Prayer: A Divine Conversation…
On January 1, 1995, I wrote one goal in my journal: “I want to learn to be a better pray-er.”
My favorite definition of prayer is simply:
Prayer is a conversation with God.
Skilled conversationalists know any meaningful conversation consists of two components: speaking and listening.
Since I made that new year goal, the Holy Spirit has been teaching me how to speak and listen to God in a variety of ways that are consistent with my unique God design.
At times, the Spirit has used the insight and experience of others to teach me.
Other times, learning has been through what I call ‘divine discovery,’ which may occur:
while reading the Bible, struck by a particular verse or passage;
when roused from sleep with a profound God-awareness;
as a deep ‘knowing’ bubbles up within my spirit;
while listening to a song or sermon;
when driving in a car, taking a walk, soaking in the bathtub; or putzing around the kitchen.
One of my major prayer discoveries was writing prayers in a journal. At first, this felt strange. Gradually, though, I discovered liberty in prayer when I took pen in hand and wrote from my heart.
In addition, I found great richness in written prayers found in Scripture, from ancient writers, in liturgy, or by contemporary Christians who are gifted with words.
In 2014, I was introduced to contemplative spiritual practices, including silent prayer, which is helping me learn to be a better listener in conversations with God.
For the past nine months, I have been involved in an intensive spiritual direction activity during which I was introduced to yet another method of prayer called colloquy.
I’m somewhat of a ‘word nerd,’ but I was unfamiliar with this word:
Colloquy
Pronunced ˈkäləˌkwē and meaning an intentional conversation
If you like to write out prayers, you may want to try this method.
After reading slowly and thoughtfully a specific passage of scripture—with heartfelt worship and gratitude—write an individual prayer to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit. I’ve been pleasantly pleased at how my appreciation for the Trinity has deepened as a result of using the colloquy as a meaningful method of prayer.
Whatever prayer method works best for you, I hope you’ll join me in deepening our divine conversations…
