Practice 2: Prayer
Prayer is one of the most elusive practices for some Christians and the most simplistic for others. Why is that? Why are some “prayer warriors” (which makes it sound like much more fun then it actually is) but I struggle to do more than just the “Holy crap! Help!” prayers?
Jesus spent time in solitude, but also time praying. There’s something that has been lost in the generations since he set an example for us in Matthew 5—this is how you should pray: Our Father, who art…. Life should be a conversation with God. Like a conversation with anyone else.
The reason it’s become so obscure is this: talking face to face with someone forces me to either be honest or hide. For many of us we’ve been hiding behind stolen identities for so long that our own God doesn't even comprehend our talks with him. We try to impress others, communicate with others. The last thing we try to do, typically, is simply talk.
Read John 17
This is Jesus praying for his disciples. Remember that this is literary—poetic because of the context and date. In the day it was spoken, this would’ve sounded much different than what had been the example for so long.
List the categories of things that you notice Jesus pray for:
Now spend a few moments in silence and then transition into a conversation with God. Listen to what he’s pressing on your heart. He’s in control—discern between yourself and God and let his thoughts prompt yours. If you’re like me and have a hard time focusing, you may want to have this conversation on paper—writing both your requests but also his responses.
Prayer is one of the most elusive practices for some Christians and the most simplistic for others. Why is that? Why are some “prayer warriors” (which makes it sound like much more fun then it actually is) but I struggle to do more than just the “Holy crap! Help!” prayers?
Jesus spent time in solitude, but also time praying. There’s something that has been lost in the generations since he set an example for us in Matthew 5—this is how you should pray: Our Father, who art…. Life should be a conversation with God. Like a conversation with anyone else.
The reason it’s become so obscure is this: talking face to face with someone forces me to either be honest or hide. For many of us we’ve been hiding behind stolen identities for so long that our own God doesn't even comprehend our talks with him. We try to impress others, communicate with others. The last thing we try to do, typically, is simply talk.
Read John 17
This is Jesus praying for his disciples. Remember that this is literary—poetic because of the context and date. In the day it was spoken, this would’ve sounded much different than what had been the example for so long.
List the categories of things that you notice Jesus pray for:
Now spend a few moments in silence and then transition into a conversation with God. Listen to what he’s pressing on your heart. He’s in control—discern between yourself and God and let his thoughts prompt yours. If you’re like me and have a hard time focusing, you may want to have this conversation on paper—writing both your requests but also his responses.
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