Places People Pray
A Contemplative Journal
by
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Each chapter in this book on prayer has a spiritual theme. Each chapter has a contemplative structure. For example, the chapter on REST AND BLESSING has an introductory photo for centering, scripture to contemplate, guidance questions to consider and a page for journaling and for meditation. A sample of the meditation on REST AND BLESSING includes... "What inspires us to rest in prayer? What blesses us so much that we can rest in the present place we are in and be thankful? What discipline can lead us to resting in God’s presence? When I feel anxious, these are the questions I ask. It is at times like these that I want to find the prayers that will bring me peace. Passeggiata. Passeggiata, an evening ritual and tradition in Italy, which means to stroll, walk, meander, slowly in the heart of the community district of town. It is a time to take life on a peaceful pace, observe, visit, appreciate, and be thankful for life. Special places of heart and spaces of rest and renewal are blessings. Our spiritual journey is blessed when we take time to be. This is time of few words, peaceful action, becoming one with the rhythms of creation and freedom to express thanks to the Creator. We are blessed in God’s presence. This is the essence of divine rest… the perfect balance of release and awareness. Take time to be blessed in rhythms of rest."
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About the Book
Inspired by author Karen Appleby’s childhood experiences and new insights gained from a recent trip to Italy, she finally feels comfortable and blessed in her prayer life. Even though she served in ministry professionally for thirty years until her retirement and considers herself a spiritual person, prayer had seemed a mystery. Karen firmly believes that there are many people who struggle with prayer as well. Through a creative structure of contemplative writing, photography, scripture, spiritual-guiding questions, and an opportunity for the reader to journal, Reverend Appleby leads readers through a journey on a variety of themes centered on prayer, including the presence of God, places of rest, nature, forgiveness, community, revelations, communion, blessing, and thanksgiving, just to name a few. We believe that readers interested in deepening their prayer life will find this book helpful and hopefully inspire them to practice prayer in new ways and new places. Karen highly recommends that the book be used in the soft cover form as it is a journal with places for the reader to journal whereas the ebook does not easily work for recording notes.
About the Author
Rev. Karen Appleby is a retired ordained deacon in the Desert Southwest Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Over the years, Karen has lived and ministered in the Florida, Missouri West, West Ohio, and North Georgia conferences. She has over thirty years experience in Christian education, pastoral care and counseling, and church consulting. She also coauthored with Delia Halverson the book “Creating Holy Spaces: Worship Visuals for the Revised Common Lectionary.”
Karen retired with her husband, Larry, to the mountains of Western North Carolina in 2013. In retirement, she has found new and exciting ministry settings as a volunteer.