Practicing Christian mindfulness and prayer can not only bring one closer to God, but it can also reduce stress, lengthen our lives and improve our body’s responses to a wide variety of illnesses and conditions. Joan Watson explains.
The beginner’s guide to a deep prayer life
Prayer is the essential foundation of discipleship. Without prayer, how can we communicate with God? But many Christians find prayer difficult. This article from Cru explores how to pray more effectively. (Photo: John Ragal, Creative Commons)
The vast intimacy of Jesus’ prayer for us
RCL Reflection for the Seventh Sunday of Easter Year B, May 16, 2021
Jesus’ prayer doesn’t seek to take us out of the world in some pie-in-the-sky version of rapture. It places us squarely here in the midst of the created order, and it lets us know that the Christ is right there with us—along with God the Creator and Author of all that is.
Called: Prayer as vocational expression
RCL Reflection, Proper 12 (17), Seventh Sunday after Pentecost, Year C, July 28, 2019
No prayer, no request, and no need is beyond the scope of God’s relationship with us. Yes, truly, God is as near as our next door neighbor, indeed as near as our next breath. This means that all aspects of our lives may rightly and practically be infused with prayer. (Photo: lel4nd, Creative Commons)
5 Proven Benefits of Prayer
Sure, you may draw closer to God when you pray, but are there other ways that prayer is good for you? Yes, say scientists have who have studied the physical, mental and emotional health of people who engage in regular prayer. They have found it to be beneficial in tangible ways. This informative article from […]
Calling All Prayerful Peacemakers
Lectionary Reflection for the Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Year C September 18, 2016 The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in […]
Wrapped in Prayer
Seventh Sunday of Easter Year A, June 1, 2014
As we leave Easter for the long, green season of ordinary time, may we never forget that relationship with God is anything but ordinary. May we also never forget that prayer is powerful and in it we enter into conversation with our Lord, into the very presence of the Divine. (Photo: Bill McChesney, Creative Commons)
Stewards of the Promise (Part Two)
To be a steward of Jesus’ bold promise in this week’s reading implies that we will fully invest ourselves in passing on the faith, in sharing the story, and in continuing the work of Christ. In doing so we align our wills to Christ’s will, and as his body visible today we boldly carry his message to the world. (Photo by Charles Clegg, used by Creative Commons license)
Wise Words for Consternated Christians
Lectionary Reflection for the 10th Sunday after Pentecost, July 28, 2013
Today’s lessons offer wisdom for those too timid or troubled or tired of praying. Jesus tells us to ask, and Paul reminds us that we have received. How can we help equip our communities to be confident in prayer, deepening the roots of faith, and bearing fruit abundantly? Read on! (Photo: Leland Francisco, Creative Commons)
Cultivating Spiritual Growth
Lectionary Reflection for the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, August 5, 2012
How’s the work of cultivating disciples going in your community of faith? Paul has some good words for spiritual gardeners in this week’s epistle lesson, and the gospel reminds us the master gardener’s mentoring that sustains us. (Photo by hans s used under Creative Commons License. Thanks!)
