prayer – Page 8 – 300 words a day

Prayer and a paper carrier story.

My friend sent me an email. “This is hard for me, to be quiet and still. I feel like my prayer life is like a paper route. I lob prayers to God, much like the paper carrier lobs papers down the street, but I keep moving, and forget to listen for the response. The paper […]

by Jon Swanson

Listening for Lent.

[This continues a conversation started yesterday] “That’s a great summary,” I said. “Lent is about talking and listening to God.” “But isn’t there more?” he asked. “Why do we always hear about Lent as a time for giving things up? When I was growing up, my friend always gave up watermelon and black licorice. Of […]

by Jon Swanson

A prayer of Paul’s

First published January 29, and one of a number of posts on Colossians this year. Part of my review series. “I’ve never seen you. But I pray for you all the time.” That’s what Paul said to a small church in a small town called Colossae. “We have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may […]

by Jon Swanson

What does God want from prayer?

I was reading about a conversation Jesus had with a woman from Samaria. In this conversation, Jesus speaks seven times, the woman speaks six. Jesus speaks first, asking her to do him a favor. Each time she speaks, it feels like a diversion, a change of subjects. Each time he speaks, it is a response […]

by Jon Swanson

Morning prayer for people who feel the burden of leading

He was alone. I mean, he was surrounded by colleagues and dependents, allies and offspring. But up before dawn, he was alone. David was in the desert. His to-do list today, like every day, was simple. Six important things. find water avoid Saul find food avoid Saul find grass for flocks avoid Saul. If he […]