Contemplative Prayer, Journaling and The Upper Room Living Prayer Center October 22, 2013 Interpreter A Ministry of United Methodist Communications

Hosts The Rev. Tom Albin The Rev. Kathy Noble Interpreter A Ministry of United Methodist Communications

The Upper Room, Interpreter Magazine, Webinars and other resources, “Lord, Teach Us to Pray” Interpreter A Ministry of United Methodist Communications

Participants The Rev. Daniel Wolpert The Rev. Judy Shepherd Migdiel Pérez Interpreter A Ministry of United Methodist Communications

5 Conversation 1: Why Pray? Interpreter A Ministry of United Methodist Communications

6 Why Pray? Migdiel Pérez, director, Living Prayer Center  Prayer is connecting with God, it gives me spiritual energy to live my life  Intercessory prayer is my favorite way to pray  Prayer journal with date of the request and date of the answer  Helps us remember the faithfulness of God as we review it Interpreter A Ministry of United Methodist Communications

7 Why Pray? Judy Shepherd, RN, pastor, Jennings Chapel UMC, Northport, Ala.  Prayer is our primary way to connect with God.  It includes listening and silence.  Example: holding hands with God as I walk through the day  Experience: Tongsung Kido (Korean way to pray aloud and altogether Interpreter A Ministry of United Methodist Communications

8 Why Pray? Daniel Wolpert, author, pastor and director, Minnesota Institute of Contemplation and Healing  An active relationship with God  Example: married couple who communicate daily about all aspects of life  Experience: “people are hungry for a deeper life of prayer and encounter with the living God” Interpreter A Ministry of United Methodist Communications

9 Conversation 2: Contemplative Prayer and Journaling Interpreter A Ministry of United Methodist Communications

10 Contemplative Prayer Creates a deeper awareness of:  Self  God Increases our attentiveness to God Contemplation, meditation and centering prayer are related means to an authentic life in God Interpreter A Ministry of United Methodist Communications

11 Contemplative Prayer The Lord’s Prayer can be  Recitation without contemplation; or,  Deeply contemplative  The attention, intention, and practice makes all the difference Interpreter A Ministry of United Methodist Communications

12 Contemplative Prayer Why the growing interest?  Work of the Holy Spirit  Spiritual hunger  Need to recovery from the self- centeredness of Modernism  Other Interpreter A Ministry of United Methodist Communications

13 Prayer & Journaling Another ancient practice gaining renewed interest Honesty is essential Find a teacher/mentor/guide Writing in the presence of God is a prayerful act Interpreter A Ministry of United Methodist Communications

14 Prayer & Journaling My journal is my prayer. I experience God as I write. Sometimes I write to God, sometimes I write with God, sometimes God writes to me. I journal regularly — it is a means of grace — one among many. Interpreter A Ministry of United Methodist Communications

15 Discussion These practices help us to bring our whole self to a Holy God. Diversity is a result of the creativity of God, explore it and enjoy it. Focus on God, relationship and attentiveness are essential. Answers and insight follow. Interpreter A Ministry of United Methodist Communications

16 Discussion Engage your whole self: body, mind and spirit Gratitude Breath in the love and life of God, breath out anxiety, fear, and doubt Interpreter A Ministry of United Methodist Communications

17 Conversation 3: The Living Prayer Center of The Upper Room Interpreter A Ministry of United Methodist Communications

18 Living Prayer Center Exists to help people learn and practice intercessory prayer Offers the love of God to all who call 800 telephone calls per day The United Methodist Men an important partner Interpreter A Ministry of United Methodist Communications

19 Living Prayer Center Prayer requests come from all over the world via  Letters  Telephone  Worldwide web Volunteers participate those ways. Volunteers needed Interpreter A Ministry of United Methodist Communications

20 Living Prayer Center We say “living” prayer center because we began as a telephone-based ministry. The connection was “live.” The telephone allows volunteers from all over the United States and Canada to pray with the callers from 7 a.m. to 11p.m. (CT) Interpreter A Ministry of United Methodist Communications

Prayer Resources — Books Daniel Wolpert, Creating a Life with God Daniel Wolpert, Leading a Life with God Rueben P. Job, et.al, A Guide to Prayer for All Who Walk with God (UR, 2013) J. David Muyskens, Sacred Breath: 40 Days of Centering Prayer 21 Interpreter A Ministry of United Methodist Communications

Prayer Resources — Online Living Prayer Center: Interpreter A Ministry of United Methodist Communications

Living Prayer Center now on Facebook 1,578 followers and growing Interpreter A Ministry of United Methodist Communications

The Upper Room Living Prayer Center P. O. Box , Nashville TN Phone: , ext Fax: Interpreter A Ministry of United Methodist Communications

Next Webinar “Creating Sacred Spaces and Praying with Our Senses” Thursday, Nov. 14, at 7 PM CST Register at 25 Interpreter A Ministry of United Methodist Communications