Archive for the 'Prayer' Category

Dark Shadows

Sunday, January 8th, 2012

We have good intentions about a consistent prayer life. Then life happens. Time gets squeezed. We think we have things under control on our own. But do we really?

Today’s scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

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Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep

Sunday, May 1st, 2011

Most of us probably learned to pray as children. But how do we know we’re doing it right? Do you ever wonder?

Today’s scripture: Matthew 6:1-8

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The Missing Link

Sunday, July 5th, 2009

What is the secret to praying prayers of great power?

Over the years, you’ve probably heard many preachers propose answers to that question. But this sermon explores a Scripture passage that suggests an answer you’ve probably never even considered. It may be the missing link!

Today’s scripture:Ezekiel 37:1-12

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Use the player below to listen to this sermon. Right-click on the tag to download. Comments or questions? Please email us.

Sacred Pause

Sunday, June 29th, 2008

This sermon concludes the series on prayer.

We’ve talked for weeks now about all these different methods of praying.  Maybe you’ve experimented with some of them, but they haven’t “worked” or  seemed just OK.

This sermon explores how life can move to a sacred rhythm, where prayer — whatever form you use — will be deep and meaningful.

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Sermon supplement: Guidelines for Creating a Prayer List

Use the player below to listen to this sermon. Right-click on the tag to download. Comments or questions? Please email us.

When Words Fail

Sunday, June 22nd, 2008

Do you ever feel “stuck” in prayer?  Like you’re just saying the same words over and over?  Or maybe you’ve run completely out of words, and don’t even know what else to say.

This sermon looks at two ways to pray that are “beyond” words — one conventional, one unconventional.

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Sermon supplement: Experimenting with Supra-Rational Prayers

Use the player below to listen to this sermon. Right-click on the tag to download. Comments or questions? Please email us.

Stairway to Heaven

Sunday, June 8th, 2008

We’re continuing our series that looks at the many ways there are to pray.

Have you ever heard of people praying with icons? What’s that all about? Some swear by it, while others say it’s contrary to scripture.

Listen as we investigate yet another ancient form of prayer and assess its relevance to us today.

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Sermon supplement: Experimenting with Home Altars and Gazing Prayers

Use the player below to listen to this sermon. Right-click on the tag to download. Comments or questions? Please email us.

Near, Far, Wherever You Are

Sunday, June 1st, 2008

We’re continuing our series that looks at the many ways there are to pray.

This sermon looks at praying with home altars. This may be something you’ve never considered before (or you’ve considered it with suspicion), but it can help break down the false division between sacred (church) and secular (home).

This ancient form of prayer may be just the thing that works for you!

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Sermon supplement: Experimenting with Home Altars and Gazing Prayers

Use the player below to listen to this sermon. Right-click on the tag to download. Comments or questions? Please email us.

Patterns of Life

Sunday, May 25th, 2008

This sermon looks at Praying the Stations of the Cross. It’s an ancient practice that, in some traditions, may be looked on with suspicion — “vain repetition”, and all that.

But it’s in this repetition that we’re reminded of Christ’s life and the story of the Christian faith. This type of prayer allows those stories and principles to seep deep into our minds and hearts — letting us pattern our life after that of Jesus.

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Sermon supplement: Experimenting with Praying the Stations of the Cross

Use the player below to listen to this sermon. Right-click on the tag to download. Comments or questions? Please email us.

Know Thyself

Sunday, May 18th, 2008

We’re in the midst of a sermon series on prayer, learning about some of the more than 40 ways there are to pray. Within those 40 ways, there’s bound to be a method of prayer that is a perfect match for you.

This sermon looks at Prayers of Examen. (No, that’s not a typo. It’s an old word that relates to deep introspection.) We’ll look at two specific techniques that will help you review your life — the big events, and the day to day — and hear from God about the direction you’re going.

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Sermon supplement: Experimenting with Prayers of Examen

Use the player below to listen to this sermon. Right-click on the tag to download. Comments or questions? Please email us.

If I Could Write A Letter To Me

Sunday, May 11th, 2008

We continue our series on prayer, learning about some of the more than 40 ways there are to pray. Within those 40 ways, there’s bound to be a method of prayer that is a perfect match for you.

This sermon focuses on written prayers. We’ll look at two ways to communicate with God in writing: letters to God, and journaling.

Writing out your thoughts and impressions in prayer can be a great way to tap into the deep wisdom that God offers to us all.

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Sermon supplement: Experimenting with Written Words as Prayer

Use the player below to listen to this sermon. Right-click on the tag to download. Comments or questions? Please email us.

Body Language

Sunday, May 4th, 2008

We’re in the midst of a sermon series on prayer, learning about some of the more than 40 ways there are to pray. Within those 40 ways, there’s bound to be a method of prayer that is a perfect match for you.

This sermon’s focus: body prayer. Did you know you can pray without using words? Sound bizarre and impossible?

Listen or watch as we look at three ways to use your body and feelings (rather than your mind and words) to communicate with God.

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Sermon supplement: Experimenting with Body Prayer

Use the player below to listen to this sermon. Right-click on the tag to download. Comments or questions? Please email us.

Words Leap Off the Page

Sunday, April 20th, 2008

Did you know that there are more than 40 ways to pray? If it seems like you’re just wasting your time when you pray, it could be that you’re trying to pray in a way that isn’t right for you.

This week, we’ll look at the ancient practice of lectio divina — praying the scriptures. This prayer method challenges you to engage your heart, not just your head, when reading the Bible. It may be just the thing you need to make a real connection to God.

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Sermon supplement: Experimenting With Praying the Scriptures: Lectio Divina

Use the player below to listen to this sermon. Right-click on the tag to download. Comments or questions? Please email us.

Destination Imagination

Sunday, April 13th, 2008

Did you know that there are more than 40 ways to pray? If it seems like you’re just spinning your wheels — or wasting your time — when you pray, it could be that you’re trying to pray in a way that isn’t right for you.

Join us this Sunday as we begin a new, practical series on prayer. One of the many methods of prayer we examine may be just the thing you need to make a real connection to God.

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Sermon supplement: Experimenting with Prayers of Imagination

Use the player below to listen to this sermon. Right-click on the tag to download. Comments or questions? Please email us.