March 6 / Thursday – Praying / Lenten Devotional

• Scripture: Ephesians 6:18 – Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.
• Reflection: There is always a way to pray. Sometimes it’s silent. Sometimes it’s a scream. Sometimes it’s a single word, like “Gee” or “Yes” or “Help” or “Thanks” or “Wow” as we learn from author Anne Lamott. Sometimes it’s walking and moving. Sometimes it’s being still and silent and listening. Sometimes it’s singing and dancing. Sometimes it’s creating such as knitting or painting or sculpting. There’s a prayer for every occasion, for any time of the day or night, for any circumstance or mood. There isn’t a right way, there’s just doing it. Calling out. Opening up the lines of communication. Starting a dialogue, even if you cannot hear the One who listens on the other end of what you are saying.
  This text urges us to pray on all occasions. Prayer becomes a discipline that equips us for life’s challenges and strengthens our faith. Especially when we feel alone and helpless, it gives us one step we can take. And when we’re connected in community during prayer, how powerful that can be!
• Spiritual Practice Prompt: Create a prayer list of specific people or situations to intercede for this week.prayer l

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Songs:

• Pray by Justin Bieber: https://youtu.be/o9tJW9MDs2M
• I Pray by Amanda Perez: https://youtu.be/J8rtDrDb4oo
• Pray for Me by Kendrick Lamar: https://youtu.be/K5xERXE7pxI
• That’s Why I Pray by Big & Rich: https://youtu.be/QjJyZfDCa88

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The highest form of prayer is sometimes to just listen. – Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

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When I am with you, everything is prayer. — Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi

I prayed for change,
so I changed my mind.

I prayed for guidance
and learned to trust myself.

I prayed for happiness
and realized I am not my ego.

I prayed for peace
and learned to accept others unconditionally.

I prayed for abundance
and realized my doubt kept it out.

I prayed for wealth
and realized it is my health.

I prayed for a miracle
and realized I am the miracle.

I prayed for a soul mate
and realized I am with the One.

I prayed for love
and realized it is always knocking,
but I have to allow it in.