Session 3: Responding to God with us through prayer
In this session we will explore ways we meet and respond to God within daily life through prayer. Do we need to find more space in our lives for God?
As we come together at the end of a busy day,
Let us place the concerns, the burdens and the weariness of the day
into God’s hands,
Silence is kept
As we come together, O God,
may the assurance of your love
strengthen us,
and the light of your presence
set our hearts on fire with love for you,
now and for ever,Amen
A candle is lit
Lord God, open our eyes to see the truths within your word;
open our ears to hear your voice as we talk together,
and open our minds to receive all the blessings that you have prepared for us tonight. Amen
Luke 24: 15, 28-31
While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him...
As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, ‘Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.’ So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight.
For the early Christians the story of the Emmaus road would have been a powerful reminder that along every road walked through life Jesus is with us. The two disciples in the story failed to identify Jesus at first but as they gave their attention to the stranger alongside them their hearts were moved. As we give our attention to Jesus through prayer we too open ourselves to the life-giving Spirit. The breaking of bread – an echo of all the meals Jesus must have shared with his disciples – proved the point of recognition. For many Christians the Eucharistic breaking of bread is a special point of meeting with Christ. But as such, it also points us to this reality: that each day we are with Jesus, and he with us. We are continually being drawn into relationship with God through prayer.
- Are you good at keeping in touch with friends?
- Think about your preferred method of communicating with friends – conversation, phone, letter, email, text. Why does this work best for you?
Share you thoughts in 2s or 3s.
Then In the whole group:
- Discuss the importance of good communication. What happens when we stop communicating?How do we benefit by communicating with one another?
- In what sense is prayer about communication with God? What do you think might be the benefits of this communication?
- Are there other ‘doing words’ you associate with prayer? [for example: asking, listening, thanking, being with].
Prayer is about relationship
God knows you, loves you and walks along the road with you, just as Jesus kept company with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. In prayer we turn our minds and hearts to God whose mind and heart is always turned to us. To pray is to choose to respond to the invitation to relationship with God.
Prayer is where longing turns to seeking
The two friends on the road to Emmaus lamented how empty life was without Jesus
Below the surface of our lives we sometimes recognise how deeply we long for the love that alone can complete us and give our lives meaning. Prayer is where our longing turns into seeking. Prayer is more than asking for things to make life better. It is seeking wholeness, love and meaning in Jesus.
Prayer is abiding in Jesus’ presence
The two disciples pressed Jesus to stay with them. Prayer is a way we willingly choose to abide in Jesus’ presence, just as Jesus willingly chooses to abide in us [John 15.4].Though we might have specific times of prayer God is present to us always and everywhere – in every ‘here’ and ‘now’. If we pause for a moment to say ‘thank you’ for something beautiful we see, or abide with him as we cook, or garden or walk, then all that we experience becomes a door to God. We become present to Presence.
Prayer begins with God
In the Emmaus encounter it is Jesus who comes alongside the disciples; his is the first move. Though we think of prayer as something we do, the first initiative belongs to God. We are called to dwell in a love already given, and be at home in God who has freely chosen to be at home in us. Prayer is the experience of being drawn into intimacy with God, the same intimacy as exist between Father and Son and we know as ‘Holy Spirit’
In prayer we share what is within our hearts
The two disciples shared their hearts with the stranger who kept them company. They poured out their loss and urged their new companion to stay with them. In prayer we share ourselves with God; this sharing can involve speaking: bringing to God what we feel, think or hope for. We can be ourselves with God, saying just what we need to, whether we are happy, sad, angry or anxious.
In prayer we let go to God
For a long time the stranger walking with the disciples on the Emmaus road is just that: a stranger. But then in the breaking of bread their eyes are opened.Sometimes we experience something when we pray; sometimes nothing seems to happen. All of this is in God’s gift. What matters is not whether we feel this or that but whether through prayer we become more open to, and aware of God in the whole of life.
There are things that can help us to pray: finding a regular place or time for prayer, using a visual focal point, relaxing our bodies or using a prayer word or ‘mantra’ to help still our minds. Ultimately though, prayer is not about having the right technique. Prayer isn’t something we do in our own effort – it’s something we allow the Spirit of God to do in us. Trying too hard or worrying whether we are doing it right can actually get in the way. ‘Let go and let God’ very much applies to prayer.
Prayer opens us to inner transformation
The two disciples are transformed in a moment; their grief turns to joy, and they return to Jerusalem to bring their fellow disciples the healing they have experienced.
When we pray we make room for God to be at work within, bringing us healing, moving us towards wholeness, and setting us free. We open ourselves to Love, and in turn our capacity to love grows. In prayer we are drawn into God’s compassion for others and find ourselves wanting to share our time and gifts in ways that bring life to others. We not only pray but begin to live ‘Your kingdom come, here on earth as in heaven’
Ask, seek, knock
Jesus said ‘Ask, seek, knock’ [Luke 11.9]. Nearing Emmaus the two friends urged Jesus, ‘Stay with us!’ Prayer is expressed in our desire to be present to God, knowing our need of his life. The desire for God is at the heart of prayer, and this desire itself is something we can ask for.
You may find it helpful to look at the reflection material given for this session at this point and have some discussion / sharing in the group about what different people feel drawn to explore.
Psalm 63: 1-8
As you listen to the psalm being read, notice any particular phrases or words that seem to have a meaning for you today
O God, you are my God, I seek you,
my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you,
as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,
beholding your power and glory.
Because your steadfast love is better than life,
my lips will praise you.
So I will bless you as long as I live;
I will lift up my hands and call on your name.
My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast,
and my mouth praises you with joyful lips
when I think of you on my bed,
and meditate on you in the watches of the night;
for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I sing for joy.
My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.
1] Share any words or phrases from the psalm that seem important to you
2] What do you find difficult / helpful / puzzling or challenging about this psalm?
3] Share anything that helps you to pray: for example a particular place, a time in your day, or a way of prayer that seems to work for you
4] Share anything that seems an obstacle to making space and time for prayer.
You may find the reflection exercises helpful as they explore ways we can meet and respond to God within life as it is [rather than life as we’d like it to be!].
Silence is kept whilst we reflect on what we have discussed, what we have heard and what we have learnt.Music may be played
Suggestions- Taize chants The Lord is my light, my light and salvation
Within our darkest night
Stay with us, O Lord Jesus Christ, night will soon fall,
Wait for the Lord, his day is near
My peace I leave you, my peace I give you
Stay with us Lord,
open our eyes and set our hearts on fire,
as you open your word,
as you break the bread,
as we live your life.
Enrich us with your grace,
empower us by your Spirit,
enfold us in your love,
as we walk the journey of faith with you.Amen
The Grace
Reflection Exercises
Prayer within the rhythm of the day Many of us find it difficult to fit times of prayer into daily life – especially when demands of care for others, or of work are great, or when the pattern of each day is different, lacking a regular structure. Yet there are ways of weaving prayer in and out of daily activities so that even within the most taxing of days there are points of prayerful meeting, conversation and rest.
Look through the different ways of prayer below and if there is one you feel drawn to make an effort to build this into your life during this coming week.
Carry
Carry with you a physical object that you associate with prayer – prayer beads, a prayer stone, or a small holding cross.
As you come across it in your pocket or your bag hold it in your hand and lift your heart and mind to God.
Move
Make a simple body prayer in a quiet moment as you begin, end or go through your day
- A ‘sign of the cross’ made with your hand touching your forehead, chest and shoulders
- Slow, restful breathing in of God’s Spirit for two minutes
- Opening the palms of your hands to express your dependence on God’s giving
Work
Use a regular physical activity as a help to stilling your mind before God: – washing the dishes, digging the garden, ironing, making bread or knitting.
The absorption of your body in a physical task leaves your mind free to be present to God.
Walk
As you walk to the station on your way to work, or to pick up the children, imagine you are walking side by side with Jesus. Talk with him, but listen too
Sense
Each day, for 5 minutes, give all your attention to one or more of your senses. Listen to the sound of birdsong. Look at the structure, shape and colour of a flower in your garden or a tree on your street. Smell the rain on the street that falls after a dry spell. Give thanks to God for what you experience.
Greet
Light a candle as you begin the day, with a simple prayer:
‘Lord, give me light for my path this day’.
As you turn on a tap: ‘Lord, give me the water of life this day.’
When the traffic light turns red:
‘Thank you Lord for rest.’
Crossing a threshold:
Bless the people in this place
Pause
Recognise the natural pauses / breathing spaces within your day:
A regular drive in the car, a train journey, a space within your lunch break, a pause before you switch on your computer...
Make one of these pauses a regular point of meeting with God.
Share this pause with God, sometimes in conversationbut also in restful and attentive presence.
Remember
As you move towards the end of the day ask God to show you where you have met him this day:
- in what you saw, heard, or felt
- In the people you met and the work you did
Let your remembering lead you into prayer:
- Thanking God for simple gifts
- Asking God for guidance
- Letting go to God burdens and fears