Prayer Team
ALWAYS AVAILABLE. ALWAYS CONFIDENTIAL.
It doesn’t have to be
the blue iris, it could be
weeds in a vacant lot, or a few
small stones; just
pay attention, then patch
a few words together and don’t try
to make them elaborate, this isn’t
a contest but the doorway
into thanks, and a silence in which
another voice may speak.
(from Mary Oliver’s book of poems, Thirst)
WHAT IS PRAYER?
A very important question that is not always easy to answer …. “It depends on who you ask,” as some might say. Prayer is, at its core, a conversation between a group or an individual and the Divine. Prayer is not unique to the Judeo-Christian tradition but exists, in some form, in nearly every culture on the planet. Our desire to communicate with God is nearly universal, to speak with God about our challenges and joys and to listen as the Divine speaks back. Many believe it is not only possible but essential to have a relationship with God built on prayer, an echo of our yearning for God’s love and possibility that is offered to us by the Divine Light. Prayer may come from a Prayer Book, a poem, or be an outpouring of our own heart’s imagination. We hope that you will find our link on prayer useful and, perhaps, discover a little bit more of what prayer might be for you on this earthly journey with God.
​
- Rev. George Roberts
PRAYER REQUEST
We welcome your requests for individual or group concerns and we pray daily for those on our prayer list. We maintain each request for two weeks and extend that time if asked to do so.
​
A Prayer Request can be made by using the form below.
PRAYERS FOR AT HOME
WHAT PRAYER MEANS TO US
Prayer is a time for me to be still, to reflect, and to connect with God. It provides me with a space to be authentic and vulnerable. It is also a time for me to connect with my children, as we recite the Lord’s Prayer together before bedtime.
Wow. That is quite a powerful question. I guess I would have to say that prayer for me begins with the acknowledgement that God is always with me. “I am in God as the fish are in the sea.” Therefore, prayer is lifting my thoughts, both consciously and unconsciously, to this Presence.
I find prayer problematic. When I pray, I deliberately try to communicate with the Divine. This can be verbal and formal when I’m using words found in a text (e.g. BCP, Bible) or signing a hymn or nonverbal such as following a ritual practice, using the sign of the cross, or attending a house of worship designed for prayer. It can be in dance and other arts. It can be an informal conversation. While I understand the BCP and Bible are tools to help us get in the right mind set, I do not see a line between prayer and conversation.
I have trouble with the conviction that it is possible to address the Divine AND that the Divine can and will respond. I do not have trouble believing and thinking that I can address the Divine. No one and nothing can stop me. I have trouble with expecting the Divine to respond. Since the beginning of human beings, billions of human beings have communicated with the spirit world. I wonder how many asked for something and got it. The Divine’s batting average is probably pretty low. It is presumptive to believe that the Divine can be influenced. I also do not believe the Divine is fickle and selective, that is, some prayers are answered and some are not. I also don’t believe in the concept of the “chosen people” but that is a discussion for another time.
​
I have been deeply influenced by the Roman Catholic tradition, even though I have been a practicing Episcopalian longer than a practicing Roman Catholic. I grew up understanding (or so educated) that prayer was the way to experience something Divine. Prayer involves contemplation and meditation. Meditation is the physical part of getting the body and mind engaged to enable contemplation. Contemplation is to experience something Divine. I know I have prayed when I experience something Divine. I do not expect that something to be something for which I have asked.
Prayer for me is a way to communicate with God on many levels:
​
To thank him for the many blessings in my life which are innumerable.
​
To seek comfort and healing for a specific, special someone in need of his grace.
​
To ask for his all-encompassing guidance, healing and comfort to ALL those in the world in need of his grace.
​
To ask him to forgive my many sins and to help me be a better Christian.
​
To ask him to be with someone (or me) as they go through a very difficult time or situation.
​
To let him know that I love him and so glad that he's part of my life.
Prayer brings me peace and confidence.
Prayer is my way of having a conversation with God.
Prayer is a way of communicating with God, through a conversation, that connects me with Him. It’s a time that allows me to remove myself from the daily noise and quiets my mind to invite Him and His power down to earth into my life. Also , listening to that “ small voice” that directs my life according to His will. Prayer allows me to give thanks for ALL He has provided for me and to also ask for intercession for others. In short , for me , Prayer is a continuous growing relationship with God.
I start each day with three prayers while I walk the dog: The Prayer of Jabez which specifically askes God to bless my family, expand our territory, and protect us from evil - so it is completely a "request" prayer, then I pray the Lord's Prayer, and then I have a conversation with God thanking him, giving him glory and then ask for healing and protection or giving thanks for specific people/events. Throughout all of these, praying allows me to focus on the presence of God in my life and the wonderful forgiveness that Jesus brought to us all. At the end of the walk I am full of thankfulness and hope with a renewed sense of the presence of Jesus in my life. At that point, I am ready to take on the world!! :)