Strengthening Faith, Love, and Hope
Recently at Grace, I talked about a spiritual practice called the Examen, a reflective prayer built around two polar sensations: consolations and desolations. St. Ignatius of Loyola developed the prayer in the 1500s, and it has become a staple practice for people who love connecting with God through some of the more contemplative streams of … Continue reading Consolations and Desolations
"Read the red and pray for the power." These were the instructions that Dr. Fuchsia Pickett gave to our class when Jessica and I were in Bible school in the early 90s, and I think they are the perfect marching orders for each of us as we start a New Year together. Yesterday, Grace Church … Continue reading Read the red and pray for the power!
In response to challenges that answers to prayer are nothing more than coincidence, Bishop William Temple said, "When I pray coincidences happen, when I don't they don't." I certainly agree with the first half of Temple's response---coincidences definitely happen more frequently when I pray. But sometimes they also happen when I don't pray. Do you … Continue reading Luck is John Doe for God
Almighty God, as I cross the threshold of this day, I commit myself, soul, body, affairs, friends, to your care; watch over, keep, guide, direct, sanctify, bless me. Incline my heart to your ways; mould me wholly into the image of Jesus, as a potter forms clay; may my lips be a well-tuned harp to … Continue reading Morning Dedication (A Puritan prayer to start our day)
The Didache (pronounced did-akh-ay’) is a first century document that captured and preserved the central teachings of Jesus Christ’s twelve apostles in clear, succinct form. Amid its exhortations about faith, fasting, the Eucharist, ethical behaviors, and more, The Didache says this about prayer: “As the Lord commanded in His Gospel so pray: ‘Our Father in … Continue reading The Lord’s Prayer–three times daily
Chris Jackson 