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My prayer life starts the minute I open my eyes in the morning with The Lord s Prayer and giving thanks for another day on this earth.

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Place to Pray

Matthew 26: 36, 38 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to

them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”….and he said to them, “The sorrow in my heart is so

great that it almost crushes me. Stay here and keep watch with me.” The Daughters of the King have

shared a little reflection of where and how they pray to fulfill their Rule of Life through prayer. It is a

beautiful collection of how different and unique our prayer lives are, as well as how similar. Where is

your prayer place?

One of my special places is what I call My Big Blue Chair in my study. On the footstool or in a favorite wooden box next to my chair are several books I use while spending my quiet time. I often listen to morning prayer from Mission St. Clare or I Google contemplative prayer music. I can spend hours in this special place and often do. This is not my only prayer place. I pray in my car, sitting

on my patio, walking, sitting on a chair in my closet (I read a prayer for God to walk through my home and bless my family. It’s taped to my shoe shelves. It was given to the Daughters from Naomi Brotherton. (See picture right). During our new normal, I’ve even sat on my front step to pray. The places are endless and so is my time in prayer. There is no right time or right words to say while in prayer. God knows what’s on your heart. - Linda

This prayer table has been in my bedroom for a number of years. I have a basket with material I read daily. I've used the Episcopal Prayer Book for 40 years. The prayers I use begin on page 814. I also love psalms 36 & 46. Also, The Welcoming prayer by Thomas Keating, a prayer by Thomas Merton, and Guerrillas of Grace by Ted Loder which was introduced to me in the Sunday school class invite are some of my favorites which I love. I also use AL anon material, Courage to Change, Jesus Calling and during lent I read the Litany of Penitence. I use prayer beads which I carry with me. – Cydney

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There is a sofa in our front living room where I spend much of my prayer time, but I also pray anywhere and everywhere. When I want to spend time in prayer or in the word, I have certain tools I use. My rosary, my Bible, my Prayer Book and my Jesus Calling give me comfort. I have the Bible and BCP digitally (there’s an app for that!) and I keep a rosary in my purse. When I pray other places, I have them with me. They do not bring God closer to me; they give me comfort which can help me still myself and invite Him in. – Nancy

I am one of those people who are in constant prayer. I might be making the bed, unloading the dishwasher, driving the car, reading email and notice a special request for urgent prayer, etc. I find this type of communication with God a vital part of my life and cannot imagine my life without that privilege. However, I also have a favorite place for quiet contemplative prayer and I try to go there for solace every single day but sometimes the prayers “on the go” are all that I can manage. When I do have that quiet peaceful time it is in my family room where a large piece of art work that hangs over the mantel proclaims “Family” to be the second most important entity in my life. On a table beside my chair is a replica of a church, a “holding” cross, some books I use in daily devotion, and a very special prayer bowl. This bowl was given to me by my sister, Mary, as a gift at Christmas a couple of

years ago. It is porcelain, lovingly crafted, and came complete with little cards you can use to jot down a prayer so you can place it in the bowl. I find great comfort knowing that I have placed these particular petitions in the hands of my God and that I am assured that he will hear my pleas and respond in his own way and in his own time. Any

receptacle and any pieces of paper will do the same service—it doesn’t matter that mine is hand-painted and made for that particular service. Mine brings me peace even in these troubled times because right there on top of all the cards is one that is begging God to heal our land. Each of us has a part to play in these challenging times and praying is right up there on the top of the list of things we can do to bring peace and health back to the world. - Rubynelle

(Prayer Bowl – Phil. 4: 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.)

Although I don't have a special place set aside for prayer, I set aside a special time, which is first thing in the

morning for about an hour. Maybe from my living room couch or maybe from the quiet of my bedroom, whichever

is available just for this purpose. During this time, I dedicate prayers to those on our prayer list, for family and

friends and for the country. I utilize the book of common prayer, devotional books, the DOK daily devotionals, and I

study the bible readings from those devotional readings. Throughout the day, I request God's presence and

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I spend about an hour each morning in quiet time reading “Jesus Calling”, daily

reading from Saint John on the phone, (in my green leather wing chair with a cup

of coffee and the cat) reflecting on how grateful I am to be able to thank God

for all His blessings. I have a little plaque on my baker’s rack by my back door

that says “I feel nearer to God in my garden than anywhere else on earth” which

I feel so true when I am out there as it is my sanctuary during these times of

isolation. I mostly do my prayers in the evening when I go to bed asking God’s

prayers for all those in need and thanksgiving for all we have. – Judy

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, allow me to share my prayer life with you. It is honest and ongoing. Awake in the middle of the night, I turn to Him in prayer. He never fails to hold me in His Love. First thoughts on waking, "thank you, Lord, for another day. Please put me where you need me. Equip me to do your Will." As a Daughter of the King, I pledge to pray daily. I do, but I often falter. I keep trying. For our Lord is faithful and because I felt His Presence in my loneliness and uncertainty, I remain faithful. Lots of opportunities. So many blessings. Thank you, Lord, for this moment.

During Watch Hours I keep my Book of Common Prayer and Bible handy. In addition, A Continual Feast and Patches of Godlight, both by Jan Karon, often provide thought-provoking insights. I have a candle or two, battery ones are okay, a pen and notebook. I write my prayers and thoughts as they come to me. I sometimes sing. A beautiful sense of Peace surrounds and time loses all meaning. – Janis

My prayer life starts the minute I open my eyes in the morning with The Lord’s Prayer and giving thanks for another day on this earth.

I try to set my timer 30 minutes before getting up to allow for my morning prayers. It’s during this time of prayers I give thanksgiving for all the Blessings in my life. I continue with the DOK weekly prayers asked for by our congregation.

My evening prayers are for the names assigned for the month and the needs of the people in general. I often use prayers from a book that was given to me at confirmation (age 8), while holding my rosary beads. This gives me the peace I need for sleep.

Prayer is my relationship with God; like talking on the phone to a love one. It can be done anywhere & anytime without having to look up any numbers. God Bless!!! - Diane

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This rocking chair with my peace plant and books nearby are my quiet place. The Divine Hours is a short form of the Daily Offices as compiled by Phyllis Tickle. It is a great way to say the daily offices in short form and easily packed to take with you on trips. She also has a series of four books, one for each season. They have the daily offices in longer form. Stay well and sending much love and hugs! - Glenna

I am so thankful to God for calling me to intercessory prayer. What a privilege it is to pray for God's people! What a privilege it is to pray for all people! This Lent, I have really enjoyed "The Way of Love in Lent 2020" and "Lenten Meditations 2020"

(Episcopal Relief and Development) which I picked up at St. Andrew's. These readings have helped me to be...be thankful for God's love. John 3:16: For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. I am so thankful for the presence of the Holy Spirit amongst us. Praise Father, Son and Holy Spirit. – Pat

I pray the first thing in the morning, right when I wake

up and still in bed. Usually the neighborhood cardinal is

waking at the same time. So, he serenades me each

morning. – Sandy

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My prayer life is different now that I am home than when I was working. I used to read the prayer list and commit many requests to memory and pray for those things and many others in my car going to work. Maybe that’s one reason why I never seemed to mind my 30-45 min typical commute? So, my main prayer spot was in the car and has been for years. I used to finish my prayer time in my car after I parked. I would open up A Diary of Private Prayer by John Baillie and read one of the prayers before I walked into work.

My prayer life has never been one in which I reach out to God and talk to him once a day. It’s an ongoing conversation throughout the day. Usually the first conversation of the day is the longest. I begin with my thanksgivings, secondly my confessions and lastly my supplications. Throughout the day I am lifting up those that I know or meet, those that come to mind and just conversing in general with my Father in Heaven. Now that I’m home, I pray daily from either my favorite spot on my sofa or from a rocking chair on my back porch. My prayer list is nearby and I reference it (although I still commit most of them to memory) and I might use Jesus Calling, The Book of Common Prayer and A Diary of Private Prayer during my daily prayer time as well. One of my favorite prayer times during the week is on Sunday nights along with those in my Bible Study and we speak to The Lord in conversational prayer. Another beautiful time of prayer for me over the past few weeks has been during noonday prayer. Laura and Syd Verinder have been hosting a 10 minute Zoom call along with anyone else who chooses to join. - Laurie

My prayer life is characterized by praying before I get out of bed so that

my day can focus on God. Throughout the day, more prayers are offered

with meals, while walking, or driving. We also pray as a family at the end of

the day. – Rachel

This is a place I have set up to use during The Watch on

Maundy Thursday, but will definitely use during the entire

Holy Week. Maybe you and/or your family can set up a

special place like this. It doesn’t take much, a table, a

candle or two, a cross, a picture printed from the computer,

a few chairs, pillows to use as kneelers, reading materials.

Let your children be creative. They love to build.

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