Why is prayer so hard?Many of us have asked that question. We want to pray. We intend to pray. But, as spiritual director and professor MaryKate Morse notes, "We don't pray as consistently or as meaningfully as we might like."And yet prayer offersus such spiritual riches. Prayer



- draws us to experience love and to be love

- increases our faith

- expands our vision of God

- helps us grow in self-understanding

- gives us perspective on life and death

Morse continues: "Through prayer, we experience forgiveness, guidance and peace. We are healed physically and emotionally. We experience the mystery of God, see truth and receive spiritual gifts. We receive vision and courage for God's mission. Faith becomes more beautiful, more real."This guidebook is designed to move you from lamenting over prayerlessness to the joy of praying. Whether you are a beginner or a lifetime person of faith, you will find a treasure trove of riches here to guide you into a deeper experience of prayer.Each chapter explores a different angle of prayer with sections focusing on each of the persons of the Trinity—Father, Son and Holy Spirit. And each chapter offers specific ways to pray both on your own, with a partner or in a group. Sprinkled throughout are reflections from the author's former students describing on their own experience with these practices.A treasure trove of both resources and encouragement, you will find this book to be an indispensableguide to your life of prayer.



Joshua Choonmin Kang (ThM, Talbot School of Theology) is founding pastor of New Life Vision Church in the Koreatown area of Los Angeles, California. He is a speaker and has written books such as Deep-Rooted in Christ and Scripture byHeart. Pastor Kang is also the author of thirty books in Korean, including God's Grace That Turns the Life Around, with over 1.5 million copies in print.







MaryKate Morse is professor of leadership and spiritual formation at George Fox Evangelical Seminary and director of strategic planning at George Fox University in Portland, Oregon. She is a trained spiritual director and serves as a consultant tochurches and organizations. She is also the author of Making Room for Leadership.



Contents

Foreword by Rev. Joshua Choonmin Kang

Acknowledgments

Introduction: Prayer as Roadness to God

Part One: God the Father

1. Community Prayer—God as One in Community

2. Creative Prayer—God as Creator

3. Work Prayer—God as Active

4. Contemplative-Rest Prayer—God as Rest

5. Prayer of Confession—God as Holy

6. Blessing Prayer—God as Loving-Kindness

7. Worship Prayer—God as Worthy



Part Two: God the Son

8. Reflection-Examen Prayer—Jesus as Human

9. The Lord?s Prayer—Jesus as Lord

10. Servant Prayer—Jesus as Servant

11. Simplicity Prayer—Jesus as Reconciler

12. Prayer in Play—Jesus as Love

13. Scripture Prayer—Jesus as Teacher

14. Relinquishment Prayer—Jesus as Suffering Son of God

15. Forgiveness Prayer—Jesus as Savior

16. Sacrament Prayer—Jesus as Head of the Body



Part Three: God the Holy Spirit

17 Tongues-Prayer Language—Holy Spirit as Abiding Presence

18 Conversational Prayer—Holy Spirit as Companion

19 Breath Prayer—Holy Spirit as Inner Healer

20 Healing Prayer—Holy Spirit as Intercessor

21 Meditative Prayer—Holy Spirit as Truth-Whisperer

22 Discernment Prayer—Holy Spirit as Guide

23 Watch Prayer—Holy Spirit as Power

24 Rejoice Prayer—Holy Spirit as Joy



Conclusion: Simply Pray on the Road of Life

Notes