Prayer

Beginning and ending your day - asking for help with your struggles and for an outlook of acceptance, serenity, love, and service.

There are many kinds of prayer and many ways to pray. Some of these are:

• Praying with beads or knots for a meditative, tactile prayer

• Prayers for God’s will, setting aside one’s own will

• Ending the day with A Daily Examen, offering to God all that is past, marking ways to improve and things done well

• “Coffee Prayers”, a time of quiet in the morning with some morning routine (it needn’t be a cup of coffee), giving thanks for the day

• Journalling, which can be a part of the above prayers.

• Exercise as Prayer - walking, running, biking, Yoga, lifting

Meditation

There are many forms of meditation.

• Drawing Mandalas, coloring, any drawing

• Taking a hike/walk

• Getting in the zone/flow of disconnecting from the stresses and noise of life

• Yoga and other forms of movement

One form of meditative prayer is called “Centering Prayer.”In Centering Prayer, you sit quietly, breathe slowly, and focus on the breath for 5-20 minutes, relaxing your body, and repeating a sacred word.

The “sacred word” can be any word that brings peace to you. During the meditation, as thoughts come clamoring for attention, repeat the sacred word in your mind, letting the thoughts go.

The point is not to rid your mind of thought, but to practice letting the thoughts go and returning to center, to the breath, to the presence of God in and around you in that moment. Over time, you develop a sense of calm and peace.

Listing & Sharing Gratitudes

Three things for which you are grateful, no matter how large or small

Writing your gratitudes each day and sharing them with others helps refocus your mind and even rewire your brain to see more beauty and hope in the world. From that place, life’s challenges are easier to face.

“The root of joy is gratefulness. It is not joy that makes of grateful; it is gratitude that makes us joyful.”                                - David Steindl-Rast

Reading Scripture or Other Healing Writing

Writings which focus you on healing, peace, recovery

Reading healing writings, books, and daily reflections every day helps focus our minds and hearts.

• Daily Meditations from the Henry Nouwen Society

• Scripture Meditations and readings for each day

• Books and Podcasts on living fully and bravely

• “Love Heals” by Becca Stevens

• “A Rhythm of Prayer” by Sarah Bessey

Sharing Joys & Sorrows

Contacting others; seeking and giving support; we are not meant to walk alone

Call a friend or neighbor. Make a practice of sharing your life, giving and receiving support with people you trust.