it caused me to slow down and think about what I’m saying. I do that during the week every morning @ Starbucks. I have a separate Quiet Time Devotion @ night @ home.

]]> By: Art Rogers http://www.twelvewitnesses.com/2007/07/31/spiritual-disciplines-prayer/#comment-7655 Art Rogers Tue, 31 Jul 2007 16:53:57 +0000 http://www.twelvewitnesses.com/2007/07/31/spiritual-disciplines-prayer/#comment-7655 Well, I am not the well read SBC blogger I once was, or I could guarantee that someone would be along shortly to explain what the Baptist Distinctives are in prayer. 8) One thing is for sure, if they were to arrive, they would not likely agree that PPL is among those distinctives. :D Well, I am not the well read SBC blogger I once was, or I could guarantee that someone would be along shortly to explain what the Baptist Distinctives are in prayer. 8)

One thing is for sure, if they were to arrive, they would not likely agree that PPL is among those distinctives. :D

]]> By: Emily Hunter McGowin http://www.twelvewitnesses.com/2007/07/31/spiritual-disciplines-prayer/#comment-7654 Emily Hunter McGowin Tue, 31 Jul 2007 16:16:05 +0000 http://www.twelvewitnesses.com/2007/07/31/spiritual-disciplines-prayer/#comment-7654 Art and others, I pray the Psalms quite a bit. I find that, very often, they are more honest than I would be (i.e., "How long, O Lord, will you forget me?"). I don't have a set time of day that I pray, though it is possible that I should. I find that I pray at various times throughout the day and then usually for an extended time at night. Also, I think I'll join Ben and risk being anathematized with another comment. While a part of a spiritual formation small group in seminary, I was introduced to what is commonly called "centering prayer." Basically (and simplistically), it involves visualizing while one is praying. I do not do this all the time, but when I have more freedom from time constraints I will utilize this method. The way it works for me is that I will choose a narrative from scripture, like Jesus calming the storm or the woman anointing Jesus' feet. I will read it slowly several times. Then, I will close my eyes and place myself within the story, so to speak, imagining myself as one figure in the story. Then from that posture, I will communicate with the Lord. I have had some profound experiences with the Lord this way. One time, when I was really struggling, I saw myself as the raging sea and Jesus raising his hands and calming me. Another, I was the child Jesus cradled among the disciples. I use the "Jesus Prayer" meditatively as well, simply to re-center myself on him and focus my attention on my need for God ("Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner"). I don't know if these will be considered unBaptistic (as if there's a "Baptist" way to pray), but I'll just throw it out there anyway. Grace and peace, Emily Art and others,

I pray the Psalms quite a bit. I find that, very often, they are more honest than I would be (i.e., “How long, O Lord, will you forget me?”). I don’t have a set time of day that I pray, though it is possible that I should. I find that I pray at various times throughout the day and then usually for an extended time at night.

Also, I think I’ll join Ben and risk being anathematized with another comment. While a part of a spiritual formation small group in seminary, I was introduced to what is commonly called “centering prayer.” Basically (and simplistically), it involves visualizing while one is praying. I do not do this all the time, but when I have more freedom from time constraints I will utilize this method.

The way it works for me is that I will choose a narrative from scripture, like Jesus calming the storm or the woman anointing Jesus’ feet. I will read it slowly several times. Then, I will close my eyes and place myself within the story, so to speak, imagining myself as one figure in the story. Then from that posture, I will communicate with the Lord.

I have had some profound experiences with the Lord this way. One time, when I was really struggling, I saw myself as the raging sea and Jesus raising his hands and calming me. Another, I was the child Jesus cradled among the disciples.

I use the “Jesus Prayer” meditatively as well, simply to re-center myself on him and focus my attention on my need for God (“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner”). I don’t know if these will be considered unBaptistic (as if there’s a “Baptist” way to pray), but I’ll just throw it out there anyway.

Grace and peace,

Emily

]]> By: Ben http://www.twelvewitnesses.com/2007/07/31/spiritual-disciplines-prayer/#comment-7653 Ben Tue, 31 Jul 2007 15:53:53 +0000 http://www.twelvewitnesses.com/2007/07/31/spiritual-disciplines-prayer/#comment-7653 Art, no doubt. Tim, excellent point. Our belief in the centrality of Scripture is one of our defining elements as evangelicals. And praying the Psalms is a wonderful way to communicate with God when we are unable to form our own words. As far as music...I have a framed quote on my wall that says: God gave us music that we might pray without words. Art, no doubt.

Tim, excellent point. Our belief in the centrality of Scripture is one of our defining elements as evangelicals. And praying the Psalms is a wonderful way to communicate with God when we are unable to form our own words.

As far as music…I have a framed quote on my wall that says: God gave us music that we might pray without words.

]]> By: Art Rogers http://www.twelvewitnesses.com/2007/07/31/spiritual-disciplines-prayer/#comment-7652 Art Rogers Tue, 31 Jul 2007 15:44:03 +0000 http://www.twelvewitnesses.com/2007/07/31/spiritual-disciplines-prayer/#comment-7652 Ben, Are you sure you're Baptist? :) Actually, an assembly of Scripture feeds into what Tim is talking about... Tim, Great thoughts. If we value the Word as the full revelation of God, then we have to believe that our communication has to be, at the very least, bound to the authority of Scripture. I have known many people who say that they "feel" God leading them to do things that are contrary to Scripture. God isn't going to violate His own Word. He doesn't change. Does anyone listen to music while they pray? What kind? Ben,

Are you sure you’re Baptist? :) Actually, an assembly of Scripture feeds into what Tim is talking about…

Tim,

Great thoughts. If we value the Word as the full revelation of God, then we have to believe that our communication has to be, at the very least, bound to the authority of Scripture. I have known many people who say that they “feel” God leading them to do things that are contrary to Scripture. God isn’t going to violate His own Word. He doesn’t change.

Does anyone listen to music while they pray? What kind?

]]> By: Tim Dahl http://www.twelvewitnesses.com/2007/07/31/spiritual-disciplines-prayer/#comment-7650 Tim Dahl Tue, 31 Jul 2007 13:59:15 +0000 http://www.twelvewitnesses.com/2007/07/31/spiritual-disciplines-prayer/#comment-7650 Art, I've started to see my reading of Scripture as praying also. Usually when people talk about "praying" the Scripture, they are talking about speaking the Scripture back to God. I like to do this using the Psalms, but we all know any where in the Bible will suffice. But, a couple of years ago something else was brought to my attention. Since we expect God to speak to us through his word, isn't that another avenue of prayer? I mean, if prayer is simply 2way communication with God, then wouldn't that be the other side of the street, so to speak? So, when I'm "praying" Scripture, looking for God's reply, it isn't a study as much as an expectation. Just some thoughts. Tim Art, I’ve started to see my reading of Scripture as praying also. Usually when people talk about “praying” the Scripture, they are talking about speaking the Scripture back to God. I like to do this using the Psalms, but we all know any where in the Bible will suffice. But, a couple of years ago something else was brought to my attention. Since we expect God to speak to us through his word, isn’t that another avenue of prayer? I mean, if prayer is simply 2way communication with God, then wouldn’t that be the other side of the street, so to speak? So, when I’m “praying” Scripture, looking for God’s reply, it isn’t a study as much as an expectation. Just some thoughts.

Tim

]]> By: Ben http://www.twelvewitnesses.com/2007/07/31/spiritual-disciplines-prayer/#comment-7649 Ben Tue, 31 Jul 2007 13:38:11 +0000 http://www.twelvewitnesses.com/2007/07/31/spiritual-disciplines-prayer/#comment-7649 Even though I came from a strict, Southern Baptist, Evangelical background, I discovered the Book of Common Prayer in college. It has been an immense aid in my prayer life. The prayers are a beautiful mix of Bible and poetry. It's also very comforting to know that I'm praying the same prayers that people have been praying for centuries. It helps me participate in the communion of the saints. I've also found praying the Jesus Prayer to be very helpful. It's something simple that I can rely on when I need to refocus. (The text: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.) Even though I came from a strict, Southern Baptist, Evangelical background, I discovered the Book of Common Prayer in college. It has been an immense aid in my prayer life. The prayers are a beautiful mix of Bible and poetry. It’s also very comforting to know that I’m praying the same prayers that people have been praying for centuries. It helps me participate in the communion of the saints.

I’ve also found praying the Jesus Prayer to be very helpful. It’s something simple that I can rely on when I need to refocus. (The text: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.)

]]>