Blog
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‘Meeting with God through the Bible’ by Lynne Cole: 7 Ways to Pray blog series
What a moving post by Lynne! I love how she shares her experiment with one of the prayer exercises in 7 Ways to Pray, and the difference that it’s been making as she meets with God. Maybe you could give this practice a go? I’m a busy mum to 5 children – the youngest of…
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‘Let us pray’ by Matt McChlery: 7 Ways to Pray blog series
Sometimes we get hung up on the mechanics of prayer – are we doing it right and what if we can’t find the right words to say. Matt assures us that God loves to hear from us, whatever words we use. I think you’ll be encouraged by his post, so please read on… Just before…
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Abiding in the Vine: Praying with John 15
How can we pray with Scripture, trusting that God will meet us through his word? One time-tested practice, about which I write in 7 Ways to Pray, is lectio divina. That’s a bit of jargon but it’s simply Latin for sacred reading (or prayerful reading). It’s a four-step process that helps us to slow down…
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“Now or Never: Desperately Depending on God in Prayer” by Ruth Clemence: 7 Ways to Pray blog series
How can we turn to God when we face challenges of many kinds? Ruth writes powerfully out of the depth of painful experiences through which she clung onto God, perhaps sometimes by her fingertips. I’m so grateful for how she’s shared and trust you’ll benefit from her grace-filled words. Prayer is serious business with God.…
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“Pray Without Ceasing” by Gayl Wright: 7 Ways to Pray blog series
How can we pray all the time? Gayl‘s post bursts with ideas of how to keep the conversation with God going throughout the day. I think you‘ll enjoy and benefit from reading her thoughts… Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks;for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18…
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An Interview with the Artist of Celebrating Christmas
That is, Amy talks with her dad! Join us in my dad’s art studio that he built behind their home in Minnesota, where he talks through some of the paintings that made it into Celebrating Christmas – and some that didn’t. Celebrating Christmas available for purchase now – makes a lovely Christmas gift, perhaps even…
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“Prayer is like . . .” by Amy Young: 7 Ways to Pray blog series
So often we wish for clear instructions. If you do this, that will happen. Or a, b, and c will definitely lead to d. But life isn’t like that – as we see with Amy Young’s delightful post. I love American football and I don’t love baseball, but I appreciate her wonderful illustration. Enjoy! (And…
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Praying with a Painting: The grass of the field
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever. Isaiah 40:8, NIV For a mini-retreat, take a few moments to ponder the passage from Isaiah’s prophecy and consider my dad’s wonderful painting of the pampas grass and evergreen tree. Grass withers and flowers fall – take in the beauty of the grass with…
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‘Rummaging For God’ by Penelope Swithinbank: 7 Ways to Pray blog series
How can we look back with God in order to move forwards? Penelope Swithinbank shares from her years of spiritual direction how she helped someone recalibrate her decision-making process as she discerned her movements towards and away from God through the prayer of examen. I love the hands-on nature of Penelope’s exploration of this prayer…
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Praying with a Painting: Let the Heavens Rejoice
Take a mini-retreat and center yourself in God as you gaze at this painting by my dad, Leo Boucher. Ask God through the Holy Spirit to lead you in a few moments of prayer and wonder. You might want to ponder these lines from the Psalms: Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let…
