Basic Beliefs: Lord, Teach Us To Pray - AFC 1997

With One Accord

1 Cor. 12:12­20, 26­27; Acts 1:14; Phil. 1:9­11; James 5:13­18

Part of sharing life is sharing prayer.

Prayer expresses our relationship with God. This relationship always has a communal dimension‹we are connected, we are but parts of the body of Christ. Our prayer life, then, always has a broader context than just our individual lives.

Communal prayer
Shared prayer‹pulling together
within a group at the same time
across large distances
across periods of time
Builds and expresses a common bond

Intercessory prayer
Praying for others
How does it "work"?
Prayer certainly affects awareness of the one praying, but by what mechanism does it affect the object of the prayer?
We don't know. It just seems to be a natural part of our life with God‹just as natural as breathing.
When we pray, we open ourselves to God and God's healing powers. We orient ourselves toward God and allow ourselves to become channels of God's love. It is not our prayers that contain power, but God's Holy Spirit, working through us that brings about reconciliation and transformation of old creations into new.

Examples
Paul's prayer for the church at Phillipi: Phil. 1:9­11.
€If you could tailor Paul's prayer for this church, what would you include?

James exhorted Christians to pray together in all circumstances. James 5:13­18.
€What place does confession of sin and prayers for healing have in our faith community?

€What and who has shaped your understanding and practice of prayer?
€When does prayer seem most genuine and meaningful to you?
€Which is easier for you, praying alone or as a part of a group?
€Do you appreciate the prayers of others on your behalf?
€Where does our shared prayer life have room for improvement?

Prayer is our response to our awareness of God‹how are we responding?