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Pray
Prayer is the way a disciple enjoys an intimate
relationship with God. Prayer can be private or
public, ritualized or conversational, silent or
out loud, spoken or sung, words or action,
simple or profound. Through prayer God’s will is
discerned and greater clarity is gained for our
journey. Prayer is powerful. Indeed, God’s
creative, redeeming and healing power is often
directed through prayer. Jesus modeled the power
and importance of prayer and provides our
inspiration to embrace a prayerful stance toward
all moments of life. One of the key ways Jesus
showed his love for his Father was by regularly
engaging in prayer. Throughout the Gospels we
read how Jesus “went up to a mountain to pray”
or “knelt down and prayed” or “continued all
night in prayer.” As Jesus prayed, he gained a
clearer sense of who he was (his identity) and
what he was to do (his mission). Before he
taught or healed, before choosing the Twelve or
submitting his will to the Father in the Garden
of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed. Whatever the
opportunity or challenge, Jesus turned to his
Father first and sought the guidance of God.
Prayer is Adoration (praise, honoring God),
Confession (saying “I’m sorry,” acknowledging
sin, that “I can’t do it on my own”),
Thanksgiving (saying thanks, counting blessings,
allowing God’s perspective to shape life) and
Supplication (asking for, praying for others,
petitionary in character) - ACTS. The Lord’s
Prayer and Luther’s interpretation in the Small
Catechism provide ample instruction for the
content and elements of prayer and a prayerful
life.
Part of a disciple’s
job description is to pray frequently.
At St. John's Prayer is offered
through the following groups:
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