On the Podcast: Slowing Down

Just need some rest for your soul? Our hope is that this week’s podcasts will prompt that in your life as you seek the Lord. First up, we chat with an author who’s written a beautiful book on why “slow” is exactly where we need to be, then we chat about how to practically get rid of distractions and end with a prayer that you can press play on whenever you feel your anxiety start rising.

**Grabbed your prayer journal for 2022? They’re available now in our shop! **

Ep. 34: Growing Slow with Jennifer Dukes Lee

In this episode we talk with author Jennifer Dukes Lee who has written a book called “Growing Slow”, about the slow growth that is essential to a thriving prayer life. She also gives us a glimpse into her personal prayer life and discusses one of the main concepts in her book, how our spiritual growth relates to the physical seasons.

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Jennifer Dukes Lee is the author of several books including Growing Slow and It’s All Under Control. She also wrote the forward of my book Grumpy Mom Takes a Holiday. She and her husband, Scott, live on the fifth-generation Lee family farm, where they are raising crops, pigs, and two beautiful humans.

Jennifer’s Website | Jennifer’s Instagram

Some highlights from today’s episode:

• [1:37] Jennifer’s current prayer routine
• [8:11] The benefits of slowing down in prayer
• [14:15] How Jennifer has had to be patient in prayer
• [20:20] A practical way Jennifer prays for her daughters
• [26:00] How seasons relate to our spiritual growth
• [34:00] The specifics of our “winter” growth
• [37:45] How Jennifer learned to pray
• [42:05] Where Jennifer would like to keep growing in prayer

Things mentioned in today’s episode:

• Growing Slow by Jennifer Dukes Lee

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Ep. 35: How To Get Rid of Distractions

It feels like there are so many places to lose steam when it comes to prayer. Making time for prayer is always the first obstacle but often, we can FINALLY make time and then something silly distracts us. We end up carving out time for prayer and still not actually spending it praying. We’ve all been there, so first off, just know you are not alone!!

In today’s episode, I want to share 16 tips to help you get rid of distractions when you are praying.

Things mentioned in today’s episode:

• Prayer Journal by Val Marie Paper
• Episode 2 on Increasing Your Attention Span
• 7 reasons prayer feels boring

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Ep. 36: A Prayer for slowing down

When we’re feeling anxious or out of control, sometimes we just need the words to say.

Here is a guided prayer to for finding calm in Christ:

• Identify what’s causing your anxiety.
• Notice and acknowledge your feelings and symptoms.
• Repeat “You are fully in control” until you know it’s true.
• Meditate on why you can trust the Lord.
• Share with the Lord the lies you are taking captive right now.
• What truth do I need to remember in this moment?

VERSES:

• Psalm 91:1-2
• Isaiah 26:3
• Proverbs 3:5-6

WHERE TO GO FROM HERE:

• Identify in the presence of the Lord what’s causing this anxious feeling.
• Meditate on the characteristics of the Lord and determine if He is trustworthy. He 100% is but talk it out so your whole self can embrace what your head knows.

This prayer has been adapted from my book Springboard Prayers. If you were encouraged by it and would like 124 other prayers to read when you don’t have the words, grab a copy at valmariepaper.com.

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