The Disciple’s Reflect on Jesus Prayer

A Prayer

Our Father who is in heaven, thank you that in Christ we cannot be condemned for inadequately praying or failing to pray. Thank you that whenever and however we fail, you - Lord Christ - become our advocate, take our place and plead our cause. Thank you that you do this based on your righteousness and not on our fervour or piety. Thank you that you do this for our prayer life. Thank you that the basis of prayer is to dialogue with you, our Father, through your Son, in the Holy Spirit. Thank you for graciously drawing us into this amazing activity. May our prayers never become formulas of superstition, but heartfelt conversations with you. May we pray as you taught us to pray:

Our Father in heaven, holy is your name.

Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our sins as

we forgive those who sin against us.

Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory, now and forever. Amen.

Journal Exercise

The disciples had left home and work, participated in two missions in which they preached the kingdom, healed the sick, raised the dead and cast out demons. It is only then that they asked Jesus to teach them how to pray. Write a prayer modelled on the prayer Jesus taught us to pray.

Some Quotes

There are churches with a senior minister, associate minister, minister of music, Minister of youth, and Minister of Education, but where, oh where, is there a church with a Minister of Prayer? There is no field more unexplored in Christian experience and possibility than this limited field of prayer.

– Leonard Ravenhill

God is interested in your prayers because he is interested in you.

– Bill Hybels

A Challenging Prayer

The challenge for today is to call on God for such an outpouring of his Spirit that his people will be filled with prayerful compassion for the lost in all the world, and that he will multiply the number of well trained persons lovingly dedicated to the creation of parishes, congregations and fellowships by proclaiming the gospel.