In Celebration of Discipline Richard Foster writes, “Fasting must forever center on God. It must be God-initiated and God-ordained…. Every other purpose must be subservient to God…. More than any other discipline, fasting reveals the things that control us. This … Continue reading
Since Lent is so closely associated with fasting, it seems a good time for us to think together about fasting. First, hear this challenge from John Wesley, “Some have exalted religious fasting beyond all Scripture and reason; and others have … Continue reading
Today marks the beginning of Lent. In the Book of Common Prayer (1979) we can read, “I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, … Continue reading
Have you heard the expression “praying with scripture”? I heard that expression long before I heard of lectio divina, but praying with scripture became real for me as I learned this form of “reading” and prayer. Lectio divina is usually … Continue reading
A few months ago it seemed every book I picked up for weeks had a chapter on the Prayer of Examen or at least several pages describing it. From “The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything” by James Martin, S.J. to … Continue reading
Can it be prayer if “We do not give God information about all our needs, projects, ideas, programs, plans and agenda. We don’t suggest things we would like Him to do.”? (Adele Ahlberg Calhoun, “Spiritual Disciplines Handbook”, p 208) If … Continue reading
While the Jesus Prayer can be considered a form of breath prayer, it is a much used and deceptively simple practice that deserves our attention. Frist, the words are simple and might take one of several forms, “Lord Jesus Christ, … Continue reading
Breathing is not only the most natural thing to do, it sustains life. Breath prayer for many is a prime sustainer of life. In breath prayer we repeat a short, repetitive prayer phrase to the rhythm of our breathing. As … Continue reading
The first chapter of Richard Foster’s Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home is entitled “Simple Prayer.” He writes, ” … we are brought to the most basic, the most primary form of prayer: Simple Prayer … we bring ourselves before … Continue reading
Over the next several weeks I would like us to think together about the different forms our prayers can take. But before we look at different prayer practices, I would ask us to keep in mind two things. First, keep … Continue reading
