Show Notes
What comes to mind when you picture God, and where did that picture come from? In this episode of The Privilege of Prayer, Nerida Ashcroft and Alison Shaw explore how childhood experiences, life events, and even well-meaning teaching can quietly distort our view of who God is. Whether we picture Him as distant, disappointed, or demanding, those images shape the way we approach Him in prayer, often without us realising it. Nerida and Alison unpack why we can't put God in a box built from our own experiences, and how Scripture invites us into a fresh, ongoing revelation of His true character. If your view of God feels small, painful, or incomplete, this episode is an invitation to let Him redefine it. Support The Privilege of Prayer: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?utm_source=omnystudio&utm_medium=link See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
More from Privilege of Prayer
Nerida and Alison explore the spiritual and scientific benefits of gratitude, linking the Old Testament's "thank offering" to modern studies showing thankfulness improves mental and physical wellbeing. They discuss the biblical story of the ten lepers and Paul's instruction to "give thanks in everything," highlighting that gratitude is a choice and a mindset shift rather than just a reaction to good circumstances.
Nerida and Alison explore the Lord's Prayer, not as a rote recitation but as a living, relational conversation Jesus modelled for His disciples. They unpack the beautiful progression woven through it - from worship and surrender, to daily dependence, repentance, forgiveness, protection, and adoration - all flowing from the foundation of God as our loving Father.
Jesus regularly withdrew from the noise and the crowds to spend time alone with the Father. What can His example teach us about our own prayer lives? In this episode of The Privilege of Prayer, Nerida Ashcroft and Alison Shaw explore the practice of private prayer and why it matters. She encourages listeners to follow Jesus' example by intentionally carving out time and space to draw near to God, away from distraction, to refresh, re-centre, and reconnect with Him. Whether your days feel packed or your prayer life feels neglected, this episode is an invitation to make room for that quiet, personal time with God. Support The Privilege of Prayer: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?utm_source=omnystudio&utm_medium=link See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Who are you, really, in God's eyes? In this episode of The Privilege of Prayer, Nerida Ashcroft and Alison Shaw dig into the stories we tell ourselves, the ones shaped by negative self-talk, past experiences, and other people's opinions, and hold them up against what God actually says about us. They explore what it means to build our identity not on performance, feelings, or approval, but on the truth that in God's eyes, we are wanted, adopted, and fully loved. This is a conversation about rewiring the narrative and letting that truth transform the way we come to God in prayer. Support The Privilege of Prayer: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?utm_source=omnystudio&utm_medium=link See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Is your prayer life shaped by what you know about God, or by actually knowing Him? In this episode of The Privilege of Prayer, Nerida Ashcroft and Alison Shaw dig into a question that changes everything: are we asking God for things, or are we actually pursuing a relationship with Him? Prayer isn't just a list of requests. It's an invitation to know God personally, the way you'd know a close friend rather than a distant acquaintance. Nerida and Alison explore what it looks like to move from knowing facts about God to genuinely knowing Him, and how that shift reshapes not just what we pray for, but why we pray at all. They share honest reflections on their own journeys with God, the moments that deepened their trust in Him, and what our prayers can reveal about the true state of our relationship with Him. Whether you feel like you know God well or you're still figuring out who He is to you, come and join the conversation. Support The Privilege of Prayer: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?utm_source=omnystudio&utm_medium=link See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.