Prayer Tools- 10/18 and a half

TOOLS TO HELP US IN OUR PRAYER EXERCISE:
Knit and Pray

Ignatius Loyola wrote an excellent book on the exercise of prayer.  So did John Bunyan and Jonathan Edwards.  Christians have seen a need to use "means" or tools to enhance our prayer life.  Here are some tools we will be using this month especially. 

1) A Prayer Notebook- in which you keep track of your prayers- and also answered prayer.
     I love to look back at some answered prayers from even 33 years ago- like when I wrote that my
     wife would say "yes" when I asked her- 33 years ago!  A notebook helps us to see God's hand at
     work through prayer.  Notebooks are available in the fellowship hall lobby and church office.

2) The Prayer Wall- I thought this was a bit unusual.  But I remember the prayers we left in the Temple's Western Wall in Jerusalem.  I remember the exact prayers there and even how some are answered- like Rebekah and Jay's getting a job (and in District Five to boot!).  A Prayer Wall is a visible way people see we are praying- and we join with others in praying for these things.

3) A Prayer Labyrinth- This is a way to walk and pray.  It is a reminder that God sees us in our journey and listens along the way.  Some labyrinths are mazes (like the corn maze), but they all point to God's listening along our way- even when we don't know the way we are going.

4) A Prayer Vigil.  Vigil is taken from the word "vigilance" or "watchfulness."  Jesus said many times to watch and pray.  Jesus spent nights in prayer, and often woke up early in order to pray before his day got going.  We want to take a 24 hour period and divide it up into 15 minutes and have people sign up for 15 minutes.  You don't have to fast, or come to the sanctuary (unless you want to).  But join us as we continually lift our conversation to God 11/2.  Sign up at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F45A4A829ABF85-prayer. 

5) Prayers Three times a day- If you are on the church's facebook page, you'll receive them.  Or you can go to This blog each day and see it.  http://thirtydaysinprayer.blogspot.com/

Small groups are also taking part.  Join us as we seek to pray together- and join in the joy of talking to God.