EP 19: Knowing Jesus Through Centering Prayer -- A Conversation with Brian Russell

Corrie ten Boom once said, “Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?”

Ooooh, that might hit home for many of us. We know prayer isn’t just for emergencies, but we can treat it that way. I think we all wish we could have a better prayer life. I know that I do!

On this episode, you’ll meet a guest who will open up the world of prayer to us. I could have talked with him for two hours, but I didn’t. His entire life is different because of a change he made in his prayer life. Brian Russell will pull back the curtain and share how his relationship with Christ has become more intimate, transparent and joyful. I hope we can learn something from him.

Last week, Jamie Moore talked to us about friendship with God. I think this week’s episode is a cousin to that topic. Make sure you listen to episode #18 if you haven’t already.

Billy Graham said something that ties into the Corrie Ten Boom quote: "We are to pray in times of adversity, lest we become faithless and unbelieving. We are to pray in times of prosperity, lest we become boastful and proud. We are to pray in times of danger, lest we become fearful and doubting. We are to pray in times of security, lest we become self-sufficient."

If you have a favorite prayer quote, share it with me and I’ll share it with our audience. My email address is [email protected] 

In our Fresh Bread segment, we’ll see what the Bible has to say about prayer.

NOTE: There’s a great way to kick off your morning prayer session with God, and that’s with my FRESH BREAD FOR FRESH FAITH email devotion. Three times a week, I deliver the sweet aroma of Fresh Bread to your inbox. It’s quick, to the point, and gets you going for your day.

***To get it, just click HERE. This free devo will hit your mailbox early in the morning and will spark your day in prayer and in the Word. It’s a 60-second read that focuses you on the Lord.

About Brian Russell:

Our guest is someone whose relationship with God has been transformed by approaching prayer in a different way. He’s a longtime believer who was missing something in his relationship with Jesus. As he will share, his life came crashing down over a decade ago, and exposed some devastating weaknesses. He knew Christ, but nothing compared to where he is today.

He’ll talk to us about centering prayer. He practiced it and journaled about this for years and then his journal became a book. We’ll talk about that. Something else about Brian—he’s a professor of biblical studies at Asbury Theological Seminary. And you’d think, someone who is teaching in seminary would have it all together when it comes to prayer. Well—Brian is the first to say that he was really missing something. Let’s go on his life journey together.

Centering Prayer Basics:

1. Schedule a time.

2. Choose a duration.

3. Create an atmosphere.

4. Close your eyes.

5. Set your intention.

6. Sit silently and use a Prayer Word to break your cycles of thought.

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After last week’s episode on friendship with God, I received an email from Robbin. She was responding to my story about my best friend growing up. Hers was Debby, and I thought this was really cool:

“After I came to the Lord, I started sharing with her about Jesus. It finally got to a point where she told me to stop talking to her about Him because she didn't want to hear anymore. I continued to pray for her, and nine years later, when Dan and I were in Montana, I got a call from her. She wanted to find me because she heard my dad had passed away and wanted to send condolences and say how much she loved him. But the main reason she wanted to find me was to say, "You were right!" She had come to the Lord and wanted me to know. HALLELUJAH!!!”

Maybe today’s episode triggered something you’d like to share. Join the conversation, as some of our listeners have. I’m easy to reach. Let me know at [email protected]..

LINKS AND RESOURCES:

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