Prayer & Fasting: Bonus Fun

TO START

ICEBREAKER: As we move into the Fall and post-Halloween, we want to encourage you to answer one or both of the following questions: What’s your favorite Fall activity? OR What’s your favorite Halloween candy?

TO DISCUSS

This week, we were blessed to have Zach Carstens preach, so we are using the discussion time to provide your group with a chance to check-in with one another, to reflect on the Prayer and Fasting series & to spend practicing a few types of prayer that we taught and discussed at this past week’s Prayer and Fasting Workshop… 

  • Next, really figure out folks are surviving or thriving by doing pits and peaks (have each group member share one high point and one low point from their week, this last month or this season)

  • After hearing the entirety of the series, discuss the following: what questions do you have? Are you confused about anything? Is there anything about prayer and fasting that you want to know more about? What do you think the main purposes of prayer and fasting are from your perspective? 

TO PRACTICE

Read Psalm 16:11 & Psalm 46:10 

During the Prayer and Fasting Workshop, we introduced these two types of prayers that are distinct but allow you to spend time with God in a unique way. So, to close the group, we want to invite y’all to take 5-10 minutes to enable each individual group member to practice one of these prayers either a finger prayer labyrinth OR a breath prayer (copies with instructions to both provided) 

  • Prayer Labyrinth - labyrinths are a form of active prayer that allow you to get lost in God. The winding path of a labyrinth helps us to “unwind”, to let go and to rest in God. Unlike a maze that’s designed to get you lost, a labyrinth has only one path that leads to the center… if you stay on the path, you cannot get lost. There is no right or wrong way through the labyrinth and no set pace. You’re just called to follow the path in your own time… 

  • Breath Prayer - a short ancient Christian prayer of praise or petition that is intended to connect your words and your heart with the natural rhythms of your breathing. You can say the prayer silently within or out loud. Works best when you spend time saying it over and over again until you control your breathing. A form of this prayer is known as the “Jesus Prayer'' where you say, “Lord Jesus Christ” (breathe in) and “Have Mercy On Me” (breathe out)... The main task is for you to call God by name (Father, Holy One, Lord, etc.) and then a praise or petition (asking for God’s intervention)

Matt DeLano