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Prayer

When God Says No: Stages of Prayer

One of the first words our children learned was “No.”  This was especially true of our son Jacob.  He suffered near paralyzing colic (paralyzing for his sleep-deprived parents, not for him) for several months.  Perhaps that trauma contributed to his surprisingly high level of stubbornness.  By the time Jacob became mobile, hardly a half-hour passed without Kendra or me stating firmly to Jacob, “No.”  No pulling your sister’s hair.  No sticking forks in the outlet.  No breaking your toys.  No, No, No.  It is no surprise that one of his first words was “No.”  He heard it more often than he’d like.Read More »When God Says No: Stages of Prayer

Ten Minute Mystic: Practice the Examen

Just ten minutes of spiritual practice won’t make you a mystic any more than just ten minutes of running will make you a track star.  However, a handful of brief spiritual habits, engaged in throughout the day, can make a remarkable difference.

One of those brief habits is The Examen.  It comes from Ignatius Loyola and his “Society of Jesus,” also known as the Jesuits.  And the heart of Jesuit spirituality lay in two practices: Spiritual Exercises and The Examen.  The Examen is a structured form of prayer and meditation.  It consists of five steps.  In about ten minutes you can move easily through the five steps.  Loyola urged people to practice The Examen twice daily.  I strive to engage in The Examen at lunchtime and during my drive home.

Read More »Ten Minute Mystic: Practice the Examen

When God Says No: The Unanswered Prayer of Paul

In March, 1997 Newsweek magazine ran a cover-story on prayer.  The article included three prayer stories.  The first story concerned Mimi Rumpp.  Mimi’s sister Miki needed a kidney transplant.  So Mimi and her family started praying.  Less than a year later, Miki got a new kidney, courtesy of a bank teller who was so moved by Miki’s plight that she had herself tested and discovered she was a perfect match.  Her family prayed.  And a kidney was provided.Read More »When God Says No: The Unanswered Prayer of Paul