Learning to Pray Prayers of Petition and Intercession

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Learning to Pray

Learning to Pray

Prayers of Petition and Intercession § The most common forms of prayer in the

Prayers of Petition and Intercession § The most common forms of prayer in the Christian tradition are: § Prayers of petition (asking God for something) § Examples: sometimes we express a desire for something specific (friend), or specific qualities (patience, courage, wisdom) § Prayers of intercession (asking God for § something for someone else) Examples: We ask for resolution of conflict, for peace in a war-torn country, for rain or healing. (Vennard, 67)

Image of God § “All these prayers indicate our desire to have God change

Image of God § “All these prayers indicate our desire to have God change or fix what we experience as wrong in our lives and in the world. § Do you image God as one who empowers or one who wields power over external events? How could these perspectives help or hinder your use of intercessory prayer? Example: If God can’t heal, why pray for healing? (Vennard, 67 -68)

Divine Intervention or Divine Participation § “Participation is different from intervention. ” § Divine

Divine Intervention or Divine Participation § “Participation is different from intervention. ” § Divine Intervention: Believing that God will intervene at any moment to make everything right. We like this because it is comforting, but God isn’t out there waiting to be called upon, God is right here with us participating in our lives. § When we view God as active in the world – participating - we can discover the power of divine intention and divine interaction. § (Vennard, 68)

“We pray knowing we are radically dependent on God even as we recognize our

“We pray knowing we are radically dependent on God even as we recognize our own responsibility. ” § Divine Intention: God’s good promise through Scripture and tradition that all of creation is good and that we are meant to live in harmony with one another. § God’s vision for us is not an easy and painless life, but God’s intention is for healing and wholeness in the midst of our struggles. § Divine Interaction: God interacts with us, supporting and encouraging us, to bring about that intention, to bring harmony and wholeness into our lives and the life of the world. Divine interaction gives us the opportunity to choose to cooperate with God. § I have a responsibility in my own healing and the healing of the world, but this healing is not all up to me – we depend on God. § Therefore we can pray to God who is present and will fulfill the promises of the Scriptures and be comforted because we are not alone even in times of struggle. (Vennard, 68 -69)

“God is multifaceted and mysterious, beyond even our wildest dreams. ” § “When we

“God is multifaceted and mysterious, beyond even our wildest dreams. ” § “When we embrace this image of God and God’s power, we may offer prayers of intercession and petition in the same we have prayed before…We do not need to stop our heartfelt prayers for the healing of a loved one or peace in the world. § But rather than praying these prayers with the expectation that God will respond by fixing what is broken, we pray knowing that God may help us attend to ways we might assume responsibility. § We pray trusting in God’s healing intention for us and the whole creation, and God’s interaction in our lives and the life of the world. God interacts with us through other people, friends, or strangers, who offer us help or support in times of need. God also often interacts with us through the written word. ” (Vennard, 70, 73)

Called to Trust § “God calls us to trust the divine intention and divine

Called to Trust § “God calls us to trust the divine intention and divine interaction in all aspects of our lives. As we develop that trust, we pray with the knowledge of God’s closeness and availability. ” (Vennard, 69)

Questions for Today: § Remember a time when you were involved in intercessory prayer

Questions for Today: § Remember a time when you were involved in intercessory prayer (praying for something for someone else or receiving the prayers of someone else). Remember this situation in as much detail as possible. Writing down your answers maybe helpful 1. Did you experience God intervening in your life or in the life of the one you were praying for? How did you know it was divine intervention? 2. Did you sense that God held an intention – a promise – in the situation that you or others were praying for? What was this intention? 3. Can you see how God interacted with you and others in the particular experience you are thinking of? Who did God interact with, and what form did the interaction take? Share your answers with your prayer partner.

Weekly Prayer Activity What are you grateful for? What are you least grateful for?

Weekly Prayer Activity What are you grateful for? What are you least grateful for? God we are grateful and we pray for your presence and guidance in the places we are least grateful.

July 22, 29, Aug. 4: Continue your daily or weekly conversations. Final Session: August

July 22, 29, Aug. 4: Continue your daily or weekly conversations. Final Session: August 12