PRAYER is the word we use to describe talking with God. Sometimes we might imagine prayer like being on one end of a telephone, dialing an unknown number that connects far away or up in the clouds. The connection might be scratchy and sometimes we find ourselves shouting, “can you hear me now?” as we change position, shouting into the phone hoping that God will hear how we’re doing. The problem with this image of prayer is that it assumes God doesn’t know what’s happening until you call. The image also suggests that God will continue not to know what’s happening if the call drops or the line get fuzzy.
If prayer is a matter of wishfully hoping that God can hear as we wonder if we’ve said the magic words to get God to listen, then we’ve presumed God is distant, detached, and wholly unaware of what is happening on the ground and in our lives. Prayer is then reduced to summary headlines and soundbites of the troubles, griefs, and hopes that come to us daily – news that we hope God tuned in for at some point.
Yet, this is not God’s way. Scripture shares how we can expect to see, hear, feel, and know that God is not far away at an unknown address, but close. God is next to you, experiencing your day alongside you in real time and with real care.
Download the complete Faith & Prayer Overview PDF
Download the 2019 Diocesan Cycle of Prayer
The Way of Love
Practices for a Jesus-Centered Life
Presiding Bishop Curry has invited the whole church to take up The Way of Love, a “rule of life” focused on practices for Jesus-Centered Life. Visit www.episcopalchurch.org/explore-way-love to find out more about engaging The Way of Love, developing and following a rule of life, walking with others, the Jesus Movement, and more.
For centuries, monastic communities have shaped their lives around rhythms and disciplines for following Jesus together. Such a pattern is known as a “Rule of Life.” The Way of Love: Practices for Jesus-Centered Life outlines a Rule for the Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement.
It is designed to be spare and spacious, so that individuals, ministry groups, congregations, and networks can flesh it out in unique ways and build a church-wide treasure trove of stories and resources. There is no specific order you need to follow. If you already keep a Rule or spiritual disciplines, you might reflect and discover how that path intersects with this one. By entering into reflection, discernment and commitment around the practices of Turn – Learn – Pray – Worship – Bless – Go – Rest, we will grow as communities following the loving, liberating, life-giving way of Jesus. His way has the power to change each of our lives and to change this world.
Faith & Prayer Online Resources
Christian and Episcopal Belief
What We Believe – A summary of the primary beliefs of The Episcopal Church. (episcopalchurch.org/what-we-believe)
Explorefaith.org – Answers, essays, and devotions for anyone interested in exploring spiritual issues. (explorefaith.org)
The Bible
DailyLectio – Direct link to the daily readings of the Revised Common Lectionary. (dailylectio.net)
The Lectionary Page – Liturgical calendar with links to the lessons for Sundays and Holy Days (from the Revised Common Lectionary). (lectionarypage.net)
Bible Study Tools – Online Bible, commentaries, Bible study resources, prayers, sermon illustrations, and more. (biblestudytools.com)
The Bible Project – Teachings about books and themes of the Bible delivered via brief animated videos and more in-depth podcast conversations. (thebibleproject.com)
The Text This Week – Lectionary and Bible based resources for study and worship. (textweek.com)
Prayer
The (Online) Book of Common Prayer – The primary services of the Episcopal Church, psalms, prayers, and historical documents. (bcponline.org)
The Daily Office from Mission St. Clare – A framework for prayer throughout the day, either individually or as a community. (missionstclare.com)
The Forward Day by Day Meditation – Daily meditation on Scripture and the opportunity to share your reflections on it. (prayer.forwardmovement.org)
Anglican Prayer Beads – Pray using “virtual” prayer beads. (kingofpeace.org/prayerbeads/trisagion.htm)
Discipleship
Building Faith – Articles, seasonal resources, and toolkits for disciples of all ages (a ministry of Virginia Theological Seminary). (buildfaith.org)
Grow Christians – Reflections, images, and stories aimed at nurturing disciples in the practice of their faith at home. (growchristians.org)
The Restoration Project – Structure that reframes and reworks ancient spiritual wisdom for today’s disciples. (therestorationproject.net)