FALL CHALLENGE

As in years past, we are setting aside the month of October to reset and reengage our devotion to God with a specific and intensive communal spiritual practice. We call this our Fall Challenge, and this year we are praying St. Francis's Prayer of Peace daily. Together, we trust the Holy Spirit to breathe fresh meaning into these words, renewing our minds and shaping us to live as instruments of God's peace.

What are we doing exactly?

Every day from October 1-31, pray this prayer:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Each Morning, take some time to reflect - "What is God inviting me to do today?"

Each Evening, take some time to reflect - "How have I lived the prayer out today?"

That's it?
Yes, that simple. We believe the Holy Spirit is active in our lives, and we believe that by reading this prayer daily, He will renew our minds and help us to open ourselves to different ways God wants to form us.

What if I want to do more?
If you'd like to go deeper, keep scrolling for events and resources that extend this prayer into your daily walk with God.

EVENTS

• Wednesday, October 8 from 6-7 pm: Prayer Walk
  Come join us for a prayer walk around the River neighborhood.
  
• Wednesday, October 15 from 7-8:30 pm: Dive Deep Into Peace
  Join us to dive deep into what peace looks like in all areas of our lives.
• Wednesday, October 22 from 7-8:30 pm: Going Deeper
  Join us for an opportunity to delve deeper and allow God to use the peace prayer to help grow and transform us. We will do this in various ways, including participating in spiritual practices, prayer, and tactile activities.

PRAYER

• Prayer Walk App
• How to Prayer Walk Guide by 24/7 prayer
• "Father, hold me in love today as I seek to know You in the wild and unexpected places... Surprise me with a vision of Your glory for the world." -By Sarah Yardley

PODCASTS

• Who is My Neighbor by Practicing the Way
• Mpho Tutu van Furth on Forgiveness by the Pocket Contemplative
• One with God and One Another Devotional by Prayers of Rest
• Reflections on Love in an Age of Violence by The Best of You podcast

REFLECTION EXAMEN FOR END OF DAY

• Praise, Reverence, Service Examen
• General Examen Steps

ARTICLES

• How to Love Your Neighbor - C.S. Lewis
• How to Be with Those who Suffer- Trevor Hudson
• The Art of Seeing Others - interview with David Brooks

SONGS

Open Up by the Brilliance

WEBSITES

Spiritual First Aid - how to come alongside those who are struggling 

CHILDREN RESOURCES

The Prayer of St. Francis book by Giuliano Ferri

Where there is injury, pardon

What you need: a container of water (or a natural body of water outside!), small stones

What to do: Take the small stones and drop them into the water. Watch the ripple that starts where the pebble hits the water and spreads out across the water. Think about the things that you have done, that have caused hurt or conflict with other people. Reflect upon the impact of your own words and actions, and how these can prevent peace.

Then, as the ripples begin to settle, pray and ask God to bring peace to situations in your daily life, particularly in the situations you thought of before where your words or actions led to conflict. Watch as the water stills, and the impact of the stone disappears completely – thank God for the peace and forgiveness that he brings to our lives.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love

Brainstorm a list of good deeds, such as kindness, compassion, and generosity, that the children can do. As they suggest ideas, they can hold up a picture of a light or turn on a small light to signify sharing God's love. Then look at your calendar and decide which activities might fit in the month.

Where there is doubt, faith

Blindfold the children and have them all follow a parent or other child's voice or sounds IN FAITH around a designated area and eventually the children should follow "blindfolded" and end up at the STOPPING area! Discuss with your kids how difficult it is to follow instructions when blindfolded. Then remove the blindfolds and have children follow the person to the ENDING spot again and how easy it was to FOLLOW without the blindfolds.