prayer – Page 5 – 300 words a day

What I will do.

In my journal the other day I wrote, “runners run” It was October 9. I hadn’t run for a couple days. I was a little achy. I was hesitant. But I knew that what runners do is run. More than talking about it, more than reading about it, more than worrying about it. They run. […]

by Jon Swanson

What I mean when I say pray.

(first published September 12, 2007) I have had some people ask me to pray for them recently. I’ve told some other people that I am praying for them. I realized that I probably better tell you what I am doing when I agree or offer to pray. After all, it could be dangerous. ————– Picture a […]

by Jon Swanson

From strength to strength

The mom of my friend died the other afternoon. We talked together a few hours before. He knew it was coming. He was anticipating the arrangements, the conversations, the travel. He was feeling weary. I knew the feeling. Some of you do, too. A couple hours before we met, I had been reading a prayer. […]

by Jon Swanson

Examining examen, part two

Back to examen. Next, Barton says, look back through the day for evidence of God’s presence. In my rush to the next conversation or agenda item or project, I forget what happens in my day. And I’ve struggled with examen for this reason. I’m afraid to go back and look. But on this night, as […]

by Jon Swanson

David found strength in the Lord his God.

“But David found strength in the Lord his God.” It’s a simple sentence near the end of 1 Samuel. It’s easy to skip over because of what comes before it. “David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters.” This was one of the worst […]