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Several years ago, I led a circle of about thirty people in prayer once a week. On most occasions, the majority preferred to listen while I and a few others in the circle would pray. We always closed with the Lord’s Prayer and then passed the peace of Christ with one another. It was a special time of being in communion with God and each other.

One November, I decided to try something new. The goal was to move us from focusing primarily on what we wanted or needed to being centered in a posture of offering and sharing our praise to God. As we assembled for prayer, we were encouraged to think about who God is to us and then start our prayer with “God you are…” or “Lord you are…” The blank could be one word or a whole paragraph as one felt moved.

I began the prayer modeling what it might sound like. Then there was silence. Excruciating silence. It felt like an eternity. I was worried no one would say anything. But someone did. Then another person prayed and another. People who had never prayed in the circle before offered a word. Others shared more than one prayer as words that best described who God was to them quickly came to mind. There was a moment during our prayer time when it seemed as though a whirlwind had erupted and prayers were coming from all around the circle all at once. Slowly silence and a wonderful spirit of Christ’s peace filled the space. No one moved as we simply rested in it together. After closing with the Lord’s Prayer, we hugged, laughed and greeted each other with a contagious joy that touched everyone.

Hebrews 13:15 says, “…let us continually offer to God the sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.” May the praises of God be upon our lips this Thanksgiving and may we be moved by God’s spirit alive and at work among us.