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Prayer Guide

5/30/2021

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In this guide you'll find a number of basic prayer practices. None of them are meant to be done perfectly. They are there to help you figure out what will work best for you. The goal of prayer is to be in conversation with God. These are different ways that you can do that.

Also know that some will work better than others, and sometimes one won’t work as well as another one does. All of this is part of how we go to God in prayer. The more we practice these things the better we’ll get, even if we don’t do them “right” all of the time.

Click to find a downloadable version in a book format for printing.
Breakthrough prayer
The breakthrough prayer starts with a breath prayer that centers us in the moment. A breath prayer starts with a breath in, and a breath out. Focusing on the act of breathing. As you do that, other things will come to mind. As they do, acknowledge that they are there, but don’t focus on them. Let them drift away. When you are ready, say the breakthrough prayer below. You can repeat it as much or as little as you need. 
 
You can finish with that prayer, or use the daily topics below to guide your prayer time. When you are finished prayer, repeat the breakthrough prayer.
 
Breakthrough Prayer: Come Holy Spirit, come show us how we can be the spiritual heart of this community, Amen
 
Mon: strength to hear God’s voice in all situations
Tues: better understanding of our world and nation
Wed: to hear our role in our community
Thur: how we can help and support those in need
Fri: for us and those around us to grow in our faith in God
Simple Daily Prayer
You can use this basic format as a guide for daily prayer based on the Lord’s Prayer. You can also find this on the Daily Prayer App available in your smart phone app store.

Opening Prayer
Scripture Reading
Lord’s Prayer (outline below)
Closing Prayer

You can use the following prayer for the opening and closing prayer, or another of your choice. You don’t have to do the same thing all the time either. As you change, your prayer needs will change as well.

Breakthrough Prayer: Come Holy Spirit, come show us how we can be the spiritual heart of this community, Amen

For the scripture reading you can randomly select a passage of scripture, find a reading plan that works for you, choose a book to read through, or if you aren’t sure you can always choose a chapter of Proverbs that matches today’s date.
 
For the Lord’s Prayer, use the following format with a pause between each line.
 
Our Father, who are in heaven, hallowed be thy name
  • Thank God for who He is and His abundant faithfulness
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven
  • Pray for God's rule and reign to become a reality.
Give us this day our daily bread
  • Pray for God's daily provision in your life.
Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who have trespassed against us
  • Confess your sins to the Lord, and forgive people who have wronged you
Lead us not into temptation
  • Ask for God to guide you in 'paths of righteousness for His name sake'.
Deliver us from evil
  • Pray for God's protection against any of the strategies of Satan.
For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Prayer Group Prayers
Below is the practice that our prayer group uses.  Say each of the prayers below together, unless directed otherwise.

Breakthrough Prayer
Come Holy Spirit, come show us how we can be the spiritual heart of this community, Amen

Group Prayer
Great and Wonderful God, we are praying that You will use us to meet the spiritual needs of those in our community in the name of Jesus Christ. We are committing to pray regularly for changes that lead to health, growth, and vitality of all of our church members, guest, families, friends, and our community’s congregations and ministries.

Sharing
In this time share your joys, concerns, prayer requests, and answered prayers. Share as you feel led, and it is okay not to say anything.

Wesley Covenant Prayer
I am no longer mine but Yours God.
Put me where You want me, with anyone You choose;
Let me serve, let me suffer, let me work for You
or withdraw from work for You;
Let me get recognition and praise for You,
Or be nameless and hidden for You:
Let my life be full for You, or empty for You;
Let me have all things or nothing.
I freely give myself to You for Your pleasure or disposal;
And now, glorious and gracious God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
You are mine and I am Yours.
May this covenant I make on earth
Be effective here and continue in heaven
In Jesus’ Name We Pray, Amen!
 
Individual Prayer
Each person that wishes to say a prayer can do so at this time. You can go around the room, or let folks pray as they feel led. If you are going in order, it is okay to say pass to let the next person know its their turn.

Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who are in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thin is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever, Amen
Prayer Beads (way of praying for others)
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This is a Protestant adaptation of the Catholic Rosary. You can use beads, or use this is a good practice for individual prayer. Parts of this practice will feel more formal or different from what we are used to. That’s okay, try it out and see how it works.

There are many ways to pray with beads, and two examples are given as a part of this guide. A traditional version and a modern version.

When you open each version you may need to tap/click on the prayer beads title again to open each version.
Traditional version
Begin: Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen

At the Cross: The Apostle’s Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, sitteth at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from thence he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

At Each Cruciform Bead: Mystery of Faith
Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again

Weeks: 4 Groups of Seven Beads
Week 1: Prayers for the World & Nation
Week 2: Prayers for the Community
Week 3: Prayers for the Church
Week 4: Prayers for family, friends, and self

End: Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen 
Modern version
Cross 
Loving God,

Invitatory bead 
You have called me into this time of prayer to be with you.

First cruciform bead

I praise you, Lord, for…

Week beads, set 1 
Use each bead to praise God; think of different qualities of God for which you would want to give praise.

Second cruciform bead
I ask, Lord, for your forgiveness for…

Week beads, set 2 
Use each bead to confess your sins to God.

Third cruciform bead 
I pray, Lord, for…

Week bead, set 3 
Use each bead to list your intercessions — your joys and concerns for yourself or others.

Fourth cruciform bead 
I thank you, Lord, for…

Week beads, set 4 
Use each bead to offer thanks to God for the blessings in your life.

Invitatory bead 
Christ is alive in me.  Thanks be to God.

Cross 
Amen.
The Examen
The Examen is an ancient prayer tradition coming from St. Ignatius and the Jesuits in the 1500’s. It is a self-reflective practice and prayer. This can be done on your own, with others, or writing your responses to the questions in a notebook or journal. There isn’t a right way to do this, but the practice is very helpful.

There are five parts to respond to. As you do, listen for God’s voice in your responses.

1) Thanksgiving
What am I especially grateful for in the past day . . .
The gift of another day...
The love and support I have received...
The courage I have mustered...
An event that took place today…
 
2) Petition
I am about to review my day; I ask for the light to know God and to know myself as God sees me.

3) Review
Where have I felt true joy today?
What has troubled me today?
What has challenged me today?
Where and when did I pause today?
Have I noticed God's presence in any of this?

4) Response
In light of my review, what is my response to the God of my life?

​5) A Look Ahead
As I look ahead, what comes to mind?
With what spirit do I want to enter tomorrow?
Stop prayer
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This is a short prayer that has been in our Elementary Sunday School classroom for a while. It’s a good prayer to offer when you need to say a quick prayer, but you aren’t sure what to say.

S—Stop
T—Take a breath
O—Offer my feelings to God
P—Pray for Peace
S—Seek ways to serve

Resources
Phone Apps (search your phone's app store for each of these)
Daily Prayer: Android, iPhone
Echo Prayer App: Android, iPhone
Lectio 365: Android, iPhone
Reimagining the Examen: Android, iPhone
Labyrinth Journey: Android, iPhone
YMI: Android, iPhone
Our Daily Bread: Android, iPhone
Bible (youversion): Android, iPhone

Websites
Bible: https://www.bible.com/bible
Bible in a Year: https://fivedaybiblereading.com/
The Divine Hours: https://annarborvineyard.org/resources/pray-the-divine-hours/pray-the-divine-hours-cst/
The Examen: https://www.xavier.edu/jesuitresource/jesuit-a-z/terms-e/daily-examen

Books
“Field Guide for Daily Prayer” available at seedbed.com
“The Divine Hours Pocket Edition” by Phyllis Tickle
“The CEB Lectio Divina Prayer Bible”
“Open Road” by Sue Nilson Kibbey
“Living Room Liturgy” available at seedbed.com
“Right Here Right Now: The Practice of Christian Mindfulness” by Amy Oden
“The Making of an Ordinary Saint: My Journey from Frustration to Joy with the Spiritual Disciplines” by Nathan Foster
“Celebration of Discipline” by Richard Foster
“A Bead and a Prayer” by Kristen Vincent
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