OVERVIEW

Abiding Prayer combines the Lord’s Prayer alongside abiding as a branch in the vine of Christ. It breaks the Lord’s Prayer down into four sections: Abide, Mission, Intercession and Doxology. As you go through each section, pray along the Lord’s Prayer and listen. There are two parts of abiding in John 15; (1) Disciples praying, (2) Jesus’ commands brought to remembrance through Scripture or by the Spirit. Allow the section of the Lord’s Prayer to lead you into further prayer.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are
yours, now and for ever. Amen.

ABIDE

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.”

Abiding is resting in who God is, knowing that you are connected to the Vine (Jesus) who is your source, and that energy flows into you through the sap of the Holy Spirit. Announcing God as Father is to say, “I am God’s beloved child and He is my loving, gracious Father.”

Proclaiming God’s holiness—His otherness—is to acknowledge your need to abide in Him. You exist within a fallen,  broken world shattered by the power of sin, evil, and death. You need to be connected to something other than this world to form it into what God wants.

As you abide, realize who you are in light of God, listen for what the Spirit is prompting in you:

• What is the Spirit highlighting about God?
• What commands is the Spirit highlighting?

MISSION

“Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as in heaven.”

We want to see God’s reign (His kingdom) over the earth as He reigns in heaven. God’s rule looks like “justice, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 14.17). This is where the church comes in: God wants to use His children to bring His kingdom to light. Reflect on…

• Justice: Is there inequality in my context?
• Peace: Are there broken relationships in and around me?
• Joy: Is there a lack of hope in or around me?

Pray for these areas: “Lord, I pray Your kingdom to come into __(Name, place)__; give me strength through the Spirit to embody, share, and bring your kingdom to light.”

INTERCESSION

“Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.”

Notice the “us” and “our” in this section. Pray…

• For the physical needs of those around you (neighbors, friends, church, family, etc.) and yourself.
• Confess sins and forgive those who have wronged you—ask the Spirit to highlight sins and forgiveness.
• Protection against the enemy.

DOXOLOGY

“For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever.”

Doxology simply means ‘to praise God’. Spend some time acknowledging God’s greatness:

• What are you thankful for?
• What do you want to praise God for?
• Speak God’s names to Him.

OVERVIEW

Lectio Divina is a way of praying Scripture. It literally means “Divine Reading” and allows an individual or group to listen, meditate, and pray their way through short passages of the Bible. It slows down our typically rushed readings, allowing us to chew and savor it in a personal and applicable way. Lectio is not to be confused with Bible study, nor is it intended to replace Bible study. It is about our heart, not our head; formation, not instruction.

As we practice Lectio, our desire is to conform ourselves to the likeness of Jesus―the Living Word of God. It stresses the belief that Christ is truly present in Scripture, so it can act as a conduit for God to speak to us. The Bible is understood to be incarnational. As Jesus is inseparably man and God; the Bible is inseparably human thought and divine inspiration. It is in this incarnate state that the Bible speaks to us in our humanity and calls us to be conformed to Jesus’ likeness.

When Lectio is done within a narrative passage, it can be beneficial during reading to connect to one of the characters in the story. If you are in a group setting, and not the reader, close your eyes and imagine you are in the scene. Who do you most connect with? What happens or is said to the character which connects you to them?

KEY FEATURES

1. Recognition that the text is a gift given, not a problem to solve.
2. In order to receive what the text has, it must be read slowly. 
3. It is a way of prayer…

• • Before reading―pray.
  • During reading―allow the reading to move you from meditation into prayer.
  • After reading―keep a phrase in mind so that prayerful reading becomes prayerful living.

PERSONAL LECTIO

1. Find someplace comfortable to sit. Remove all distractions―put on soft, quiet music if needed.
2. Take three slow, deep breaths. This (scientifically) releases endorphins which reduce anxiety, can lower blood pressure, and help focus.
3. Pray: “God, speak to me through this passage of your divine word.” This is a prayer of silence. Oftentimes our prayers are ‘speaking to God’, but we want to listen to his word composed in the Bible and spoken by the Holy Spirit.
4. Slowly begin reading: Take time reading, do not ‘focus’ on each word, but read and listen to each word. Take a slight pause between verses to let the words soak into your heart and mind.

• • First Reading: Listen. As you read the passage, be attentive to a word or phrase that stands out to you. Meditate on this word or phrase for a minute, then, if able, say it out loud.
    • (Pause)
  • Second Reading: Ponder. As you begin reading a second time, ask what connects you to this word or phrase. Think about it for a few minutes (this is not about getting lost in your thoughts, but discerning what the Spirit is communicating to you). Do not worry if you get distracted and your mind wanders off. Frame a sentence around your word or phrase.
    • (Pause)
  • Third Reading: Pray. As you begin to read the passage a final time, ask Jesus what he is calling you to. What is it that you need to do, consider, relinquish, or take on as a result of what God is saying to you in this word or phrase? In the silence that follows the reading, pray for the grace of the Spirit to plant this word in your heart.

GROUP LECTIO

1. One person reads the passage slowly.
2. Each person identifies a word, phrase, or character that sticks out―write it down.
3. Anyone who desires to can share the word or phrase around the group (no discussion).
4. Another person reads the passage slowly (From a different translation, if possible).
5. Each person identifies where this passage impacts their life today―write it down.
6. Anyone who desires to can share (no discussion).
7. The passage is read a third time slowly (Another reader and translation if possible).
8. Each person names or writes: “From what I’ve heard and shared, what do I believe God wants me to do or believe? Is God inviting me to change in any way?”
9. Each shares their answer.
10. Each prays for the person on their right, naming what was shared in other steps

OVERVIEW

The early Christians did not waste a lot of energy looking back and wishing they had been born a hundred years earlier so they could have walked with Jesus. Instead they focused on coming to know Christ in three powerful ways: practicing the Sacraments; reading Scripture; and the Spirit’s presence in gathering together as God’s people.

St. Ignatius invited people to pray to come to know Christ so that one may love him in a more real way and, following from this knowledge and love, become a more faithful disciple.

In order to grow in this ‘faith knowledge’, Ignatius taught a prayer method called contemplation. This is not some strange,  mystical prayer but a form of prayer in which one uses his or her senses in an imaginative way to reflect on a Gospel passage. One uses seeing, hearing, tasting, touching, and smelling to make the Gospel scene real and alive.

This is a prayer that emphasizes listening to God’s Word, learning Christ, so as to become more like Him.

KEY FEATURES

1. Gospels emphasis—choose a Gospel story.
2. Recognition that God is present in Scripture.
3. The passage should be read thoughtfully—not too fast or too slow, but to be understood and experienced.
4. Use of imagination and creativity

CONTEMPLATION

Although best done in a group setting, solo contemplation can be done.

1. Find a quiet, relaxing place
2. Choose a passage (story) from the Gospels.
3. Recall that you are engaging with God’s Word and God is present in His Word.
4. Read (or listen to) the passage—soak in the details of the scene: Where does it take place? Who is present? What happens?
5. Read (or listen to) the passage again—soak in the words and emotions of the scene: What is said? What emotions run beneath, between characters?
6. (If needed, read it again to familiarize yourself further with the scene)
7. Close your eyes and reconstruct the scene in your imagination: See what is going on and watch the men and women in the scene. As one enters into the scene, sometimes there is the desire to be there. Place yourself in the scene, perhaps as an observer, as one lining up for healing, or as one helping others to Jesus.
   • What does Jesus look like? How do the others react to him?
   • What are the people saying to one another? What emotions fill their words?
   • Is Jesus touching someone?
8. Some people’s imaginations are very active so they construct a movie-like scenario with a Gospel passage. Others will enter the scene with verbal imagination, reflecting on the scene and mulling over the actions. Vividness is not a criteria for the effectiveness of this kind of prayer. Engagement is and the result is a more interior knowledge of Jesus.
9. Respond: one should take a moment to speak person to person with Christ saying what comes from the heart.
   • What is your response to Jesus?
   • Is Jesus drawing you to change in some way?
   • What do you need the Spirit’s help with?

OVERVIEW

In the most basic form, fasting is abstaining from food. However, there is more to fasting than merely not eating. Fasting is not about getting or receiving something; biblically speaking, fasting is done in response to a serious, grievous, or sacred moment―sin, fear, sickness, needs, threats, uncertainty, preparation, etc. It is realizing our lack of control over a situation or ‘moment’, mourning our inadequacy, and seeking to place our whole being into the presence of God. It is a holistic action that stimulates our heart, mind, soul, and body. Only God forgives, brings peace, heals, provides, protects, gives revelation, etc. It is not about seeking the “end goal”, but simply placing our ‘moment’ into God’s presence to allow him to deal with it―how he deals with it is up to him!

FASTING & FEASTING

Jesus, in response to a question on fasting, stated, “The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; in those days they will fast.” (Luke 5.35). While Jesus was on earth, the kingdom of God was physically present. Now, we live in the in-between, where Jesus is ascended and we await his return―which will be celebrated with a feast (Isa. 25.6-9; Luke 14.1-24; Rev. 19.6-9).

Fasting, then, can be seen as craving God’s kingdom (reign) on earth. Jesus taught his disciples to pray, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt. 6.10). This is not merely a future hope of the kingdom, but a current desire for God’s ruling presence. God’s kingdom is breaking into the present and he uses his Spirit-filled people to reveal and share that kingdom (Rom 14.17-18). When we realize and feel the weight of the brokenness, injustice, and oppression in the world, and we fast in response to its condition, God’s response is to bring his reign of healing, justice, and freedom. Fasting, then, brings us into partnership with God in what he is doing in and around us.

CHOOSING A FAST

1. Full Fast

Full Fasts are when you abstain from all food and drink for a full day―or more. Traditionally, Jewish fasting is from sun-down to sun-down. Examples: Jesus fasting forty days (Matt. 4.2); Paul fasting in response to encountering Jesus (Acts 9.9).

2. Daniel Fast

Daniel Fasts are when you eat only certain foods―fruit, veggies, or nuts―to sustain (not fill) you through the fast period which can last days or weeks (Dan. 1.12, 10.2-3).

3. Intermittent Fast

Intermittent Fasts are when you abstain from food and drink for a certain period of time. This could be from sun-up to sun-down or skipping a meal or two in a day. It could go for a day or over multiple days

4. Lenten Fast

Lenten Fast is removing beloved foods or drinks to help to turn attention to God over a number of weeks. This could be the likes of chocolate, soda, or coffee.

5. Soul Fast

Souls Fasts are when you remove some thing from your life for a number of weeks. It might be television, social media, video games, screens in general, or pleasure reading―anything that can be a distraction from seeking God. Soul Fasts can be combined with any of the other Fasts.

P.R.E.P. DURING A FAST

During your fast, it is important to remember to actually spend time seeking God. Do not feel like it has to be for the entire fast (as in you cannot do anything else), but that you take time during your fasting periods to P.R.E.P.

• Pray
• Read Scripture
• Engage in worship
• Perceive the leading of the Spirit

OVERVIEW

The Prayer Calendar is an amazing way to begin a daily prayer habit of praying for others. It was introduced by David and Paul Watson in their book Contagious Disciple Making. It only takes about five minutes a day, but can easily turn into a movement of prayer.

PREPARE

Use the template below, make your own from a sheet of paper, or use a calendar (electronic allows for reminders).

Write the name of a person on each numbered line, beginning with those closest to you, who would be most likely to answer a phone call or return a text. Include those who might join you in disciple-making efforts or might make their own prayer calendars in the future. Do not feel obligated to fill the entire calendar and feel free to repeat names.

PRAY

Each day, look at your list and call or text the person for that day (If it is the 2nd, call/text the person on line 2). A call will take ~5 minutes:

1. Let them know you will be praying for them throughout the day―If they are someone who would like to join you, explain the Prayer Calendar to them.
2. Ask them if there is anything specific that they need prayer for.
3. Pray for them:
   1. If you are calling the person: ask if you can pray for them right now.
   2. If you are texting with them: write out your prayer or send a voice message.

MULTIPLY

After a few months, invite a few people on your list to start their own prayer calendars. Teach them how you set up your prayer calendar and as you come to them to pray on your list ask how they are doing with it. Also, ask if they have any great stories of how God is working. By sharing stories of what God is doing, we encourage and inspire one another.

If just three of the people on your calendar start their own calendars, and they each invite three more people who also start calendars, you move from 2.5 hours of prayer to 32.5 hours of prayer and from 30 to over 300 people being prayed for each month. Can you imagine how this increased prayer could transform a local church?

The discipline of a prayer calendar helps to create connections between people in the body of Christ. More people will be interested in starting a prayer calendar when they hear about answers to prayers. As relationships develop and answered prayers are shared, a prayer calendar can create more and more momentum for prayer.

The prayer calendar is a small habit to start, but it can have a profound impact over time. As people continue to reach out to others their hearts become more and more oriented toward impacting others for Christ. When this happens, you have the beginning of a prayer movement.

MORE CALENDARS

Create calendars for specific people groups in your life and add calendars if you are able:

• Extended Family Members
• Neighbors
• Co-workers
• Non-believers