The word "examen" means to find the true weight or an accurate measurement of things. The Examen helps develop an awareness of God's presence in our lives.

Conversational Prayer is like sharing your story with a dear friend through talking, listening, connecting and surrendering to God.

A labyrinth is a spiritual tool – a path for prayer or walking meditation. There is no right or wrong way to “walk” a labyrinth; it has only one path that leads the seeker to the center and back out the way they entered.

This method of prayer is both a relationship with God and a discipline to foster that relationship” (Pennington). Prayer is our most basic spiritual discipline. God calls us away from earthly voices to sit in God’s holy presence. 

In times of war, soldiers stay connected with their loved ones by writing letters home. Troops could say “I love you” and “I miss you” in those personal notes. Writing to God is similar to those letters. Since the Lord is our true home, we continue saying, "I love you," but we can also add our sincere cries for help when we write to God.

Praying in Color is meaningful whether there is brief time available or ample space for silence. Former math professor, Sybil MacBeth, developed her love of doodling and drawing as a unique path to prayer. She recognized that she could use her love of mathematics to embrace an “artistic display of numbers and symbols,” while doodling. Perhaps the most common method of prayer in the protestant church is with eyes closed. However, the practice of Praying in Color connects one’s eyes, hands and heart.

Beginning in Psalms Chapter 1, we find guidance to meditate on God, “Blessed is the one … whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on (God’s) law day and night.” How, then, shall we pray? What are the words we use to talk to God? The Psalms teach us guidance. Over the next 31 days, we invite you to pray the Psalms; use a complete Psalm as a prayer or choose snippets of Psalms as brief breath prayers.

In praying the parables this August, we can see where we might find ourselves within these Biblical stories. Praying in the parables helps us understand how Jesus wanted us to treat others and act according to the urgency of the coming kingdom.

This month, Second-Ponce is writing gratitude notes to staff and lay leaders. While email and text messages are excellent ways to say thank you, there is nothing like receiving an unexpected card. Beginning with a blank page, we tell our own story of joy. Thinking about how to “write your heart out” is a good approach for planning messages of gratitude.

Sunday, October 15 | After Worship | Sandwiches & snacks available in the Fellowship Hall before the walk 

October 15, we'll pray together for our church, city and neighbors during a churchwide prayer walk. After worship, stop by the Fellowship Hall for finger sandwiches and snacks and then embark on one of the three prayer opportunities: Outside route, inside route or in a stationary experience on the Plaza.

Anne Lamott, a NYT bestselling author, captures the spirit of our most basic prayers in her book, “Help, Thanks, Wow: The Three Essential Prayers.” She offers relatable insights into the ways we reach for God.