#ReimaginePRAYER...with One Word Prayers
When it is difficult or seems "impossible" to pray; to talk conversationally with God - -
- Ask the Holy Spirit for one word
- ...then say (out loud or silently) that word
- ...repeating it several times slowly, thinking of what it means as you recite that single word
- ...and repeat it whenever you are troubled or as often as it comes to mind.
The objective is not to give God more information (God knows your circumstances and your needs better than you do)
...but to let God attach truths to the term the Spirit has given you to think about, to ponder.
Receive:
- a Name (Jesus; Spirit, Living Word), or
- a Descriptor of who God is (Redeemer, Rescuer, Almighty), or
- a Descriptor of what God does (Healer, Wonderful Counselor, Compassionate...) or
- a Description of what God intends for you to receive and live-out (Forgiveness, Conviction of Sin, Freedom from Condemnation, Maturity in Christ, Filling of the Spirit)
Then
- Employ the discipline of Quiet Listening.
- Give yourself time.
- Breathe intentionally and slowly.
- Listen to the thoughts that come to you as a repeat the term/word.
- Then attach them to the word/name you used to prompt the prayer.
- Say them.
- Journal them.
- Review a previous "one-word" prayer you have journaled.
- Repeat throughout the day...Many more times than you feel necessary
- The repetition is not because God is forgetful; it is a way to plant good seed deep into the spiritual soil of your mind (thoughts) and heart (emotional responses)
This takes a discipline our on-the-go prayers do not develop in our prayer life
- Make time.
- Practice quiet listening.
- Express trust that God knows all the things you are not saying with a simple one-word prayer.
- Declare hope that as you submit your mind/thinking, the Word of the Lord will come to you to reveal truths about yourself and the circumstances you are facing.
"Be still (cease striving) ... and know."
“Surrender your anxiety! Be silent and stop your striving and you will see that I am God”. Surrender your anxiety. We are called to surrender our anxiety and just be still before the Lord so that we may learn and see who He really is." Psalm 46:10
Phil Miglioratti
The Reimagine.Network
#reimagine-files,
Comments
As Christianity is Re-imagined…
these words are BROUGHT FORTH in my mind.
Every day: Repeat and ponder “hell” – then never say it out loud when sharing faith – Christ came with an OFFER, not a threat (John 12:47).
Every day: Repeat and ponder “simplify” – consider why organized religion makes it so difficult to be a Christian.
Every day: Repeat and ponder “clarify” – review what rituals, practices and traditions organized religion has added/subtracted to/from God’s Commands for obedience (Deuteronomy 4:2).
As 2022 begins...
these two words come to mind: 1) Convict, and 2) Comfort.
Day 1: Repeat and ponder "convict" - personal, family, someone God has you think about...
Dat 2: Repeat and ponder "comfort" - a reqwuest for God's Spirit to be our "strong; fort."
Other ideas?