Book Reviews - Faith - Prayer

Pause to Pray

A small group in our church is reading and discussing the book, How to Pray: A Simple Guide for Normal People by Pete Grieg. Grieg introduces the acronym P.R.A.Y. Pause, Rejoice, Ask, Yield.

Why do we need to pause? Perhaps that is a silly question when we consider our hectic lives and the issues that we are currently confronting. Grieg writes:

The best way to start praying, therefore is actually to stop praying. To pause. To be still. To put down your prayer list and surrender your personal agenda. To stop talking at God long enough to focus on the wonder of who he actually is. To be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.

Our discussion was stimulating. I wondered about the pressure in our society to achieve, to accomplish goals. What if our prayers are about getting to know God? Is it more important to grow our relationship with Him than achieve goals?

The time that we are living in is challenging. I desire to grow my prayer life. Perhaps you do too.

The prayer course that is a supplement to the book is available online: https://prayercourse.org/sessions/

Linking this post to the Five Minute Friday writing community. Kate’s prompt is: QUIET Also sharing this post with Legacy Link-up and with Anita’s Inspire Me Monday .

Carol is a follower of Jesus and a wife, mom & grandma. She worked for many years as a childbirth nurse and prenatal educator. She recently retired from clinical work. She has written articles for nursing journals and devotionals. Her novel, Aliisa's Letter, was published in 2010 and she is currently working on another project.

10 Comments on “Pause to Pray

  1. Carol, what a beautiful reminder. To stop talking at God and to simply pause and acknowledge who He is. To focus on the wonder of who He actually is. I love that. Thanks for sharing!

  2. Too often we forget to stop, recognize God for who he is, worship Him, before we start asking

    Thanks for linking up at Legacy

  3. The many approaches to prayer has been fascinating to me as a new(ish) Christian. There are so many suggestions and guides! I like this framework, though. Pausing to enjoy the wonder and majesty of God before approaching Him is both wise and lovely. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

  4. Sounds like a wonderful book, Carol. Thanks for the recommendation for it and the online sessions.

    I appreciate this insight, “The best way to start praying, therefore is actually to stop…To pause. To be still…To stop talking at God long enough to focus on the wonder of who he actually is. To be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.”
    ~Lisa, FMF #20

  5. This was a powerful quote – “The best way to start praying, therefore is actually to stop praying…” and so true. The study you are involved in sounds wonderful! Thank you for sharing.

  6. When I teach the kids at my church, I sometimes tell them that praying is talking with God. So it stands to reason that sometimes there would be silence, the same way that might happen when you sit down with a good friend for coffee. Sometimes the silence speaks as much as words.

    Amie, FMF #16

    1. Spending quiet time meditating on a portion of scripture is a way to pause and listen. Thanks for visiting!

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