prayer – Page 7 – 300 words a day

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

Portable routines

As much as I love the idea of routines, I admit that I struggle to follow through with the routines that I know will help me. Here are some of the struggles from recent weeks: When you are out of your routine surroundings, what are the prompts that will remind you of your habits? If […]

by Jon Swanson

13 ways to be more like Jesus

Learn what he said. It seems obvious, but I need to say it. Do the things he said to do. Like any good teacher, the learning often happens by practicing, not just listening. Too often we expect perfection. Perhaps he didn’t. At first. Do things the way he did them. How did he live his […]

by Jon Swanson

A prayer for Monday.

(First published October 8, 2012) It happens every Monday morning. Every Monday is a restart of our pilgrimage. Every Monday we say, “I want this week to be different. I want to be more committed, more caring, more thoughtful, more loving, more focused, more significant, more successful.” And then we open our eyes. And shuffle […]