LEARNING
Faith Integration
How to: Incorporate Prayer into a BlessingFilled Life By Andrea Raines
W “Two days, two moments of blessing in my teaching. A mezzo student of mine accidentally hit a clear as a bell high F6 as she overshot the written pitch by a 4th. This, of course, resulted in gales of wide-eyed laughter. I should also mention that this lesson was outside and likely the entire campus heard it. [COVID restrictions] Needless to say I am reevaluating her repertoire. Then, a performance major asked in her second of my two advanced diction classes, ‘Is this the last diction class we have?’ She was sad to hear that it was. I love it when my students start to love what they do, not because they have to because I’m their teacher. But because they have learned to love something amazing and good. Praising God for joy in my teaching.” — Dr. Jennifer Luiken Professor of Music, Vocal Performance
6 CSU magazine
hat is prayer? This is quite the openended question, ripe for interpretation and discussion. Likely, our colleagues, friends, and family are familiar with the concept, and speaking about your prayer life is not an uncommon occurrence. Let us ask ourselves, how commonplace have we made prayer in our everyday? I don’t pretend to have all of the answers nor be your go-to spiritual advisor. I, too, am a busy working spouse and parent, who wonders at how quickly the hours have slipped by. I do, however, have the habit of prayer, the desire to deepen my relationship with God, and the honesty of human frailty.
you drive to campus (swipe the smartphone only with the car in Park, please), take care of housework, (much better than TV to fold the laundry) or as you tidy up and lock your office door for the evening. 5. Give yourself grace. Nothing in this earthly life is foolproof, and we are imperfect beings. If intentional prayer escapes you one day, remember that God desires our flawed hearts, not perfection. Turn to the Lord in very honest, conversational prayer as you would a trusted friend. (contined on page 7)
Foolproof Steps to an Abundant Prayer Life: 1. Decide why you wish to incorporate more regular prayer. We must identify our why to sustain our commitment. 2. Identify your preferred type(s) of prayer: meditative, spontaneous, prayer journaling, song, prayer walks, contemplative, conversational, communal, or repetitive to name a few. 3. Identify your preferred location for prayer: specific room, chapel, outdoors, in the car. 4. Identify and seize opportunities to naturally interject prayer into your day. One of the blessings of this digital age is the spiritual aids available at our fingertips. Just a few sweeps of the smartphone can access individual or communal prayer as
Andrea Raines is an instructor in the College of Nursing and assists with the Cover the Campus prayer project.
Fall 2021, vol.31 no.3
