My colleagues take Monday off, and I am the only one in the office. I carve out some time to step back and reflect on the week, on ministry in this place and on anything I may be guided to in the future.
I was recently given this book, a collection of prayers for daily devotion and for special seasons.
But this is no ordinary prayer book. The daily prayers draw on Christian figures as well as important dates in the struggle for freedom and justice. There is a litany to honor women and prayers on the death of someone killed in the neighborhood.
Some people find praying difficult - particularly praying in front of groups. When I ask church members to pray at a meeting or program, I often see a deer-in-the-headlights look staring right back at me."I'm not good at praying," they protest or "I don't really know how to pray." If we are honest, none of us feels adequate to approach God.
There are no "good" or "bad" prayers. Prayer is different than anything else we do. Fundamentally, prayer is communication with God. Unlike sermons which can be critiqued or meeting minutes which can have errors, prayer is not about us; it is the only time when we turn our attention solely toward God.
I have found Common Prayer and other devotional materials helpful to guide my quiet Mondays. When it comes to praying in front of people, nothing makes it easier than a lively prayer life.
What is your quiet time? How do you like to pray? If you need a little nudge to get started, consider this your nudge. Explore what a life spent in prayer means to you.