(Click here to read the introduction to "A Culture of Prayer")

From Cynicism to Joy

Search your own heart as you pray for God to awaken in you and in the greater Jubilee community a spirit of joy. What does joy look like for you? What does cynicism look like for you?

Below are some quotes and verses that you can meditate on.

Psalm 51:12 | Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Psalm 118:4 | The Lord has done it this very day;
let us rejoice today and be glad.

John 16:24 | Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive,and your joy will be complete.

Galatians 5:22-23 | But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Romans 15:13 | May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

James 1:2-4 | Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Every moment of each day I have the chance to choose between cynicism and joy. Every thought I have can be cynical or joyful. Every word I speak can be cynical or joyful. Every action can be cynical or joyful. Increasingly I am aware of all these possible choices, and increasingly I discover that every choice for joy in turn reveals more joy and offers more reason to make life a true celebration." -Henri Nouwen

"Cynicism is, increasingly, the dominant spirit of our age. . . . It is an influence, a tone that permeates our culture . . . . [It] is so pervasive that, at times, it feels like a presence” - Paul Miller

(Click here to read the Prayer Focus for October 10th - October 17th)

"Converting our unceasing thinking into unceasing prayer moves us from a self-centered monologue to a God-centered dialogue." -Henri Nouwen

Prayer is a way of talking about intentional relationship with God. It's about doing life with him. It's accepting his presence and voice in the big and small things of our day. It's recognizing that as you walk down the street he is there beside you. And it is in this place of constant, intimate, and honest dialogue with God as Father that we begin to voice our concerns, requests and questions.

Like many things we aim to do at Jubilee, prayer is not so much a series of events as it is a culture, or lifestyle, that we long to see cultivated. Jesus could only do what he saw his Father doing (John 5:19) but important in this constant communion with God were regular moments of withdrawing to "lonely places" to pray (for example, Luke 5:16). We aim to experience this kind of constant surrender fed by a rhythm of withdrawing to pray. To that end, we present to you some concrete ways you can join the greater Jubilee community in prayer.

Would you join us in this rhythm of prayer?

Daily Prayer: Set your clocks for 2:42pm. This will remind you of Acts 2:42 where the early church 'devoted themselves to prayer" (among other things, of course). Take a minute each day at 2:42pm and redirect your attention to the small still voice of God.

Wednesday Prayer: From 12pm-1pm stop where you are to listen and pray. Want to meet up with others during this time? Go for it.

Sunday Prayer: Even if you're not scheduled for a Sunday Team that week come early and pray with others at 10:00AM in the room to the right of the stage.

Jubilee Communities / DNA Groups: Perhaps the richest place to experience regular prayer over the long term with others is in your Jubilee Community and especially in your DNA group. Want to know more about these? Email us.

To facilitate prayer for the larger community and holistic transformation you can see the weekly Jubilee email newsletter that will arrive in your inbox each Sunday morning with prayer focuses and events for the upcoming week. Bring these prayer points before God during any of your focused prayer times each week.

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Prayer Focus: Monday, October 10th - Sunday, October 16th

A Culture of Prayer: An Introduction

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