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We are PLCPC: Transform Our World - Thin Space Location Prayer

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” The familiar line from Matthew 28 that we heard about in worship this week calls us to exclude no nation, no place, no person from a chance to be transformed by God’s love. One of the ways we can be a part of transforming God’s world is by praying in all places for all people. Our location prayer practice this week will help us do this.

People talk about “thin spaces” as places in our world were the veil between our world and the divine feels particularly thin. This might be a place of great beauty or special stillness, but it can be anywhere in which the place itself makes it easier for you to feel close to God.

For the first part of our prayer practice, go to a place like that, spend a moment feeling the Holy Spirit all around you in that place, and then say a huge, grand prayer for the transformation of our world. You can pray for the end to all wars, for reconciliation among all people, for the divisions in our country to be healed, for the love of God, grace of Christ, and presence of the Holy Spirit to become real to us all so that our souls will be restored and the whole world will be made new.

But don’t say Amen! Not yet. Go home first.

Right when you get home, in whatever grubby corner you normally kick off your shoes, stop and realize that God’s continual presence makes that plain space just as sacred and holy as any “thin space.” Spend a moment recognizing the Holy Spirit’s presence in that plain space and say another huge, grand prayer for transformation adding a prayer of thanksgiving that God’s love is alive in all places and that we are called to exclude no place and no one from the transforming power of God’s love shining in and through us.

Then say Amen and let it be so?

Take a picture of your thin space and your plain space and share them on social media tagging @pointlomachurch using #WeArePLCPC

We are PLCPC: Strengthen the Church - We Are One Body Prayer Practice

1 Corinthians 12:12-26, the text from worship this week, uses the human body as a metaphor for Christ alive in the world through communities of faith.  We are all parts of the Body of Christ and each different part has its role strengthening and sharing in the joy of the whole.  In our prayer practice this week we’ll be using the body as a way to pray for the strength of our church.  As we pray for the whole body, we strengthen that whole body.

 You can do this prayer two ways: If you have a full-length mirror at home you can use that.  If you don’t have one or that feels too uncomfortable, use the image of a body on the back side of this page instead.

• Start your time of prayer by giving thanks to God for your body.  Give thanks for each part of your body.  For the gift of it.  For just what it is.
•  If there are parts of your body that have pain or cause you discomfort, name them before God and ask for healing or reconciliation with that part of you.
• Now that you have prayed for your body as yourself, look in the mirror or at the image.
• See your body as the Body of Christ and say a prayer of praise
• See your body as the Church Universal and say a prayer of intercession
• See your body as PLCPC and pray for each part:
  • Head - Our Leaders on Session making faithful decisions.
  • Shoulders - Our Pastors preaching, teaching, guiding.
  • Torso - Our Congregation living as disciples.
  • Right Hand - Our Staff working to do God’s will.
  • Left Hand - Our Deacons caring and empowering others to care.
  • Knees - Our Children and Youth flexible and active in faith.
  • Feet - Our Volunteers who support all that we do in the name of Christ.

 If you like, write or draw some of your prayers on the image of the body on the back and post a photo on social media tagging @pointlomachurch using #WeArePLCPC