Pray Like This: Prayer Stations [Family Sunday]
Today’s Message:
February 17th was a Family Sunday and we continued our series in the Lord’s Prayer by engaging with various prayer stations after our time in worship together.
If you missed our time together, here are some ideas for your engagement with praying through the Lord’s Prayer
Journaling: You will find journaling paper and pens at the journaling station, feel free to take a sheet of paper and return to your seat for meditation and reflection.
Prayer: Using each line of the Lord’s prayer as a prompt, take time this morning for an extended time of prayer.
Worship and thanksgiving: take time praising God for who is and all He has done for you and for the world throughout history
Intercession, submission and surrender: What in your life do you need to surrender to God’s will? Where in the world are you longing to see God’s kingdom and will being done?
Provision: Ask God to care for your needs and the needs of the community and world.
Confession, and giving forgiveness to others: How have you sinned against God and against others this week? How have you sinned in your actions, and words? How have you sinned by not speaking, or acting? How have you sinned in your thoughts and attitudes?
Asking God for strength: Where in your life do you need God’s guidance, and deliverance? How do you need His strength to come along side you in this upcoming week?
Meditation: Here is a way to meditate on the Lord’s Prayer, by simply saying the prayer very slowly and very meditatively.
“St. Ignatius suggested to those who were searching to grow in prayer to pray the Our Father very slowly and silently in harmony with the pattern of deep, relaxed breathing. Pray only one word with each slow breath, letting the mind, heart and imagination dwell on that single word.
St. Ignatius also suggested a second method: become relaxed and dwell on the first word of the Our Father, for as long as it is meaningful. Then, move on to the second word. (A young novice once asked Teresa of Avila, “Mother, what shall I do to become a contemplative?’ Without missing a beat, Teresa responded, ‘Say the Our Father – but take an hour to say it.’).” - Sister Janet Schaeffler, O.P.
Today’s Scriptures | Matthew 6.7-13
Matt. 6:7 “And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. 8 “So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.
Matt. 6:9 “Pray, then, in this way:
‘Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 ‘Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
11 ‘Give us this day our daily bread.
12 ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’
NOTE: There was no recording of this message.