How Does Prayer connect us with God?
Lately, I’ve been looking into some of the more ancient practices of the Christian Church. Christianity has been around for about 2000 years, and believe it or not, in that time people have come up with all sorts of different ways for connecting with God.
I’ve found it so fascinating and so helpful to my own faith to learn about some of these different practices over the years… examples: Praying by walking a prayer labyrinth, the process of “holy reading” (called lectio divina), maintaining a daily rhythm of prayer (called the Daily Office). These are just some of the many different practices that I have discovered, practices that were once widely used but have been lost through history.
As I’ve been able to discover and find value in different types of prayer and conversation with God, I’ve also learned something about the broader process of prayer.
God not only hears and responds to our prayers but God also works through the actual process of prayer. Our questions and prayers can be answered as we pray them, they can be answered simply by taking part in the act of praying.
I think we lose sight of the importance of the process and will simply pray a prayer to get results. I really enjoy the spin that Celtic Christian writer John Phillip Newell puts on these ideas: “Prayer is not about beseeching a distant one to alter the mystery of reality, but rather prayer is about coming into tune with the deepest energies within us—the energies that I believe are of the One. The practice of prayer is bringing us back into relationship with that which is already among us and within us.”
We need to remember that we are holy and important in God’s eyes and that God is present with us right now. This alone can fill us with peace and transform us. Perhaps, in the process, we’ll even we’ll discover the answer to our prayers.
Take some time this week to really pray, to be intentional about the process and to see how God can work through the act of prayer. Perhaps you could try a new way of praying, whether that’s by journaling or drawing, sitting in silence, or even going on a walk. Allow God to enter into the process.
Lately, I’ve been looking into some of the more ancient practices of the Christian Church. Christianity has been around for about 2000 years, and believe it or not, in that time people have come up with all sorts of different ways for connecting with God.
I’ve found it so fascinating and so helpful to my own faith to learn about some of these different practices over the years… examples: Praying by walking a prayer labyrinth, the process of “holy reading” (called lectio divina), maintaining a daily rhythm of prayer (called the Daily Office). These are just some of the many different practices that I have discovered, practices that were once widely used but have been lost through history.
As I’ve been able to discover and find value in different types of prayer and conversation with God, I’ve also learned something about the broader process of prayer.
God not only hears and responds to our prayers but God also works through the actual process of prayer. Our questions and prayers can be answered as we pray them, they can be answered simply by taking part in the act of praying.
I think we lose sight of the importance of the process and will simply pray a prayer to get results. I really enjoy the spin that Celtic Christian writer John Phillip Newell puts on these ideas: “Prayer is not about beseeching a distant one to alter the mystery of reality, but rather prayer is about coming into tune with the deepest energies within us—the energies that I believe are of the One. The practice of prayer is bringing us back into relationship with that which is already among us and within us.”
We need to remember that we are holy and important in God’s eyes and that God is present with us right now. This alone can fill us with peace and transform us. Perhaps, in the process, we’ll even we’ll discover the answer to our prayers.
Take some time this week to really pray, to be intentional about the process and to see how God can work through the act of prayer. Perhaps you could try a new way of praying, whether that’s by journaling or drawing, sitting in silence, or even going on a walk. Allow God to enter into the process.
Categories
Tags
Archive
2026
January
365: Spiritual Practices You Can Do - St. Ignatius ExamenHymn Reflection - God of Love, O King of PeaceThe Book of Deuteronomy - Establishing CommunityThe Epiphany of Our LordRated PG: Thoughts on Isaiah 58The Unexpected Ways of God: Mistakes Epiphany Rising Stars - Guidance365: Spiritual Practices You Can Do - Lectio DivinaEpiphany Rising Stars - InspirationThe Book of Joshua - God Keeps the PromiseThe Baptism of Our LordRated PG: Thoughts on Jeremiah 29:7The Unexpected Ways of God: Prayer365: Spiritual Practices You Can Do - Centering Prayer
2025
January
February
Zombie ChurchFundamentalsFeasts & BanquetsAcademics & FaithShattering Our ExpectationsJesus didn't really mean that, right? Sacred Discomfort: How God Speaks in Uncomfortable MomentsThe Spirit IntercedesHappy Birthday JesusChristmas in JulyJoy in ListeningHope in the Midst of DoubtThe Gift of PresenceI'm too...Daily Bread and MindfulnessA Thousand Years is like a DaySacred Interruptions: How God Speaks Through Life's Detours
March
The Life was The Light of All PeopleWaiting PatientlyUnseenCreator God, I pray for the earth...God, I want to be better at...Holy Spirit, Help me UnderstandGod, Grant Me Patience WithThe Gospel of John - Guidance for LifeJesus Christ, Forgive Me ForThe Book of 1st Samuel - Trust During the BattlesGod of the Oppressed, protect those who are vulnerableEnduring Lord, I hope forPrince of Peace, Calm my Mind When...God, I wonder aboutThe Book of Hebrews - The Grand Story of SalvationBlessed Jesus, help me to let go ofHoly Jesus, we pray for your church
April
Preserving Lord, save me fromAwesome God, I am amazed byThe Joy of LentThe Book of 2nd Samuel - God's Redemptive PowerCompassionate God, I Weep ForThe Book of Acts - Being the ChurchPalm Sunday Spoken WordGenerous God, open my eyes to see...God, I needCursing the Fig Tree Spoken WordMaundy Thursday Spoken WordGood Friday Spoken WordThe Book of 1st Kings - Wisdom and DivisionHoly Saturday Spoken WordSing - Practice ResurrectionClean - Practice ResurrectionDo a Good Deed - Practice ResurrectionGrieve - Practice ResurrectionGive Thanks - Practice ResurrectionThe Book of Romans - The Saving Work of GodLive BoldlyPlant - Practice ResurrectionForgive Yourself - Practice ResurrectionCare for a friend - Practice Resurrection
May
Enjoy a Good Meal - Practice ResurrectionListen to Music - Practice ResurrectionThe Book of 2nd Kings - Hope in ExileWorship - Practice ResurrectionAppreciate Art - Practice ResurrectionLaughter HelpsDrink Water - Practice ResurrectionWatch a Sunset - Practice ResurrectionStretch - Practice ResurrectionThe Book of 1st Corinthians - Hope in the TurmoilThe Lord is My ShepherdBreathe - Practice ResurrectionRead - Practice ResurrectionCreate - Practice ResurrectionWalk or Run - Practice ResurrectionCall a Friend - Practice ResurrectionThe Book of 1st Chronicles - God's Presence in HistoryLove in ActionFor Aging GracefullyForgive - Practice ResurrectionLearn - Practice ResurrectionWash - Practice ResurrectionExplore - Practice ResurrectionThe Book of 2nd Corinthians - The Importance of ReconciliationGod Our ParentAdvocate - Practice ResurrectionLight a Candle - Practice Resurrection
No Comments