Relationship
We have been created for relationship with God our Creator, and also with each other.  We were created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27), and from the beginning, designed for intimate relationship with him. When sin entered the world through the disobedience of Adam and Eve, humans became separated from God (Genesis 3). This separation led to a continuing distortion of our bearing of God’s image and a strained relationship between humans and God. Christ’s death on the cross and resurrection brought us back into the possibility of a pure relationship with God once again. As we “put on” the nature of Christ, we are changed and renewed into his likeness (Colossians 3:10-15).

Spirituality and spiritual disciplines
Spirituality is a word that generates much interest in our culture and no less in Christian circles.  Spirituality describes and refers to that part of each of us which longs to connect with God. We are created in the image of God and we cooperate with God in nurturing his image in ourselves. Spiritual disciplines are spiritual practices by which we can renew our minds, focus our energies, and train our bodies to allow God’s image to shine more brightly through us to a watching world (2 Corinthians 3:16-18). They help us get closer to God and allow God to transform us; “polishing” the sin-tarnished image that we inherited.

Prayer
Every human has been given the ability to pray, as our communication with the Creator God is called. Prayer can be more simply described as conversation with God.  In a conversation, both parties listen to, and speak to each other. Conversation with God is a little different than with people, because we don’t have an embodied person in front of us.  But the elements of being with, listening, and speaking with God are contained in the act of prayer.

The Purpose of Spiritual Disciplines
Spiritual disciplines are ways to help us hear God and understand what he is saying to us.  They can help us receive God’s love and express our love for God in turn.  Spiritual disciplines can also help us to learn how to live out Christ’s life in the world - in our interaction with creation, family, friends and strangers. Meditation/reflection, fasting, solitude/silence, holy reading (lectio divina), worship, celebration, observing Sabbath, simplicity, service, evangelism and prayer walks are a few of the practices which can provide a means for turning from our old sin-filled life and living in the new life of the Spirit that God intends for each of us. Companionship with a spiritual director is a way to help us learn to become more attentive to God in our lives and to establish the practices of spiritual disciplines in our lives

To explore more about prayer, spirituality and spiritual disciplines, check out our resource page. Have questions? Contact Vicki Brown, Pastor of Prayer Initiatives, or any staff member.