The Starting Point for More Spiritual Clarity for Christian Leaders \\ FAITH Episode

You were meant for today’s topic sister! God had you in mind when He created our topic for today and that is Prayer – okay, don’t hit the snooze button on me here Phyllis.  In case you believe prayer is boring, it’s because you are doing it all wrong.  Communicating back and forth with God – and yes it is a 2 way conversation -  is one of the most wonderful activities of this life that you can engage in.  Whether you feel good about your prayer life today, or not, I’ve got some good stuff for you today!  Welcome to episode #36 and this is a FAITH episode…

There are three main aspects to your relationship with God and I’ve already covered 2 of them  - Church Engagement – episode 1 (Spiritual Gifts) and episode 32 (biblical literacy) and prayer!

I can’t believe I am at episode 36 of my podcast and am just now speaking on the topic of prayer.  As you may or may not know, I am the author of a book on prayer titled Organizing Your Prayer Closet: A New and Life-Changing Way to Pray – my publisher is Abingdon Press.  It was named Best Book on prayer in 2014 by Christian Retailing. Depending on which publication you have – the original or the revised and expanded version, you will have 10 or 11 chapters about prayer.   I shared all the prayer tips and  insight I had been graciously given up until that point in that book. Plus I share a structured prayer journal.  Just to be clear, my book is about structured prayer journaling and not about prayer closets, even though the book title says that is … about prayer closets. But I will say that since you can write in it and carry it with you, it could be technically referred to as a portable prayer closet. 

Funny thing is that I wanted to pitch “The Gripper” as the title of my book – bc well you can nicely fit my book in your hand/ or within your grip plus it’s where I go to get a grip.   So the title The Gripper seemed like a fairly accurate title for my prayer journal, don’t you think?

I believe God gave me the gift of structured prayer journaling as a way to impart 1 Peter 4:7.  It says – the end of all things are near; therefore, be clear-minded and disciplined for prayer.  I love this scripture.  If were to do a google search on 1 Peter 4:7, and select Biblehub.com, you will find this scripture reworded multiple ways that all adds value and insight to what this scripture is about.

Link to the Master Class for Structured Prayer Journaling: https://etsy.me/3xyOZew

Do you struggle with prayer? If so, then let me help a sister out! 1 Peter 4:7 says 3 main things about prayer:

Pray Quickly – The end of all things is near

Pray Seriously – Be Clear-Minded (sober) – Ecc 7:2

Pray Attentively – Disciplined / watch unto prayer

This is why structured prayer journaling is such a gift.  .  Unlike free hand journaling, my structured prayer journal has place to record all the things you are praying about… At night, which is when I prayer journal, my mind is cleared by the exercise of making entries into my prayer journal – think of a brain dump in my prayer journal…structured prayer journaling is a disciplined approach to prayer – its an activity more than just a mental process; this keeps me awake.  Have you ever fell asleep while praying? Well, that’s hard to do when you are writing in a journal.  Plus you can go back and make updates as God answers prayers – that is how we watch unto prayer!

Structured prayer journaling is how we bring things from the spiritual realm into our visual presence so we can physically see the hand of God moving.  Isn’t that awesome??? Yes it is.

Let me ask you -

Do you desire to be a more prayerful person?

Do you wish you could hear God and know where He is leading you?

Do you wish you could have a consistent prayer life?

How about more spiritual clarity?

Well Phyllis – I am offering you a Masterclass on Structured Prayer Journaling!

This masterclass will assist you with developing a deep and disciplined prayer life as you work through my book, Organizing Your Prayer Closet (Abingdon Press). This masterclass is made up of TEN (10) weeks of instruction will establish the prayerful life you’ve always wanted!  You must be present for each session (including Super Bowl Sunday night).

Early Bird Special price of $297 is only available through Wednesday, December 15th.  On December 16th price goes up to $347. This is a $50 savings! I have a link in my show notes or you can go to my Etsy shop – ChurchtownMarket (one word), to make your purchase.  While you are in my Etsy store, you can also check out my junk journal inspired prayer journals!

Link to purchase is here: https://etsy.me/3xyOZew

This masterclass is a supplement to your purchase of my award-winning book Organizing Your Prayer Closet (Abingdon Press), which you can also purchase in my Etsy store or anywhere else you buy books (like Amazon, Cokesbury, Lifeway, Barnes & Noble, etc.) The 10-week Sunday night sessions will be at 8 pm CST with award-winning author Gina Duke. A link will be sent to you to join the weekly Zoom call, and is contained within the Welcome Letter PDF you will receive after you make your purchase. 

The first masterclass will be held on 7 p.m. Sunday night, January 9, 2022.  The last masterclass will be held at the same time on Sunday night, March 20th.

You will leave this masterclass with a better understanding of how to effectively pray, hear from God.  You will also have ongoing spiritual clarity when using the methods and prayer disciplines learned.  This is truly a life-changing way to pray!

Oh my goodness – I hope you join me.  This would make a great Christmas gift for yourself or a loved one.  Again, the link is in the show notes. 

Okayl to recap the three things we learned today about prayer

Pray Quickly

Pray Seriously

Pray Attentively