A NUMBER OF YEARS AGO Rosalind Rinker polarized group conversational prayer through her book Prayer: Conversing With God. In an attempt to stem some of the long monologue prayers that characterized prayer gatherings, she suggested a style of prayer that was more like talking with a friend than making a speech before a dignitary. Conversational prayers are not fancy or rehearsed; they are spontaneous, in-the-moment responses to heartfelt concerns. While we can have a conversation with God on our own, conversational prayer generally refers to a way of praying with others that invites everyone to participate.

In conversations people listen to one another. In conversational prayer, people don’t pontificate, expostulate and otherwise hold forth. They don’t cover every topic that can think of in one long prayer. Instead, as topics are brought forth, individuals take turns praying about that one topic. A prayers of a few sentences is all one offers. As others pray, participants listen and add other prayers as the Spirit prompts them. In due course the gourd will sense when to move on to another topic. Once again, they take turns praying through the next concern.

Conversational prayer is particularly meaningful for those who do a better job praying when they are with others than when they are alone. The simplicity and freedom in this discipline can truly encourage growth in personal prayer as well.

SPIRITUAL EXERCISES:

1. When you find yourself talking to a Christian friend about concerns of your heart, suggest that the two of you pray together conversationally.
2. Invite your children to take turns praying sentence prayers. You suggest the topics, inviting them to each pray one after the other…. As them to talk about what it is like to pray this way.
3. When praying in a small group, pray one topic at a time. Allow several people to pray about the same thing. Then move on to another topic.
4. When you pray with others, listen to their prayers. What do you see about God through their eyes and prayers? How might something they pray vive you more freedom in prayer? Don’t worry if you feel like a “beginner.” As you grow in prayer you will find greater freedom to speak.
5. If you are uncomfortable praying out loud, ask someone who feels confident in verbal prayer to mentor you and encourage you. Break your silence by praying with one other person.