It’s no secret, the prayer life of many church leaders—and Christians—leaves much to be desired.
Jared Brock, a ministry leader in his 20s, was no exception.
So he set off on a 37,000 mile trip around the world to discover prayer in all its forms. Here’s what he learned, and how it can help you.
Welcome to Episode 38 of the Podcast.
Guest Links: Jared Brock
Links Mentioned in this Episode
Pete Greig of 24/7 Prayer and Holy Trinity Brompton
The Practice and Presence of God: The Wisdom and Teachings of Brother Lawrence
3 Things You Can Do Right Away
You want prayer to be at the heart of your church or organization, but sometimes leaders struggle. Why is it so difficult or seem one dimensional? It’s an area we all have trouble with, and Jared tells us how his multi-cultural experiences enriched his relationship with God.
- Pray with Passion. The Bible has so many relational metaphors for God. He’s like a Father, a king, a master, etc. He’s all of these metaphors combined. Jared uses the metaphor of marriage to keep his relationship with God intact. “I could spend 10 hours a day sitting in a quiet room with my wife saying the basic things over and over again, and it wouldn’t be a rich communication with my spouse. But if we have 10 minutes together one day, and it’s a passionate conversation, that’s probably better for our relationship than 5 hours of very boring, monotonous prayer.”
- Attach physicality to spirituality. During his journey, Jared learned that the monks on Athos pray 7-9 hours a day. One of their traditions includes wearing a matisse, a bracelet with knots that designates a breathing exercise that translates into a prayer, such as, “Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me as a sinner.” The idea is that each breath will speak to God, and it encourages one to pray without ceasing. Similarly, there are several ways we can incorporate such prayer into our routines, from showering to commuting to work, if we’re willing to make it part of our spiritual journey. Prayer is a buffet. It comes in different forms and provides unique varieties when you decide to include such elements into your routine.
- Stop working and just pray. We zone into our work for several hours a day, and not once do we think about God, but that’s when we probably need to think about God the most. Prayer is going to give our work its real spiritual power, and Jared emphasizes that you have to hear the voice of God in order to act. Additionally, keep in mind that the more time you spend with someone, the more you become like them. If you spend time with Bill Gates, you’ll become better with your money. If you spend more time with Jesus in prayer, you’ll become more like Christ. Not only is he answering your prayers, you’re becoming more like Him. The power of those two things in unison is what creates change.
Quotes from Jared
CNLP 038: What to Do When Your Prayer Life Stalls Out—An Interview With Jared Brock Click To Tweet CNLP 038: What to Do When Your Prayer Life Stalls Out—An Interview With Jared Brock Click To TweetA New Episode Every Week…Just Subscribe
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Next Episode: Chris Lema
Most of us think if we could hire or recruit a few superstar leaders, it would catalyze growth for our church. What if that theory is just dead wrong? Chris Lema, author, blogger and entrepreneur, walks you through how to build and develop a great team from inside your church or organization.
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