A new year is upon us, so you know what that means: reflections on 2015 and hopes for 2016. Here’s what that looks like in terms of prayer beads and our Studio:
Top 5 Moments in 2015 for Prayerworks Studio, me, and those of us who love prayer beads:
5. Youth2015: thousands of United Methodist youth gathering in Orlando, FL for this quadrennial event. Among other great activities they took time to make more than 4,000 sets of prayer beads for missions.
4. Watch us grow! 2015 marked significant growth for Prayerworks Studio. My sister, Jackie, joined us as the Director of Marketing. We built our own website; launched our daily meditation series; began a monthly Giveaway series; started podcasting for The Upper Room’s Academy for Spiritual Formation; increased our prayer bead kit business; created new prayer bead designs; and much more.
3. eLearning! We partnered with The Upper Room to launch the eLearning Course based on my first book, A Bead and a Prayer: A Beginner’s Guide to Protestant Prayer Beads. Videos, audio recordings, and a PDF of the book – it’s all there!
2. Book #4 (for those of you who are counting, it’s the 3rd one on prayer beads) is officially in the works and I’m about 1/3 of the way through it. Focused on how to use prayer beads to heal from trauma and other wounds, this book is the culmination of my healing journey (at least, as it is at this point in time) and work with prayer beads. I’m really excited about it!
And the #1 prayer bead moment of 2015?
1. Prayer beads with soldiers! As I shared in an earlier post, I’ve been working with soldiers with PTSD, showing them how prayer beads can help them heal their wounds, calm their anxiety, and deepen their connection with God. My time with them has been profound, and I am learning so much. I’m looking forward to continued sessions in 2016!
In the midst of these moments, there were many wonderful ones made up of your testimonies, stories, and ideas, all speaking to the impact that prayer beads are having in your spiritual lives. All this tells me that 2016 holds a great deal of promise. Together, we’ll watch for signs of God’s deep love in our lives, and throughout our world.
May God bless all of you in 2016.
I just found your site yesterday and what a way to start 2016. This is my first email and to read about your work with ptsd makes my heart sing. I am a um for years and working on an a walk to Emma’s team in march. Talk about a God moment…my blessings to all of you
Marge –
I’m so pleased that you can join us! I’m thrilled that you feel a connection to our work on PTSD – it is an issue that is close to my heart – and that you are working on a team for Walk to Emmaus! That’s wonderful! Please continue to stay connected.
Peace, Kristen
I have been following you since your article several years ago in the Upper Room. I’ve made prayer beads, and even taught classes at our church. I love everything about your ministry.
I have been diagnosed with stage 3b lung cancer and need help with a healing prayer. I’m of course, praying for a miracle. I will appreciate any suggestions you have. Thank you.
Elizabeth –
I’m so pleased to hear from you! However, I’m devastated to hear about your cancer diagnosis. We will certainly be praying for your healing. And if you need help with a healing prayer, I can offer up two that are in my book, Another Bead, Another Prayer. In the section on Intercession there is a prayer for “Interceding for Our Own Healing,” as well as one for “Interceding for Others’ Healing.” I think both can offer you ways of praying for healing. If you will email me at kristen (at) prayerworksstudio.com, I’ll send you a PDF of the two prayers.
Above all, I pray you will know that God is always present with you in this time of illness, fear, hope for healing, etc.
Peace, Kristen