Jesus' teaching on Prayer.

In chapter 11 of St. Luke's gospel Jesus teaches as follows:

Jesus was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.’ He said to them, ‘When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us. And do not bring us to the time of trial.’

Perseverance in Prayer

And he said to them, ‘Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, “Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.” And he answers from within, “Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.” I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs.

‘So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. - NRSV.

Prayer

In the gospels we read frequently of Jesus going off to a quiet place to pray. It was the way by which he communicated with his father. He taught his disciples to pray - see the panel to the left. As descendants of those first disciples we too should pray.

Prayer is the way by which we communicate with God, and we provide many opportunities for people to pray. First, though, we must remind you that everyone can pray at any time and wherever they are.Prayer as part of a study group

Sunday Worship.

Our services always include prayer. Some are the formal prayers that form part of the formal words of the service, known as the liturgy, others are normally led by a member of our congregation and will reflect the needs of the church and the world at that particular time

Services of Prayer.

Sometimes on Sunday and through every week we have services of prayer.

Days of prayer

Periodically, usually on a Saturday, we have a day of prayer. There is normally a theme to these days with people invited to come and go as they want.

Weekly Newsletter.

Our weekly newsletters carry information to help members of our congregation with prayer topics for the coming week. The newsletter is expected to be taken home by congregation members, and is also available for use in church through the week.

Prayer for Healing

This has many forms. Two are:

  1. Prayers organised as part of a service where the laying on of hands for healing is offered
  2. Prayers utilising our book of healing. This is a book into which people can write the names of people who are sick and in need of healing.

Prayer Triplet.

Jesus taught that whenever two or three are gathered together in his name he will grant their requests. Prayer triplets is an arrangement whereby members of the church are grouped into threes, who then meet together for prayer at some convenient location.

Email Prayer Chain.

We have a well developed email system for distributing prayer requests. The request may include thanks for answered prayer or requests for specific needs.

Study Groups

While our study groups meet to study the bible, there will normally be a time of prayer every time a group meets.

The Lord's Prayer

According to press reports, only about 50% of people know the words of the Lord's prayer. It is now recited in both traditional and contemporary versions and we are happy to provide the words for both. The traditional version is on the left, below.

Our Father, which art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done,
in earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen		 Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as 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.