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©2014  The  Leadership  Institute.  Website:  SpiritualLeadership.com/  Email:  info@tli.cc  Phone:  (888)  880-­‐4TLI  (4854)       �  1

Integrating  Spiritual  Formation   and  Leadership  Development

Prayer of Recollection!Background!When  we  think  of  the  Protestant  Reformation,  we  evangelicals  usually  think  of  the  reforms  started  by  Martin  Luther  and  his  followers.    But  the  Church  at  that  time  had  many  believers  championing  reform  in  many  areas.    Some  of  these  believers,  in  Spain,  saw  the  need  for  a  reformation  of  the  heart.    Tired  of  hardheartedness  and  weak  conviction  among  their  congregation,  and  themselves,  they  saw  that  one  way  to  combat  these  inclinations  of  the  soul  was  through  entering  into  the  presence  of  the  Lord.  The  author  of  Hebrews  exhorts  the  Church  "to  approach  God's  throne  of  grace  with  conXidence,  so  that  we  may  receive  mercy  and  Xind  grace  to  help  us  in  our  time  of  need"  (Hebrews  4:16).  !Prayer  from  this  perspective  was  presence,  loving  presence,  which  allowed  oneself  to  be  with  the  Lord.    It  is  in  this  vein  that  we  introduce  to  you  the  Prayer  of  Recollection,  which  leads  us  through  a  rhythm  of  prayers  that  help  us  look  over  our  day  and  see  God's  movements  in  it.      !The Practice!CONFESS  !First,  confess  those  places  where  you  may  have  made  other  things  Xirst  and  foremost  before  Jesus.    In  what  areas  have  you  placed  your  trust  that  are  other  than  Jesus?  !Examples:    !“I  am  what  I  do,”  “I  am  what  I  have,”  “I  am  a  spouse,”  “I  am  a  church  volunteer,”  “I  am  a  provider,”  “I  am  an  employee,”  “I  am  a  son.”  !REMIND  !Talk  with  the  Lord  about  who  you  are  in  Him.    This  is  more  than  what  you  do…it  is  who  you  are…who  He  says  you  are.  Write  down  those  things  that  come  to  mind.  !Examples:    !“I  am  a  beloved  son  or  daughter  of  God”  “I  am  united  with  the  Holy  Spirit”  “I  am  chosen  by  the  King  of  the  Universe”  “I  have  been  adopted  as  an  heir  with  Christ”  

©2014  The  Leadership  Institute.  Website:  SpiritualLeadership.com/  Email:  info@tli.cc  Phone:  (888)  880-­‐4TLI  (4854)    �2

Integrating  Spiritual  Formation   and  Leadership  Development

Prayer of Recollection!The Practice!CONSIDER  !Consider  for  a  moment  how  you  have  been  praying  to  God  in  recent  months.    Do  you  approach  Him  as  one  who  would  grant  you  whatever  you  ask?    Does  He  have  a  will  that  you’re  consulting?    Do  you  expect  Him  to  be  controlled  by  you?    Receive  His  grace  for  you  where  you  are,  and  remember  that  He  wants  your  growth  far  more  than  you  do.      !List  some  of  the  ways  you  pray  to  God,  what  feelings  this  evokes  in  you,  and  areas  of  your  life  where  you  see  God  molding  you  more  into  the  image  of  His  Son.  These  may  be  places  of  growth  for  you.  !PRAY  !In  closing,  pray  a  prayer  like  this  to  the  Lord:    “God,  whatever  I  am  to  become,  I  want  to  do  it  in  you  and  through  abiding  in  Christ.    Thank  you  that  whatever  I  am,  it  is  only  because  you  allow  it.”      !Ask  God  to  help  you  to  abide  in  Him,  because  you  can’t  do  it  on  your  own.    You  can  only  do  it  through  Him.  He  knows  you  and  wants  to  help  you.    Ask  Him  to  continue  showing  you  this  week  more  of  the  ways  you  are  in  Him  (as  in  “Remind”  above)  and  to  celebrate  those  as  you  close  out  your  day.      !