40 Days of Prayer – Wednesday 19th October to Sunday 27th November 2022
The full prayer book for these 40 days is available. Click on thislink to read or download your own copy. Prayer Book 2022 – online
Paper copies are also available at church if needed. Updates will also be available on the facebook page https://www.facebook.com/wakatipuchurch
There is no single way to pray and we must be wary of systems and methods before relationship; however some methods and discipline in prayer can help us draw near to God and grow deeper in our relationship with God. Examen as explained below is one such method.
Examen (Prayer)
Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday. Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him;
(Psalm 37:3-7a)
Preparation
Get yourself comfortable – not so comfortable that you fall asleep but comfortable enough that you can stay in the same position for an extended time. Put your feet flat on the ground, and take a few slow deep breaths. As you breathe in, imagine that you are inhaling God’s Spirit as you would a pleasant aroma. Savour the sensation of God’s loving presence with you. As you exhale, imagine that your breath (spirit) cooperates with God the Holy Spirit so that God’s love permeates the space around you. The aim now is to allow God the Holy Spirit to guide you so that you can see your life in the light of God’s grace.
Examen
Review the events of your life over the past week. Look for moments of grace. How was grace infused into the words or actions of each memorable event? Rest in gratitude. Receive life again from the memory of each grace-filled moment.
Allow God the Holy Spirit to search your heart as you recall moments in which you sensed the absence of grace. When were you least able to give and receive love this week? Ask yourself what was said or done in that moment that made it so troublesome. Be with whatever you feel without trying to change or fix it in any way. Take a deep breath and acknowledge God’s love for you—warts and all!
Give thanks to God for granting this self-awareness and examination of conscience.
Consider where God is calling you to grow in this? Form your prayers of confession, petition, and praise.
Accept the gift of God’s relentless tenderness.
What happens when you let go and let God?