In my anxiety to open up, 

to be seen and known, 

help me to trust. 

In my judgment of others 

and my assuming the worst, 

help me be generous.

In my tunnel vision, 

my busyness, and my ignorance, 

help me to see others. 

In my hiding away, not 

sharing the light you’ve given, 

help me be open. 

In my retreating into sadness, 

fear, and tiredness, 

help me receive others’ love. 

In my learning to love others, 

and to receive them wholeheartedly, 

help me know it in you first. 

That I, and those I know, may experience 

the joy of being loved, and of loving, like you. 

Amen.

“Think often on God, by day, by night, in your business and even in your diversions. He is always near you and with you; leave him not alone.” ― Brother Lawrence 

God is seeking a relationship. Prayer is how we grow in intimacy with the Father. We talk with God, we learn to hear His voice. In prayer, we pursue and practice the presence of God in our lives. 

We all have different personalities and prayer styles. There’s no “right” way. We’re happy to help you explore patterns of prayer that work best for you. 

We need an intentional plan for our spiritual lives. We intentionally design our lives to give free reign over our formation.

The earliest apprentices of Jesus asked the question: How do we go about following Jesus in such a way that we are transformed? The answer they came up with is a Rule. 

A Rule of Life is a powerful tool to organize your life in order to live intentionally in your apprenticeship to Jesus. 

We encourage all to develop a Rule of Life, structuring days, weeks and months, creating space in our daily lives to be with Jesus. 

It’s been said that we achieve inner peace when our schedule is aligned with our values. A rule of life is simply a tool to that end. Rather than a rigid, legalistic to-do list, it’s a life-giving structure for freedom, growth, and joy. 

Here’s a guide to help you develop a Rule of Life.

In the relentless busyness of modern life, we have lost the rhythm between work and rest (Wayne Muller). We do not know how to “rest.” 

Human beings were not designed for the hectic pace which now entraps us. We’re stuck in survival mode and driven by the tyranny of the urgent. Our culture is plagued by digital addiction, hurry and chronic exhaustion. 

We need time to recover, reflect, reconnect and regroup. 

Sabbathing is an ancient practice for refreshing our souls and is an important value at Christ Church. It’s a spiritual and biological necessity. This is more than just “going to church” on Sunday. We take an entire day off every week to be more available to God, family and friends. 

Sabbath is an expression of faith. Faith that there is a Creator and he’s good. We are his creation. This is his world. We live under his roof, drink his water, eat his food, breathe his oxygen. So on the Sabbath, we don’t just take a day off from work; we

take a day off from toil. We give him all our fear and anxiety and stress and worry. We let go. We stop ruling and subduing, and we just be. We “remember” our place in the universe. So that we never forget (John Mark Comer). 

The practice of sabbath keeping reminds us who we are and Whose we are.