Jerry Dowdall

Stoplight Prayer Jerry Dowdall

The Stoplight Prayer is an innovative approach to prayer that helps establish and maintain a habit of praying in the midst of our time-limited, stressful lives. This moment-to-moment prayer approach is very practical, for it does not require a special place, situation or time that is set aside for prayer. It emphasizes short brief prayers while doing normal day-to-day activities such as driving, tasks at work or when at home. It is similar to Brother Lawrence's Practicing His Presence classic method, Although the prayers may be short or brief in nature, there are significant purposes of such prayers. They can be used to petition the Lord to meet significant needs-be them for and individual or for others. More importantly they can be a prayer platform to help transform a person to become more Christ-like. This may include becoming more patient, discerning the Lord's voice, trusting more and surrendering to Jesus. Most assuredly pursuing and applying the greatest and second greatest commandment which is to love God and to love others. The Journal and Meditations exemplify the prayer method for it reflects the author's efforts to apply the model. Discussions focus on developing Christ-like character, relational and spiritual challenges that are embedded in the desire to become more like and follow Christ. Rising out of ongoing encounters with the Lord, the author discusses the difficulties of hearing, following and applying God's will to the writer's daily actions. Topics include becoming Christ's bride, being the Lord's prisoner and hesitant warrior, being overwhelmed by the power of the Lord, resting in the Lord and wrestling with the application of Godly wisdom and discernment. Special focus is on various aspects and purposes of prayer and themes of forgiveness, surrender and love. Since the author is a professionally trained and licensed Marriage and Family Therapy, there is a discussion regarding providing such services in the Spirit Led Counselling Approach appendix. The author's integration of biblical verses, wisdom statements and stories with professional approaches to common therapeutic problems are discussed. Problems include: anxiety, depression, insomnia and establishing and maintaining love relationships. For those who enjoy poetry, the book includes a parable and several poems.