Have you ever had a conversation with someone about prayer and walked away wondering about how two people could have such different perspectives about and experiences with the same thing? Have you ever heard a sermon or read a book about prayer and very little of it resonated with your experience?

Most of us probably have.

The reason people practice and experience prayer so differently could be explained by the model of human development known as spiral dynamics. Spiral dynamics observes human development as a series of levels which cannot be skipped or avoided. Certainly, people can get stuck at a level and can often be stratified among multiple levels in how they live. However, as people continue to grow and develop, a common pattern has emerged, and spiral dynamics explains that.

Spiral dynamics is a tool that can be used to explain so much of life and human interaction. I think it might help us understand why we talk about and experience prayer so differently.

Let me explain.

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Beige

The beige level of spiral dynamics is about basic survival. At this level, a person’s only concern is staying alive and having the things necessary for survival such as food and shelter.

Think here of an infant child whose only concern in life is getting fed, getting changed, being held, and sleeping.

At the beige level, prayer is completely uncomplicated. It is a cry for the immediate necessities of survival. God, help.

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Purple

The purple level of spiral dynamics is when a person begins to recognize the tribe in which they live, primarily their family. At the purple level, the survival of the tribe is the primary concern, and there is a recognition that there can be a cause-and-effect component to the universe. Rain and sun makes plants grow. As a result, people at the purple level develop rituals and traditions designed to influence this cause and effect. It is at this stage of development that things like rain dances come into being. Some call this level of development the “magical” or “mythical” level.

Think here of a toddler whose whole life revolves around their family. They loves Disney movies that are full of magic and reinforce the values of the family unit.

At the purple level, prayer becomes a corporate function. There is a belief that the more people who are praying about a specific request, the more likely the desired outcome will be. Also, at the purple level, the content of prayer is often directly connected to the physical world, such as physical health, good weather for an event, or even who is going to win a football game.

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Red

The red level of spiral dynamics is when a person begins to express their autonomy from the tribe. It’s a stage of development in which people are empowered to be themselves and begin to own their lives and space. They take what they believe to be rightfully theirs.

Think here of a rebellious teenager who is testing the boundaries, finding their own voice, preparing to leave their family and start college, and branching out on their own for the first time.

At the red level, prayer takes on a militaristic form. It is at this level that people with prayer requests begin to recruit “prayer warriors” who will best be able to take up their cause in prayer. At this stage, prayer can also be conceived of as a weapon in a cosmic struggle between the forces of good and the forces of evil. Prayer walks, name and claiming things in prayer, and even imprecatory prayers are all examples of red prayers.

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Blue

The blue level of spiral dynamics is when a person realizes that to survive in a civilaization they need to begin to live by the rules of society. It is here that the laws that guide people’s behavior become a primary motivating force. At blue, a person lives by an accepted (and often written-down) code. People find their identity in the civilized and established group.

Think here of the recent college graduate who is getting a job, settling down, learning to pay their bills on time, buying a home, and becoming a contributing member of society.

At the blue level, prayer becomes civilized. Prayer is often about following a pattern and developing a routine. At blue, people may pray using a system like ACTS – adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication. They might have a quiet time that includes journaling as a prayer practice. Also at blue, some people will discover written or liturgical prayers that help them identify with a particular religious tradition.

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Orange

The orange level of spiral dynamics is when a person wants more than what conforming to the civilization can offer and begins to push toward their own success. They want advancement and are willing to work hard to achieve it. Getting ahead, whether at work or at home, becomes the driving force.

Think here about the person who goes back to school so that they can get a promotion at their job or the person who quits their 9-to-5 job to chase their dreams.

At the orange level, prayer can get commercialized. People being seeking out books, classes, and other resources that can help them be successful at prayer. One classic example of this is the Prayer of Jabez book that was wildly popular and faddish in the year 2000 because it taught people to pray an obscure biblical prayer about their “territory being expanded.”

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Green

The green level of spiral dynamics is when a person realizes that there is more to life than success. They begin to become aware of problems in society and around the globe that need to be addressed. They find themselves interested in hearing the voices of others and validating multiple perspectives. It is at green that people become more pluralistic and start valuing things like coexistence.

Think here of the successful person who starts to get a bigger view of the world. Suddenly, they care about the planet, where their clothes and food are sourced, and their carbon footprint. How they vote might change for the first time in their lives.

At the green level, prayer becomes less about getting things from God. A common green mantra for prayer is that “prayer is not about changing God, but it is about changing me.” People at this stage might discover prayers from other traditions or even other religions and find that they are deeply resonating with them.

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Yellow

The yellow level of spiral dynamics is when a person becomes aware of the whole spiral. They begin to see the value and usefulness of each of the other levels. Paradoxically, they recognize that not all voices and perspectives are equally valid and yet they seek a holistic view of all things. Non-dualistic thinking begins to emerge in yellow.

Think here of the person who is able to exhibit wisdom, discernment, grace, and non-judgment in perfect balance. At yellow, people become thought leaders.

At the yellow level, prayer becomes much less about the words. Prayer is experienced as meditation, mindfulness, and contemplation. At this level, prayer doesn’t have to be something that is separate from any other part of life, for everything done with mindfulness is prayer.

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Turquoise

The turquoise level of spiral dynamics is exceedingly rare. People at this level have achieved a type of transcendence and peace that few can conceive of.

Think here of a guru.

At the turquoise level, prayer is a mystical experience of oneness with God and all. People at this level often have metaphysical experiences that defy categorization and logic.

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What do you think? Could spiral dynamics explain why we often talk past one another when we talk about prayer?

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