Lesson 6: Praying Without Ceasing, Even in Chaos
Podcast 6 Resources
Didn't take notes? We've got you covered! Here are the resources we mentioned in podcast 6.
From the Bible:
Apps:
Recordings/Videos:
Blogs:
Instagram:
From the Bible:
- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: ("...pray without ceasing...")
- Barton, Ruth Haley. Invitation to Retreat: The Gift and Necessity of Time Away with God. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2018.
- Bessey, Sarah (editor). A Rhythm of Prayer: A Collection of Meditations for Renewal. New York, NY: Convergent Books, 2020.
Apps:
- Bible (from YouVersion)
- Lectio 365
- Operation World
- Pray as You Go
- Second Breath
- Verses
Recordings/Videos:
Blogs:
- Bessey, Sarah. "Breath Prayers for Anxious Times." March 12, 2020.
Instagram:
Try It! (Prayer Podcast Suggestions from Podcast 6)
Praying without Ceasing
Jump ahead to the "Journal Your Thoughts!" section for some journal prompts that will help you explore the obstacles to prayer in your own life, and what God might want to say to you in response.
Also look over the resources listed and try one or more of the prayer apps Andrea recommends.
Remember to give some creative thought to what prayer can look like in the midst of your own real life. Does it have to look like sitting quietly with your hands folded and eyes closed for one hour each day? Or can you pray short prayers in the shower, at a stoplight, or while you're walking the dog or chopping potatoes for dinner? Do you need to be in a good mood to pray? Could partnership in prayer be helpful for you? Do your payers even need words?
Jump ahead to the "Journal Your Thoughts!" section for some journal prompts that will help you explore the obstacles to prayer in your own life, and what God might want to say to you in response.
Also look over the resources listed and try one or more of the prayer apps Andrea recommends.
Remember to give some creative thought to what prayer can look like in the midst of your own real life. Does it have to look like sitting quietly with your hands folded and eyes closed for one hour each day? Or can you pray short prayers in the shower, at a stoplight, or while you're walking the dog or chopping potatoes for dinner? Do you need to be in a good mood to pray? Could partnership in prayer be helpful for you? Do your payers even need words?
Journal Your Thoughts!
What stood out to you from Podcast 6: Praying Without Ceasing, Even in Chaos?
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:
- What do you think it means to pray continually or pray without ceasing?
- What do you think: Is it actually possible to have a life of prayer even when life is crazy?
- What real-life challenges make it difficult for you to pray?
- Pray about the real-life challenges that make it difficult for you to pray. Tell God why they seem like such big obstacles. Do you have any sense of God's loving response to you? Do you feel an invitation to accept grace? To realize how you're praying in ways you maybe didn't view as prayer before? To challenge yourself to be more intentional about prayer?
- If you were to commit to praying every day, what, realistically, could that look like for you?
- Have you found any prayer resources (like the apps Andrea uses) that are helpful for you? How have they been helpful?
- If you were to commit to a stepping out of the chaos for a short time every day, week, month, quarter, or year, what could that realistically look 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.
