A) The Psalms are the great prayer book of the Bible. Have each person in your group read one of the following passages. What feelings or emotions are expressed? When might this psalm be helpful in a persons life?
B) Assign one of the following passages to each person in the group. What does each passage tell us about prayer?
C) Read Matthew 6.9-13 where Jesus teaches his disciples the "Lords Prayer." Note that Jesus says, "Pray in this way...," not, "Pray these words." What are some dynamics in the Lords Prayer that you will want to employ in your own prayers?
EXERCISE 1: Try a "Palms down, palms up" prayer. Begin by placing your palms down as a symbolic indication of your desire to turn over any concerns you may have to God. Whatever it is that is bothering you or weighing you down, silently turn it over to God. Next, turn your palms up as a symbol of your desire to receive from the Lord. Ask for whatever you think you need. Finally, end with a time of inner silence, simply letting the Lord commune with you, to love you. (Cf. Foster, Celebration, 30-31.)
EXERCISE 2: Have everyone in your group match up by twos, threes, or fours. Give each mini-group a page or two from todays local newspaper. In their newspaper page(s), each mini-group should choose one prayer concern pertaining to the world, our nation, our community, and an individual. Together as a full group, the leader will begin praying, and as each of the four topics is raised, let a person from each mini-group add their petition.
EXERCISE 3: Have each person in the group cut a sheet of paper into six strips. On one side of each strip, each person should write their name. On the other side, write one of these words on each strip: WORLD, NATION, COMMUNITY, CHURCH, FAMILY, SELF. These words correspond to these questions:
- WORLD: What do you think is the biggest problem facing our world today?
- NATION: What is something going on in our nation today that concerns you?
- COMMUNITY: What is happening in our community that you wish would be different?
- CHURCH: How does your church make a positive impact?
- FAMILY: Who in your family is experiencing some difficulty and could use some support?
- SELF: What is something that would help make your life better?
Now, let each person exchange a slip with someone else in the group. Interview each other and note the answer to the questions. Do this with each question slip. Next, as a full group, pray for one person at a time letting those people holding a persons slips each offer petitions on that persons behalf.
Richard J. Foster, Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth (Harper, 1998)
Paul Sponheim, Primer on Prayer