Looking Above - Episode 64 - Prayer of Rest

Episode 64 - Prayer of Rest

02/14/24 • 53 min

In this episode, Brooklyn and Karen discuss a form of prayer that you may have never considered, the prayer of rest. In this form of prayer, we enter into the stillness of God’s presence and learn to be with Him. It is a prayer of entering into Sabbath rest by letting go of distractions and becoming increasingly aware of God’s presence. This form of prayer strips us of our need to be productive and teaches us a new trust in God. After listening to this podcast, find a friend or small group and use these questions to continue the discussion:

Prior to this spring, what “forms” of prayer were you familiar with? What type of prayers were you most apt to pray?
Are there certain types of prayer that feel more or less comfortable to you? (like love languages)
Have you ever prayed “genie” prayers, expecting God to grant your wishes? What is the faulty view of God that underlies these prayers?
Have you ever prayed “vending machine” prayers, trying to figure out the “exact change” needed to get the object of your desire? What is the faulty view of God underlying these prayers?
How does the prayer of rest begin to free us from bondage to wrong views of God and thus change our prayers?
Read Psalm 40:1, 4 How does the prayer of rest build trust?
Why are we prone to activity instead of waiting on God?
Have you been able to achieve a place of stillness and focus and listening in prayer? What has been helpful to you? What have the benefits of that time been in your life?
Make a commitment to attempt the prayer of rest each day this week. If you have never done this before, start small (a few minutes). Tell your group what you are committing to. Keep trying, even if you struggle to stay still or quiet.

Prior to this spring, what “forms” of prayer were you familiar with? What type of prayers were you most apt to pray?
Are there certain types of prayer that feel more or less comfortable to you? (like love languages)
Have you ever prayed “genie” prayers, expecting God to grant your wishes? What is the faulty view of God that underlies these prayers?
Have you ever prayed “vending machine” prayers, trying to figure out the “exact change” needed to get the object of your desire? What is the faulty view of God underlying these prayers?
How does the prayer of rest begin to free us from bondage to wrong views of God and thus change our prayers?
Read Psalm 40:1, 4 How does the prayer of rest build trust?
Why are we prone to activity instead of waiting on God?
Have you been able to achieve a place of stillness and focus and listening in prayer? What has been helpful to you? What have the benefits of that time been in your life?
Make a commitment to attempt the prayer of rest each day this week. If you have never done this before, start small (a few minutes). Tell your group what you are committing to. Keep trying, even if you struggle to stay still or quiet.

Previous Episode

Episode 63 - Praying the Ordinary

In this episode, Brooklyn and Karen chat about Praying the Ordinary. Karen starts by laying a foundation for the understanding that sacred and secular are intertwined. Brooklyn then shares three ways of praying the ordinary and explains how even our work can become prayer. This episode is sure to get you thinking about the intersection of faith and life and our need to be more aware of God’s presence in all things.

After listening, we encourage you to use these questions to continue the conversation with a friend or small group:

Draw a diagram of your relational spheres. How many spheres are you juggling?
How do you “change” when you enter the different spheres? Can you recognize the toll it takes on you to manage these transitions from one sphere to the next?
Do you put God in His own sphere? How often do you think about the fact that God is with you at all times? What might be the results of living with God in a box?
How does your life change in the times when you are more aware that God’s presence goes with you throughout your day?
Have you ever thought of your work (your vocation, your chores, your volunteering) as prayer? How does this concept change the way you work?
Have you ever spent a day looking for God in the midst of the ordinary? Where did He show up? As you have practiced the prayer of Examen, where have you seen His presence in your week?
How does looking for God in life's ordinary experiences change how we live?
We can pray the ordinary by praying amidst the mundane parts of our day. What things are catalysts for prayer in your ordinary life?
How will you implement the Prayer of the Ordinary in the coming week?

Next Episode

Episode 65 - Intercessory Prayer

This week Brooklyn and Karen tackle the topic of intercession. Through intercessory prayer, we enter into the battle with another. We help each other bear burdens by praying. They dive into what it means to pray “in Jesus’ name” and how that relates to authority and abiding. Get ready, because this is an exciting task that has been set before us as we have all been called to intercede.

Jesus is our Great High Priest (see Hebrews 4:14-16). What does that mean in regards to our prayers?
Our prayers affect things. Does it excite you or scare you to know that you can partner with God? Have you considered the fact that our prayers are powerful or that you have authority?
What does it mean to pray in Jesus’ name?
We are hoping to affect the life of someone else, but every time we pray, we are being changed. How has prayer changed you?
Listening and abiding are vital elements to intercessory prayer. How are you doing at abiding?
1 Peter 2:5 tells us we are all priests. Intercession is for all of us. Who is it easiest to intercede for?
Intercession often means we pray for the long haul. How can you discipline yourself to persist? How can you encourage each other to persist?
Can you tell a story of a time when someone’s prayers on your behalf affected your life?
Share a prayer request and commit to praying for each other this week.
Get brave and pray for each other before you leave your time together.