Day 3

Friday, March 7th

Guided Prayers

Perhaps the main reason that we are such poor practitioners of the art of being human; why we so often teeter on a tight-rope between self-hatred and despair is that we don’t pray. We pray so little, so rarely, and so poorly. For everything else we have adequate leisure time. Visits, get-togethers, movies, football games, concerts, an evening with friends, an invitation we can’t decline—and these are good because it is natural and wholesome that we come together in community. But when God lays claim on our time, we balk. Do we really believe that He delights to talk with His children? 

-Brennan Manning (Souvenirs of Solitude)

He has infinite attention to spare for each one of us. He does not have to deal with us in the mass. You are as much alone with Him as if you were the only being He had ever created. 

-CS Lewis

Each week over the next 40 days, there will be a variety of ways for us to connect with God together. Some days there will be Bible verses, quotes and devotionals to read and ponder their implication for your life. Other days, you will follow a QR code to a worship song, or to a guided prayer that we will do together. Through these guided prayers, we will be inviting God to make the truths we are being challenged with move from mere head-knowledge to a deep heart-knowledge. We will be making room for God’s “from the inside out” transformational power.

You may find these guided prayers a bit uncomfortable at first. This sort of prayer experience might feel strange to you and I want to encourage you to engage in them anyway. Even if you feel uncomfortable, even if you feel like your mind wanders the whole time, remember that when you step out of your comfort zone, God will be there for you, delighting in your efforts.

For people just starting out their walks with Jesus, maybe the whole concept of talking to God is new to you. Remember that there is no right or wrong way to pray–coming to God in honesty is all that is required of you. There are no secret words or magic phrases. There are no appropriate or inappropriate emotions for you to bring to God. He delights when you come as you are, honestly and humbly. 

For those of you who have been following Jesus for many years, and who have already developed good habits around consistent prayer, my hope is that you will find these guided prayers encouraging and refreshing.

And for everyone in-between, I pray that practicing inviting God into your day will become a habit that breathes peace and hope into your heart. I pray that all of us will begin to experience the “free, light” life that Jesus invites us into.