This week we have been learning what it means to pray in the Spirit. There are some helpful resources I would recommend.
For the beginning of the day: The Daily Prayer services in the Book of Common Prayer.
For the end of the day: St. Ignatius’ Prayer of Examen. It has five steps.
- Become aware of God’s presence
- Review the day with gratitude
- Pay attention to your emotions
- Chose one feature of the day and pray from it
- Look toward tomorrow
There are phone apps that can help you with prayer. Centering prayer. Examen apps. Some are silent prayer apps. Some are guided prayers. One that I have used recently that I have come to really appreciate is the Pause App. It has guided prayers for 1 minutes, 3 minutes, 5 or 10 minutes. These can become empty ritual too, if we are praying just to check it off a list. But if we pray with a heart posture of being aware of God, his love, his presence, his heart, we can commune with God.
I especially encourage you to include listening in your prayer. Don’t be like the spouse that just has to-do lists for their spouse. Ask God how he is doing? Ask the Spirit to share his heart.
For some people, it can be very helpful to write your prayers. Maybe start a prayer journal.
I also encourage you to pray together with others. Participate in a prayer meeting. Include prayer in your small groups. Maybe have a prayer partner.
Prayer is listed at the conclusion of the teaching about the Armor of God for a reason. When we are battling temptation, when we are in spiritual battle of any kind, we put on the pieces of the armor of God, and we pray in the Spirit, acknowledging God’s presence. God is there. You are not alone in the battle. His Spirit is with you and in you.
As we conclude this series on the Armor of God, let’s review. First we Stand Firm putting on the full armor of God.
First, put on the Belt of Truth, grounding your life in Jesus who is the embodiment of truth.
Next, strap on the Breastplate of Righteousness, pursuing holiness, because Jesus is our righteousness.
Then we put on the Boots of Peace, pursuing peace with God and others.
Fourth we hold up the Shield of Faith, living with faithfulness despite the temptations of the world.
Fifth, we place the Helmet of Salvation, remembering we are saved from sin, saved from separation with God, but also saved for a life following Jesus and his mission in the here and now.
Then we wield the Sword of the Spirit, immersing ourselves in God’s Word, as we seek to follow the way of Jesus who is the Word.
Finally we Pray in the Spirit, meditating on God who lives with us and in us, depending on his Spirit.
So put on the full armor of God, as you pursue the mission of Jesus in your world!
Photo by adrianna geo on Unsplash
Engaging Scripture 