Simply stated, prayer is conversation with God, and conversation is a two-way street. It requires talking and listening. Too often, we view prayer as talking to God and asking him to bless us, rescue us, or intercede for us. Those are important elements of prayer. But there is more. Praying scripture is a good way to break out of the “rut” that we sometimes experience in prayer, where we find ourselves praying the same things in the same way and can feel “bored” with our prayers.
In prayer we talk to God and with God. Think of praying as talking to God in our own words, focusing on gratitude, lament, and intercession. In gratitude, we talk with God about the good things we experience in our lives and in the world. In lament, we talk with God about what is evil in our lives and in the world. And in petition and intercession, we ask God to act on behalf of others.
As we grow in prayer, we reach a point in our relationship with God where we desire not only to speak to him, but to listen. A follower of Jesus, like Mary (Luke 10:39), takes a posture of sitting at Jesus’ feet and listening. For the next four weeks we will take time to listen to God through scripture, circumstance, and his “still small voice.”
Fasting dates back to the early Christian church and was practiced regularly by Jesus and his followers, yet the practice of fasting has been all but lost in today’s evangelical church. We practice fasting to offer ourselves to Jesus, grow in holiness, and enhance prayer and listening to Jesus. Scripture refers to fasting as ceasing from food, but you may also choose to abstain from other normal routines as well. The practices in this rhythm are designed to be practiced multiple times over the next three weeks. Thanksgiving Day is a wonderful way to end this season of fasting as you
celebrate God’s goodness and blessing.
All of the Spiritual Rhythm practices have been developed on 3.5 x 5 cards, located at the Feature Wall. You can pick up a set of each new rhythm and build a Spiritual Rhythm library throughout the year.
Start where you are, not where you "should" be.
Don't "add" rhythms into your already overbusy, overfull life. Think: what can I cut out? This rhythm is about less, not more.
The more you fully engage this rhythm, the more life-changing it will be. The more you dabble with it, the more shortcuts you take, the less of an effect it will have on your transformation.
Research tells us that when we set out to learn a new skill, we follow a J-shaped curve; we tend to get worse before we get better. Persevere. Don't be surprised if your first few Sabbaths are awkward and difficult. You will get better, and things will turn around.
Spiritual formation is a slow, deep, and cumulative process. It takes years, not weeks. The goal of this 3-month rhythm is to get you started and give you a roadmap for the journey.
September 3 - 17
Read Matthew 6:9-13
1. What principles about prayer did you learn?
2. What is the emphasis in verses 9-10 and 11-13?
3. What would it look like to pray “Thy kingdom come” daily?
September 17 - October 8
Read Psalm 139:23024
This Psalm is a way of cooperating with God as we give him permission to search our hearts and show us the things that concern or bother us. As you think about this Psalm, let it lead you to a place of response and surrender.
October 8 - October 22
Read John 10:3, 9-10, 14-15
1. What do these verses say about hearing God?
2. How do these verses bring you comfort and encouragement?
October 22 - November 5
Read John 14:15-17, 25-26
1. What does Jesus teach us about the ministry of the Spirit in our lives?
2. What role does the Spirit have in helping us listen to God’s truth?
November 5 - November 23
Read Acts 13:1-4, Esther 4:16, Matthew 6:16-18, Romans 12:1-2
1. What are the different situations in each of these passages?
2. How would you describe the posture of the individuals in these passages?
3. How does the Romans 12 passage relate to fasting?
September 3 - September 17
Take time during these next two weeks to pray the Lord’s Prayer consistently. You could either start or end the day by praying this prayer. Choose a different phrase each time you repeat it and reflect on how the Spirit is leading you into a deeper understanding of each one.
Choose one of these prayers and pray them for yourself or others.
Ephesians 3:14-19; Philippians 1:3-6; Colossians 1:9-12
September 17 - October 8
Read one of the following: Psalm 10, 13, 60, 79, or 80. Sit with the words and feel the emotion behind the them. Journal what God is saying to you through the Psalm. Write your own prayer of lament.
Intercession is praying on behalf of others. Take 3x5 cards and put names or situations on each card. Pray consistently for God’s intervention.
October 8 - October 22
Read the verses in John again and practice the following steps to help you hear how the Spirit is speaking to you through God’s word.
1. Read. 2. Reflect. 3. Respond. 4. Rest. 5. Journal your thoughts.
October 22 - November 5
Practice the prayer of examen using these steps:
- Review the day and be aware of God’s presence
- Look back with gratitude
- Ask the Spirit to show you how you reflected Jesus well and not so well
- Confess anything that he brings to mind
- Ask God to prepare you for the next day
November 5 - November 23
Choose time over the next 3 weeks to practice fasting from food.
- Choose a day to practice a four-hour fast, not eating until lunch.
- Choose to practice a 12-hour fast from morning until dinner when you break the fast.
- Choose to practice a 24-hour fast from the evening of one day until dinner of the next.
- Refrain from sweets, coffee, or another food that you would normally eat.
- When you feel hungry, use it as a time to remember God’s goodness and bring a request to him.