Praying in the Messiness of Life: 7 Ways to Renew Your Relationship with God

by Linda Douty

Overview

How can you find more time for prayer when life keeps you on the run? Maybe the answer is easier than you think.

In Praying in the Messiness of Life, Linda Douty encourages you to incorporate prayer into your daily life as it is, rather than trying to find more time to pray. Her fresh ideas for weaving prayer into each day will help you connect with God even in the messiness of life.You will feel closer to God and better able to cope with your circumstances.

Spiritual director and author Jane E. Vennard says, "With the words 'God is more interested in our growth than our guilt,' Linda Douty leads us on an exciting journey of learning to pray as we can, not as we can't. Her stories, prayer suggestions, and reflection questions offer heartfelt and practical ways to stretch open our lives of prayer and help us renew and deepen our relationship with God."

A great resource for individual or group study. Includes reflection questions and a group guide (with options for a 5- or 9-week study or a prayer retreat).

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780835810418
Publisher:	The Upper Room
Publication date:	03/01/2011
Pages:	114
Sales rank:	1,075,788
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Linda Douty is the author of three books; Praying in the Messiness of Life: 7 Ways to Renew Your Relationship with God, How Can I Let Go If I Don't Know I'm Holding On?-Setting Our Souls Free, and How Can I See the Light When It's So Dark?-Journey to a Thankful Heart. A book reviewer, retreat leader, and spiritual director, Linda also leads workshops on topics ranging from aging and personal growth to spiritual formation. She lives in Memphis, Tennessee.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments 9

Preface 11

Introduction: Breaking Out of the Prayer Box 15

1 Praying with the Body 25

Labyrinth

Companion Walk

Syncopated Steps

Revelation Walk

Soaking Prayer

Exercise

Hands

For Reflection

2 Praying with the Breath 35

Breath Prayer

Pause Prayer

Release Prayer

Bedtime Breath Prayer

Prayer of Compassion

For Reflection

3 Praying with the Mind 43

Intentional Thought Prayer

Praying with Scripture

Scripture Memory Verse

Journaling

Mindfulness

Creativity

Affirmative Prayer

For Reflection

4 Praying with the Senses 53

Stroll for Your Soul

See

Hear

Touch

Smell

Taste

Praying of Distraction

For Reflection

5 Praying with Silence 61

Centering Prayer

Be-Still-and Know Prayer

Sitting in Solitude

Teach Me to Be Silent

Prayer of Silent Union

Prayer for the Silent

Prayer after Silent Prayer

For Reflection

6 Praying with the Surroundings 71

Parable Prayer

Prayer of Presence

The Teaching of the Trees

Sacred Space

For Reflection

7 Praying with the Circumstances 77

Preparation Prayer

Transition Prayer

Intercessory Prayer

Hospital Prayer

What's Happening Prayer

Listening as Prayer

"It Is as It Is" Prayer

For Reflection

Epilogue: Praying with Your Life 87

Appendix: Guidelines for Group Use 95

Notes 109

About the Author 111

Editorial Reviews

With the words "God is more interested in our growth than our guilt," Linda Douty leads us on an exciting journey of learning to pray as we can, not as we can't. Her stories, prayer suggestions, and reflection questions offer heartfelt and practical ways to stretch open our lives of prayer and help us renew and deepen our relationship with God.

The Reverend Jane E. Vennard, spiritual director and author, Praying with Body and Soul



From the Publisher