Jesus prioritized time in prayer, often taking time in solitude to commune with his Father. He called his followers to prayer before his ascension, and prayer was one of the defining features of the early church (Acts 2:42-47). We are all made uniquely by our Creator, so there is no one-prayer-style-fits-all way to connect with God. Instead, we have abundant permission to be creative in our prayer lives. The hope is that these resources will be a jumping off point, offering practices and language to help expand your frameworks and language around prayer.
How Can We Be Praying with You?
If you would like our team to be praying with you, please click here to share your prayer requests and praises with our staff and prayer team. You can also let us know if you'd like us to follow-up with you - and the best way to do so.
For More Help
Prayer is an important part of living out our faith and can help us endure rough times. However, the challenges of mental illness, trauma, and other life situations may also benefit from the help of a counselor or therapist. If you would like to be connected to additional resources, please reach out to Pastor Gene or browse our curated list of mental health resources.
Ways to Pray
Sacred Pathways
This resource is designed to help you discover how you naturally connect with God, what your spiritual style is, and it also provides practices to try out based on your particular style.
Lectio Divina
Lectio Divina, a meditative reading practice, could also be described as "praying with a listening heart".
Visio Divina
Praying with Your Eyes: How to Get Started with Visio Divina by Busted Halo
This Visio Divina exercise, created for Stevens-Coolidge Place, offers a way to practice on your own or with a group.
Praying with Art - Patheos
Palms Up, Palms Down Prayer
Prayer of Examen
Fixed Hour Prayer
Gratitude Reflection
Prayer Cards
Timed Prayer Guides
Interceding for a Large-Scale Crisis
Lament
Confession
How to Pray Creatively
Coloring Gratitude, by Adele Calhoun
Coloring the Psalms, by Adele Calhoun
How to Pray the Psalms
Praying for Others
Prayer Courses
Prayer Books
A Diary of Private Prayer - John Baillie
Invitations from God - Adele Calhoun
Joy Unspeakable: Contemplative Practices of the Black Church - Barbara A. Holmes
Sacred Pathways - Gary Thomas
Sacred Rhythms - Ruth Haley Barton
Spiritual Disciplines Handbook - Adele Calhoun
Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayer and Devotions - Arthur G. Bennett
Every Moment Holy - Douglas Kaine McKelvey
Divine Hours for Seasons:
Prayer Apps
Every Moment Holy offers liturgies for all of life’s moments
Pray-As-You-Go offers daily Bible readings (read aloud) along with reflection questions and time for prayer
Abide Meditations offers meditations on Scripture for listening, sleep, anxiety, and reflection
Pray Through Music
Singing or listening to music — Christian or secular — can connect us with language, thoughts, and feelings for which we may not have the words as we pray. What music do you connect with? How might it engage you in prayer?
Common Hymnal offers a variety of playlists, including "Praise and Protest" for the Racial Justice movement
Elevation Worship produces Latinx arrangements of their worship music, as well as the English versions with which you may already be familiar
Gospel R&B playlist provides almost an hour of classic hits
Gregorian Chant from Assisi playlist is a recommended medieval mix
Tenebrae Choir produces traditional choral arrangements
Worksheets & Exercises
Spiritual Pathways Assessment may help you identify where you connect best with God
Listen to this podcast episode with spiritual director and writer Adele Calhoun, for advice on choosing a spiritual practice that will help you be present with God.
Credits
All links were compiled from Christian ministries and churches including Anchor Bay Church, Highrock Online, Vox Veniae, Mars Hill Bible Church, and Soul City Church.