Lesson 5: Together in Prayer
Listen: Podcast 5: Together in Prayer
Podcast 5 Resources

Didn't take notes? We've got you covered! Here are the resources we mentioned in podcast 5.
From The Bible:
Online Prayer Groups or Prayer Houses:
From The Bible:
- Matthew 18:20 ("...where two or three gather...")
- Romans 12:15 ("...rejoice with those who rejoice...")
Online Prayer Groups or Prayer Houses:
- Vineyard Anaheim is a charismatic church that has prayer times in multiple languages via YouTube.
- UpperRoom has live has live (via YouTube) Monday-Friday prayer sets morning, noon, and night, including some in Spanish.
- International House of Prayer is live on YouTube 24/7.
Try It! (Prayer Podcast Suggestions from Podcast 5)

Prayer Partnership
Consider asking someone you trust to be your prayer partner. Meet together (in person, by phone, or by video conferencing) once every week, every two weeks, or every month to pray together. Be sure to discuss the confidentiality parameters you'll each uphold in regard to what you share.
Alternatively, or in addition, look into online prayer groups or prayer houses that you could engage with, such as those listed under this week's resources section.
Stoplight Prayer
Stuck at a stoplight? Try praying for the people you see around you. You do not even have to know their names or life situations!
Text Prayer
Consider texting a friend or family member each day to tell them what you're praying about. Maybe you can encourage them to do the same with you. Can you think of what is close and personal, and also what is going on in your larger community or the world?
Alternatively, consider writing out the words of a prayer and texting or emailing that prayer to the person you are praying for. This is similar to praying for someone out loud, except that they get a visual copy of your words of prayer that they can read over and over again if they'd like to.
Consider asking someone you trust to be your prayer partner. Meet together (in person, by phone, or by video conferencing) once every week, every two weeks, or every month to pray together. Be sure to discuss the confidentiality parameters you'll each uphold in regard to what you share.
Alternatively, or in addition, look into online prayer groups or prayer houses that you could engage with, such as those listed under this week's resources section.
Stoplight Prayer
Stuck at a stoplight? Try praying for the people you see around you. You do not even have to know their names or life situations!
Text Prayer
Consider texting a friend or family member each day to tell them what you're praying about. Maybe you can encourage them to do the same with you. Can you think of what is close and personal, and also what is going on in your larger community or the world?
Alternatively, consider writing out the words of a prayer and texting or emailing that prayer to the person you are praying for. This is similar to praying for someone out loud, except that they get a visual copy of your words of prayer that they can read over and over again if they'd like to.
Journal Your Thoughts!

What stood out to you from Podcast 5: Together in Prayer?
Write down your thoughts to process your learning! If you're not sure what to write about, consider the following:
Sometimes journaling is most helpful when it is completely private. If that feels like the best option for you, keep your journaling between you and God.
Sometimes journaling is most helpful when you give someone else the opportunity to witness and perhaps speak into your thoughts. If that feels like the best option for you, consider sharing your journal with a trusted friend, mentor, spiritual director, therapist, pastor, or family member, or email your journal entry to Sierra (either typed or a photo of what you've written by hand) for a brief reply.
Write down your thoughts to process your learning! If you're not sure what to write about, consider the following:
- Could you relate to any aspect of Sierra's experience of praying in small groups stirring up anxiety? What is your experience?
- Do you have experience praying regularly with someone one-on-one, like Andrea does? Are you grateful for anything in particular about that experience? Has anything made it challenging for you?
- Do you have any experiences with praying with or for other people moving away from what is appropriate, like Sierra and Andrea discuss?
- Andrea emphasizes that we need to "keep prayer holy." What does this mean to you?
- As you think back on your own experience praying with or for other people, is there anything you feel a need to confess to God?
- If you commute to work or drive to run errands, have you tried Andrea's idea of praying for other people when you get to a stoplight? What has that experience been like for you so far?
- Have you tried Sierra's idea of texting a friend or family member each day to tell them what you're praying about? What has that experience been like for you so far?
- Have you tried Andrea's idea of emailing or texting someone with a prayer you've written and are praying for them? What was that experience like for you?
- Did this podcast or your time reflecting and journaling stir up anything that you want to think about some more? If so, what?
- Did this podcast or your time reflecting and journaling stir up anything you feel God is wanting to say to you? If so, what?
Sometimes journaling is most helpful when it is completely private. If that feels like the best option for you, keep your journaling between you and God.
Sometimes journaling is most helpful when you give someone else the opportunity to witness and perhaps speak into your thoughts. If that feels like the best option for you, consider sharing your journal with a trusted friend, mentor, spiritual director, therapist, pastor, or family member, or email your journal entry to Sierra (either typed or a photo of what you've written by hand) for a brief reply.
About the Instructors

Sierra Neiman Westbrook, M.Div.
Founding Director of Eden Spiritual Care & Certified Spiritual Director
Sierra spent seven years working in the Christian publishing field before beginning eight years of teaching at George Fox University (writing, theology, and spiritual formation) and Portland Seminary (spiritual formation). A graduate of Portland Seminary, Sierra holds a Master of Divinity degree and a certificate in Spiritual Formation & Discipleship. She is also certified through Portland Seminary as a spiritual director. Sierra brings to her work a curiosity about how theology of lament, narrative pastoral care, and explorations of one's God image can enrich a person’s relationship with God. She also enjoys hiking, watching ballet performances, baking, writing, drinking lots of tea, and spending lots of time with her husband, Justin, and their young son.
Founding Director of Eden Spiritual Care & Certified Spiritual Director
Sierra spent seven years working in the Christian publishing field before beginning eight years of teaching at George Fox University (writing, theology, and spiritual formation) and Portland Seminary (spiritual formation). A graduate of Portland Seminary, Sierra holds a Master of Divinity degree and a certificate in Spiritual Formation & Discipleship. She is also certified through Portland Seminary as a spiritual director. Sierra brings to her work a curiosity about how theology of lament, narrative pastoral care, and explorations of one's God image can enrich a person’s relationship with God. She also enjoys hiking, watching ballet performances, baking, writing, drinking lots of tea, and spending lots of time with her husband, Justin, and their young son.

Andrea Catlett, MA
Andrea is a former pastor and has served a wide variety of ministries. She currently serves as a hospital chaplain. Through her education and experience, she has found prayer to be her constant calling. As a special needs mom and being disabled herself, she naturally advocates for those who need their voice heard in the healthcare system or simply a fellow friend.
Andrea is a former pastor and has served a wide variety of ministries. She currently serves as a hospital chaplain. Through her education and experience, she has found prayer to be her constant calling. As a special needs mom and being disabled herself, she naturally advocates for those who need their voice heard in the healthcare system or simply a fellow friend.