Spiritual Fitness through Resiliency in our prayer lives Self-Leadership Spiritual Fitness through Resiliency in our prayer lives

Robert B. Neller, General USMC, Commandant of the Marine Corps R 031813Z Oct 16 “Research indicates that spiritual fitness plays a key role in resiliency, in our ability to grow, develop, recover, heal, and adopt.” “I ask each of you to reflect on what you… are doing to achieve and maintain an optimal level of strength and resilience.”

Definition of Resiliency Able to recover quickly from misfortune; able to return to original form after being bent, compressed, or stretched out of shape. A human ability to recover quickly from a disruptive change, or misfortune without being overwhelmed or acting in a dysfunctional or harmful way.

Two Pictures of resiliency model both the ability to: (1) Keep Going Two Pictures of resiliency model both the ability to: (1) Keep Going? or (2) Stand Firm

Table Talk Describe an example of resiliency in any area of your life? Examples: staying fit, bettering golf score, sticking with a budget, working on a relationship issue, prayer, regular Bible reading, etc. How are you maintaining resiliency? Describe an area where the ability to maintain resiliency was lost.

Building/maintaining spiritual resiliency Practices that Support Spiritual Resiliency—think of these practices as a spotter in the gym or scaffolding. Supports that build an ongoing active relationship with Jesus. This is more than “check-the-block” prayers.

Supporting strength building and resiliency

practices for building Spiritual Resiliency An ongoing relationship with Jesus Worship Involvement in a small group Prayer and personal time in God’s Word.

One Practice (Spotter/Scaffold) to build resiliency is through using prayer to regularly examine our lives. (It is available 24/7)

prayer as spiritual examination to build resiliency

Psalm 46 1-3: Nature’s threats 6: The nations are in turmoil 10: But, we are told to be quiet before God.“ Be still and know that I am God!”

Being still before God as resiliency building using a review prayer Designate a specific amount of time when alert and not responsible to respond—set a timer (Start with two minutes.) Have a location to meet with God—in your car before/after the commute, in the bathroom, etc. Start with a short Bible passage—”Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be Your Name,” or Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God.” Find a favorite.

Being still before God as resiliency building through prayer In prayer review your day by examining two extremes. Two examples: (1) when did I feel most alive and when did I feel most drained? (2) what were today’s high points and what were today’s low points. Make these your conversations or journal notes with Jesus.

Being still before God as resiliency building through prayer: other examples For what moment today I am most grateful; for what moment am I least grateful? What was today’s high point; what was today’s low point? When today did I feel the greatest sense of God’s presence; when did I least sense His presence?

Being still before God as resiliency building through prayer Being still before God as resiliency building through prayer. An Example when you felt most alive Focus on the fact that Jesus is with you. “Be still and know.” In His presence mention (silently, audible or in writing) the moment you felt most alive and why. “Lord Jesus, thanks for these few moments alone with You. Today when I hit the send button on that project I felt so alive and in control and and really felt that You had guided me through all the stages.” Let those words and that moment soak in.

Being still before God as resiliency building through prayer Being still before God as resiliency building through prayer. An Example when you felt most drained 2. Focus on the fact that Jesus is with you. In His presence mention (silently, audible or in writing) the moment you felt most drained and why. “Lord Jesus, thanks for expecting me to be honest with you even in this moment. My reaction to Ben’s grades were all wrong. I hurt our relationship. Give me an opportunity to seek forgiveness. Give courage. Help me learn from my mistake. Thank You for accepting me.” Focus on Bible passages that describe how Jesus hears you. (I John 1:9—If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Being still before God as resiliency building through prayer Being still before God as resiliency building through prayer. Conclusion This support/scaffold keeps us from giving up on prayer or seeing prayer as “another” obligation. The support/scaffold helps us pay attention and be real in our praying. This is to a two-way conversation. Speaking and listening

Being still before God as resiliency building through prayer Being still before God as resiliency building through prayer. Our request/Prayer “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV)