Prayer itself makes us anxious because it uncovers fears we can ignore as long as we don’t engage deeply, thoughtfully, vulnerably with God. -Tyler Staton

There are so many books about prayer, but sometimes we need to be reminded that prayer can include both silence and listening for God’s voice. This conversation with Nancy Raatz,* Pastor of Mental Health and Recovery at Evergreen Christian Community in Olympia, WA, is inspired by Tyler Staton’s Living Like Monks, Praying Like Fools: An Invitation to the Wonder and Mystery of Prayer. We talk about the wonder, disappointment, and insecurities we may feel about prayer, and we spend a little time talking about little “t” traumas, hearing stories of harm, and healing hurt that comes from our own leaders in ministry.

Resources Mentioned & Affiliate Links:*

To Be Told: God Invites You to Coauthor Your Future by Dan AllenderAllender Center

Are you There God? It’s Me Margaret by Judy Blume

Starring Sally J. Freedman as Herself by Judy Blume

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. MontgomeryEmily of New Moon by L.M. Montgomery

The Soul of Shame by Curt Thompson

The Deepest Place: Suffering and the Formation of Hope by Curt Thompson

The Ballot and the Bible Kaitlyn Schiess

Praying Like Monks, Living like Fools: An Invitation to the Wonder and Mystery of Prayer by Tyler Staton

Prayer by Richard Foster

*Contact Nancy at Nancy [dot] Raatz [at] evergreenpnw.com or follow her on Facebook.**Clarification from your host: During the conversation, I said that Nancy and I are both part of Assemblies of God World Missions. What I really meant is that we are both Assemblies of God ministers. Only Nancy was a part of AGWM.

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