Praying in New Ways

A woman who is a therapist shared in the class, “God Delights in You,” that she really enjoyed the chapter on learning to pray in new ways. 

There are so many wonderful prayers. Growing up, I learned the Our Father (The Lord’s Prayer), Bless Our Food, and Goodnight prayers. Sadly, like many other prayers, these became rote. My mouth moved, yet I felt no heartfelt connection. Don’t forget to tag on “In Jesus’ Name,” which can be rote, too. My spirit became dry. Until I discovered how to enrich my conversation with God.

Prayer is simply talking to God like you would a friend. Jesus says in John 15:15, “I call you friends.” He calls you and me friends, too. I talk to God every day, just like I would a friend. Our morning coffee time together is precious to me.

I have learned that there are different ways to pray and connect with God which I share in the curriculum. What I believe is most important is not the actual words, but the authenticity that comes from the heart. There is no perfect way to pray. Just let it flow.

One way of praying in a new way is to start with a prayer you know and slow down. Pause. Reflect. Make it real and authentic from your heart. One of my favorites is the Serenity Prayer. I suggest journaling your responses.

Serenity Prayer

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change what I can and the wisdom to know the difference between the two.” AA and Al-Anon.

Try reflecting on the Serenity Prayer. Like most repetitive prayers, it can become rote. Reflect on this prayer mindfully and ask only for what you need today.

“God”    Who is God to you in this moment?

“grant me serenity”    Name the kind of serenity you are looking for today (feeling of well-being, ability to trust, peace).

“to accept the things I cannot change”    List what you cannot change today.

“the courage to change what I can”    What one thing can you change today?  What is one step you can take today to change it? 

“the wisdom to know the difference.”    What wisdom do you need today? 

• Put whatever you are trying to control in your hands and make a fist. 
  

• When you are ready to release it, open your hands and hold them up to God.
  

• With palms up, receive what you need from God, such as love, strength, courage, wisdom, then placing your hands over your heart.
  

• Sit with God in this for awhile, allowing what you have received from him to sink in.

This is a great prayer for letting go of control. AA and Al-Anon tell their members that they cannot change people nor control what they choose to do. They stress living one day at a time. Jesus told people not to worry about what to eat, drink, etc., and that each day had enough trouble of its own.