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CREATING COMMUNITIES OF WHOLENESS WITH CHRIST AT THE CENTRE
Prayers
Luke 11.1-4 - Matthew 18.19-20
STARTING TO PRAY
It can take a lifetime of experience and searching, or it can be so easy. Prayer is nothing more or less than talking and listening with God.
Jesus gives us a model, and we’ll come to that later. But for now hold out your hand in and look at your fingers and thumb.
* Your little finger is smallest and [probably] furthest away from you, so talk to God about the people who are a long way off.
* Its hard to get your ring finger to stand up straight, so talk to God about people who are sick and find it hard to stand.
* Your middle finger is biggest and does stand tall. So talk to God about the people who lead us, in our country, our community and our churches.
* Your index finger can often point to you, so talk to God about yourself.
* Your thumb can cover and protect all the rest of your fingers, just as your family and friends can help and care for you. So talk to God about your family and friends.
And now just be quiet for a moment and listen. And then say AMEN [which means, ‘I agree’]. And realise that you’ve just talked with and listened to God, which means that you’ve prayed.
JESUS AND PRAYER
Prayer is right at the centre of Jesus’ life and ministry it was his way of talking to God and keeping going.
We grow more like Jesus when we spend time with him, talking and listening [AKA praying]. Prayer is a crucial part of following Jesus and though prayer God’s power is released into the world, in the church and in our own lives.
Alongside the example of Jesus we also have the example of the early church.
They devoted themselves to the apostle’s teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 2.42
But prayer isn’t natural or easy, we aren’t born [or born again] knowing how to pray. It’s something we learn how to do.
What has been your experience of prayer?
Has it been easy or difficult?
What happens when you pray?
What questions do you have about prayer?
FIRST STEPS FOR PRAYER
* Finding a good time – it doesn’t matter when, as long as you can be reasonably quiet and have the space and energy to focus on listening and talking with God. And like all relationships, it’s good to talk and listen with God on a regular basis. If you only make time once a month, don’t be surprised if you find it hard-going.
* Finding a good place – again it doesn’t matter where, as long as you can focus without endless distractions. Some people can pray anywhere and everywhere, some find it helpful is they have a special chair or corner in the house or somewhere else where they go for regular times of prayer.
* Planning the time – think about what you want to bring before God – that might be a confused muddle and that’s fine, prayer can help you sort it out.
* Remember in your praying to be silent and listen as well as talking. Otherwise this is just a one way conversation and they never get very far.
What might be a good time and a good place for prayer?
DIFFERENT WAYS OF PRAYING
* Praying with the Bible – use a verse and repeat it almost like a mantra, or use bible reading notes and prayers
* Praying with creation – look out and see God’s glory in creation and give thanks
* Praying with your senses – use sight and touch and smell and hearing to pray, using music, photos or paintings, to help you to focus on God and pray
* Praying with words, and silence – sometimes words are really important, sometimes we need to be silent because it’s the only way we can express what we want to ‘say’ to God and ‘hear’ God’s response.
What ways of praying have you experienced?
Which ones work for you?
What new ways of praying might you try?
PRAYING TOGETHER
Often we’ll pray on our own or as part of a church service. That’s great, but it’s also of value to pray together in small groups. When you do:
* Keep prayers short and natural
* Give your prayers a beginning, middle and end
Jesus reminds us:
Again I tell you that if two or three of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there I am with them. Matthew 18. 19-20
Even when we pray on our own we’re not really alone – be aware of Christians praying with you all around the world.
How does it feel to be part of a global prayer movement, think what can be achieved?
AS NATURAL AS BREATHING
Prayer is not just for the normal times. We can pray when we’re on top of the world and below the depths, when we’re exhausted or just don’t feel we have anything to say… Prayer is a part of our lives, as natural as breathing.
And if you don’t know where to start or don’t know what to say [often the case with me] try using the words that Jesus taught us. Pray slowly and think about what each word and phrase means.
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.