Prayer is a call, a response, and a dialogue. Prayer may be expressed in many ways, including verbally, non-verbally, physically, creatively, silently, privately, and in community.
Spiritual Practice: The Listening Prayer
Prayer is our conversation with God, but how often is your prayer a dialogue?
Do you go through the motions quickly in order to “get it done”?
Do you recite your list of complaints and your wish list, and then sign off?
How do you expect prayer to change you, or to change the situations you find yourself in?
Here’s a prayer that children and families at Pebble Hill use in the spiritual practice of listening for God. Why not give it a try and see what you hear!
The Listening Prayer (in a quiet place, take a deep breath, close your eyes, and calm your body) Be still and know that I am God. (breathe in, breathe out, and listen) Be still and know that I am (breathe in, breathe out, and listen) Be still and know that I (breathe in, breathe out, and listen) Be still and know that (breathe in, breathe out, and listen) Be still and know (breathe in, breathe out, and listen) Be still and (breathe in, breathe out, and listen) Be still (breathe in, breathe out, and listen) Be (breathe in, breathe out, and listen)
(when you are ready) Be still and know that I am God. Thanks be to God!