Prayer Reference - Mark 4:35–41 Where did you find yourself in the story? What was your response, if any, to Jesus? How do you engage with scripture? What’s your habit and experience with Gods written word? Your imagination is a tool, that’s used by God, to pour truth into your life. It’s where he meets you in the world of wonder and childlikeness… which I would say, is an aspect of the likeness of Jesus. What truth did you come to realize about God or yourself through imaginative prayer? ———- comment below with your experience or thoughts on this practice and join the Listening Table call at 1pm for relating and discernment together ———- When it comes to fear and identifying what you’re afraid of, to be honest, this is tricky. Fear is a trickster and can hide behind other emotions such as anger, feeling in control, feeling insecure or timid/reserved. But the truth is, everyone is afraid of something. And discovering that fear is the only way to overcome it with Jesus bringing you through it. Why uncover fear? to experience the freedom Jesus says is available to you THIS side of eternity :) If you’re struggling to identify what you’re afraid of, let’s get honest together on discernment and seeking the Lord. I offer 1- free spiritual direction session to do just that. And if today’s question puts you in a stop gap, I’d love to step into that gap with you, and see what step God is inviting you to take together.

Go through the 15 minute audio prayer practice in the classroom and share your experience, encounter with the Lord or struggle through it, below. What memory came to mind? What did Jesus want you to know about this particular memory? How did you receive his guidance through rememebering? Through the list of ‘I’m believing …’ what stood out to you? What are you believe that God’s inviting you to tell him?

Silence, Stillness, Solitude, Simplicity (surrender), Sitting with the Sovereign one: Each of these moments is an invitation. How fast the day starts, right? And hour by hour, we react and adapt to what’s in front of us in the moment. That’s not wrong. But what if your reactions were fueled by a deeper well, deeper presence, and steady stream of God with you in Spirit for the sake of your ignited, very present, day? Am I Willing? Example prompts from the guide are below: Are you willing to listen? Are you willing to stop…? Are you willing to start…? Are you willing to slow down? Are you willing to start running? Are you willing to change your mind? Your heart? Your schedule? Your relationships? Are you willing to give…? Are you willing to receive…? Comment below with how you felt through this prayer practice, what you heard, or hoped you’d hear that you didn’t, and if there was an invitation to action today. Then, Gather at the Listening Table call - 1pm Pacific Time - through the Skool video platform- we’ll Listen together in prayer and to each other, discern, and encourage. ❤️Lauren

Quick reminder of who we are around here. 😊 The Faith Experiment isn't about having the right answers. It's about making space to listen, paying attention to what God might be saying, and sharing what we discover along the way. One of my favorite parts of this community is getting to witness how differently—and yet how personally—God meets each person. Sometimes through a thought. Sometimes through a question. Sometimes through a picture, memory, scripture, or unexpected moment. And even, through silence. And honestly? Hearing what others are experiencing (or the LACK of his presence) often helps us recognize Him more clearly in our own lives. There's something powerful about beholding God's presence together and sharing what we're seeing. As one person puts language to an encounter, it often helps someone else recognize where God has already been moving in their own story. Below is a video about our 👉 June cohort (starting June 22), 👈 and there's a small change we're making this time that I'm really excited about. 👀 This month we'll be creating even more space to behold God's presence together during our live sessions and share what we're noticing in real time. Watch the video for the details. After you've watched, comment: What's one thing you've been learning, noticing, wrestling with, or grateful for lately?

I get that this practice might feel very different from how we approach scripture in Bible study. But there's a reason for that. Bible study that includes word searches, original texts, context historically, and author's intent are SO helpful in the LEFT brain approach to knowing about God. BUT, God made us with the RIGHT side of the brain too - the irrational, creative, imaginative, and non-linear side that is able to know God. (know as in experience, feel, sense, and hear) What was your experience like interacting with scripture, with God's voice, through your imaginative story-sided brain? Where did you find yourself in the story? IF YOUR STRUGGLING IDENTIFYING WHAT YOU'RE AFRAID OF: I get it's tough. And actually, fear is one of the hardest emotions to identify honestly. So think about moments of anxiety, worry, a hypercontroling state, you've found yourself in. All of these emotions point toward a deeper lying fear. They're a boat that's on top of the ocean of fear rolling under it. To find the hidden fear, ask, "Why" over and over again. Why did I feel anxious when so-and-so didn't show up? Why was I worried this morning leaving my house? Why did I turn into Super Control Mode? And then when you've answered, ask why again. You might be surprised how many layers are uncovered. This kind of conversation back and forth when sought after in prayer IS partnership with the Spirit's guidance. And if answering these questions feels impossible, ask him to reveal the answer to you through a passage of scripture coming to mind. I can't wait to hear about your time with God, and your own thoughts and feelings. I'm praying for your encounter with him.