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The Lord’s Prayer“Teach us to pray” (Luke 11 v 1)Student workbookThis can be done on your own, using the mentor’s notes to check your answers. However it is more interesting to do it in pairs or three people with a mentor, - who can work alongside you. The additional notes for the mentor are at the end of this notebook.Bible study 1Teach us to pray1.Read Luke 11 v 1. What question did the disciple ask Jesus? ……………………………………………………………………….Let us do the same now. Let us ask the Lord Christ to teach us how to pray.In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus was giving them a model of how we should pray.Look at 1 John 5 v 14-15. What does a model of prayer give us? ……………………………………………………………………………….2.Read the prayer in verses 2 – 4. How does the Lord’s prayer begin? ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..This teaches us that prayer is turning my heart toward God. What is God like? ………………………………………………………..God is personal, and prayer is a personal relationship with God.The 2nd thing that we learn is that God is in heaven. Read Psalm 123 verses 1 & 2. When we pray where should look with our spiritual eyes?3.What is heaven?Heaven is the realm of God’s glory, presence, and power, which exists alongside this earthly realm, and from which he hears the prayers of his children. Read Acts 17 verses 24 – 25. What does Paul teach us about God? ………………………………………………………………………….………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….Does God live in temples?………………………………………………..Read v 27. Is heaven very far from us?……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………4.Why can we call God our Father?Read John 1 verses 12 – 13. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Read Luke 11 verses 11 – 13. What does Jesus call God? …………………………………………………………………………………………Is God is like all loving earthly fathers? …………. Will he give us what we need? ……………………………………………………..Look also at Psalm 103 verse 13. What does Father God feel for his children? ……………………………………………………….5.If your Father is in heaven, can he help you on earth?Read Matthew 6 verses 25 – 27. What things do we worry about?………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….How do we know that God knows our needs?………………………………………………………………………………………………….verse 32. How are Christians different from others?………………………………………………………………………………….. 6.If prayer is personal can we say “my Father”?Read 1 John 1 verse 3. What is the goal of this personal relationship with God? …………………………………………………….What do you think he means by “fellowship”? ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….But Jesus also taught us to pray on our own. Read Matthew 6 verses 6 – 8.What kind of prayer displeases God?…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………What kind of prayer pleases God?…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………7.The Lord’s Prayer gives you a pattern for prayerOur Father in heaven.Our first purpose in prayer is to have fellowship with God, our heavenly Father.We learn that prayer is a personal relationship with Father God. He loves us.Now pray your own prayer about what you have learned today, or pray this prayer below.Thank you heavenly Father that you invite us to have fellowship with you. Thank you that you know our every need, that you love us and care for us. Teach us how to pray. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen8.Homework.Learn to say the Lord’s Prayer by memoryBible study 2The First Prayer“Hallowed be Thy Name.”1. What is God’s Name?Read Exodus 3 verse 6, 14. What name does God reveal to Moses? ………………………………………………………………………………………… It is not like our names. It sums up God’s character.God’s Name refers to his personal being – his nature, his character, his power, and his purposes. This Name means that he alone is truly God, he is the source of his own being, he is holy and just, and he cannot be measured or defined by his creatures.2. Does God have other names?Read Matthew 28 verse 19. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………3. What does “hallowed” mean?Read Leviticus 19 verse 2. Write out God’s words to Israel ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….Hallowed means to be treated as holy, - that is, set apart, and sacred. To hallow God’s name is to honour him as holy. 4. How can you hallow God’s name?It is summed up in the 10 commandments. The 3rd commandment is especially about respecting God’s name. Read it in Deuteronomy 5 verse 11. All the commandments are summed up in Deuteronomy 6 verse 5. Write out these words.………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..5. How does God answer this prayer?His Holy Spirit makes us to be like Christ.Write out those words from Ephesians 5 verse 1. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….6.“hallowed be your name”What does this teach me about prayer?Prayer begins with worship. Worship is both with our lips and our lives.It is summed up in Colossians 3 verse 17. Write out the words …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….Finish this lesson with some worship. Read together Revelation 15 verses 3 – 4.And then recommit your life to God. “Father, I want to hallow your name in everything I think and do and say. Through Jesus my Lord. Amen.”Bible study 3 The Second Prayer“Your Kingdom come.”1. What is the Kingdom?Read Philippians 2:9-11. What is God’s purpose for Jesus? …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….When we give Jesus the title Christ, we are making him our Lord. We are welcoming his kingdom into our hearts. When you pray for God’s Kingdom to come, what do you desire for God?We are praying for that day when Jesus will rule over all of the world, and every person and authority will bow down to his name.2. How does God’s Kingdom first come?Read Mark 1 v 15. When Jesus preached the kingdom what did he call people to do?……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….Read Luke 10 v 9. When Jesus sent out the 72 what was the message they were to give?………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Our first prayer is that people will hear the gospel being preached. When someone is being called to repentance, Christ is wanting to bring his kingdom to rule in their life.Read Luke 10 v 2. When we pray to God who do we think God is? ………………………………………………………………………………………….What are we to ask God to do?……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Note that when we pray ‘Your Kingdom come’, we might be the answer to our own prayer! God will want to send us out with the message.3.When will God’s Kingdom be completed?Read 1 Corinthians 15 v 24-25. When the end comes, what will Christ do?…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Read Revelation 22 v 20. What does this encourage us to pray for? …………………………………………………………………………………………….4. How do you live in God’s Kingdom?Read Colossians 1 v 13-14. When we have become Christians (“we are redeemed”) we have left the kingdom of …………………………………….. and are brought into the kingdom ………………………………………………………………So we must live our lives according to this new Kingdom.Read Psalm 45 v 6 – 7. When we pray for his kingdom to come, what do we pray for and work towards? …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Read Romans 14 v 17 – 18. What are the rewards of living in this kingdom?………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….5. “Your kingdom come”. What do we learn about prayer?Prayer is to want what God wants :for the gospel to be preached.for people to repent and come to worship the name of Jesus.for all authorities to bow down to God.for God to rule everywhere and justice to be seen everywhere.for Christ to come again.Pray for these things now.lesson fourThe Third Prayer“Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”1. How is God’s will done in heaven?What answer is given in Psalm 103 v 20? ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..2. Where can you find God’s will and word?It is summarized in the 10 commandments. Read Exodus 20 verses 1 – 17.All scripture also reveals to us God’s will.Read 2 Timothy 3 verses 14 – 17The scriptures make us …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….All scripture is ……………………………………………………………... It is God’s word.What is scripture useful for? ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………By reading the scriptures we can know the will of God and are able to do it also. The man of God will be equipped for ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….3. How is God’s will accomplished on earth?What advice does Paul give in Ephesians 5 v 10?.……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Read Matthew 7 v 21 – 23. What does God want us to do? …………………………………………..…………………………………………………In verses 17 – 20 Jesus describes doing God’s will as “bearing good fruit”.Are you bearing good fruit in your life? Are you trying to do God’s will?Here is a prayer of St. John Chrysostom who was born AD 349. He was Archbishop of Constantinople.O Lord, vouchsafe that I may love Thee with all my heart and soul, and that I may obey in all things Thy will.4.How can I do God’s will in a culture that does not want to do God’s will?Read 1 John 2 v 15 – 16. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….V 17 What will happen to the world? …………………………………………………………………………………………………..............................Who will live for ever? …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….5.How do we pray for God’s will to be done on earth?We pray for God’s will to be done on earth by praying for the world.Read 2 Timothy 2 verses 1 – 4.Who should we pray for?………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….What should we pray for?………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….What pleases God most?………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….We do the will of God by taking out his gospel to the world. Read Matthew 28 verses 18 – 20.6.How would you sum up this Bible study? How is God’s will done on earth as it is in heaven? By my obedience. And by the obedience of the whole Church.7. Pray now for yourself (to know and do God’s will in your life) for your Church and the worldfor the spread of the gospelThis is summed up in another prayer of St. John Chrysostom“Almighty God, who has given us grace at this time with one mind to make our common intercessions to you; and promises that when 2 or 3 are gathered together in your name, you will grant their prayers: Fulfill now O lord the desires and prayers of your servants, as may be best for them; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the world to come eternal life. Amen”His prayer is based on Matthew 18 verses 19 – 20.lesson 5The Fourth Prayer“Give us this day our daily bread.”1. What does “our daily bread” mean?Read Matthew 6 v 8 & 25. What do you think Jesus means by “our daily bread”?…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..How is Father God different from human fathers and mothers?……………………….………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….These verses suggest that God wishes me to trust him every day to supply my needs for that day. 2. Why should you pray for bread daily?Read Proverbs 30:7-9. Why do we need to look to God for our daily needs? ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….Read Matthew 6:25-34.v 26What can we learn from the birds? …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..v 27What can we learn from flowers? ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Which verses talk about not worrying? …………………………………..Human beings often worry. What does Paul say we should do? Read Philippians 4 v 6. ………………………………………………………….…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………This does not mean that we do not have to work. We should not be lazy or become a burden to others. But by depending on God for our daily needs, we learn to look to him for our spiritual needs also.Philippians 4 v 12. What lesson has Paul learned? ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….We show God that we depend on him by being content. We show God that we are content by giving thanks to him often throughout the day.Write out Psalm 100 v 4 ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 3. Why does God give you daily bread?What answer is given in Psalm 136 v 1? ..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Read Daniel 6:10. What example of prayer does Daniel give us? ……………………………………………………………………………………………Write down what you would like to give thanks for…………………………………………………………………………………………………........................................................................................................................................................................................................Now give him thanks and trust him for your “daily bread”.4.There is a second meaning to “daily bread”. Read Matthew 4 v 4. What lesson did Jesus learn?…………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….This has guided many traditions of daily prayer. Here are some of the lessons Christians have learned about feeding on the scriptures prayerfully. Discuss these with your mentor.We can to use the Holy Scriptures to guide us how to pray.We need to hear God’s word for today.If we can read, it is good to read and try to understand the message of the Bible.It is helpful to try to learn some verses from the Bible.Bible study 6The Fifth Prayer“Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.”1. What are sins (or trespasses)?Read Hebrews 3 v 7 – 11 (quoting from Psalm 95). Various words are used to describe sin in this passage.V 8 “Do not ……………………………………………………………………………….as you did in the ………………………………………………………………….”That is where sin begins, - in the heart; and how sin begins, - against God.V 10 “Their hearts are …………………………………………....................... and ……………………………………………………………………………………..”Read Romans 3:23. Of what do they fall short? ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….It is like buying a new car, which then runs perfectly.Can you think of examples of how we fall short of that purpose every day? …………………………………………………………………………….………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. We are like a new car which has many problems, a poor engine and tires that puncture easily. The new car falls short of the glory intended by the manufacturer.2. Have you trespassed against God’s Law?Read again Romans 3:23. Who has sinned? ………………………………………………………………Read Mark 7 v 20 – 23. Give some examples of things that you have seen in your own life. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Where do these things come from? ………………………………………………………………… What do they make us? ……………………………As Christians we have decided not to live our lives like that. And yet, sometimes we shall fail and fall short of God’s purpose.3.What is God’s forgiveness?Read 1 John 2 v 1 – 2. When we do sin, who comes to our help? …………………………………………………………………………………………..How was God able to forgive us our sins? …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………Read Romans 3 v 21 – 24. Righteousness is the opposite of sin. It is when we live our lives according to God’s glory and purpose. When we are forgiven, we are made righteous. Where does Righteousness come from? …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Is man righteous? …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….How are we forgiven? ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….In the first part of v 25 we read that we are redeemed by the sacrifice of Jesus.We are forgiven not because we have done anything. We cannot earn our salvation. Forgiveness is a gift. It is summed up in the word “Grace”.4. How do we ask for forgiveness?Read 1 John 1 v 8, 9. What is the first thing we must do? ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….Read Acts 17 v 20. What does God call all people to do? …………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Repentance is a turning away from our sin, a desire not to sin. It is also expressed in I John 2 v 1. Read it again.What is God’s purpose for our lives? ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….When we ask for forgiveness, we must be assured that God has forgiven us in Jesus. 5. Do you forgive others as fully as God forgives you?Read Matthew 18:21-35Why should we forgive others? ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………Following the example of my Lord Jesus, I must seek constantly to forgive those who sin against me. 6. How will you forgive others?Read 1 John 4: 9 – 12Why should we love others? ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………I will forgive others by extending to them the love of Christ, and by choosing not to hold against them the hurts they have inflicted, whether they ask for forgiveness or not. 7. Will your forgiveness of others bring reconciliation with them?Read 2 Corinthians 5 v 18 – 20. Write each of the 5 phrases that have the word “reconciled/ reconciliation/ reconciling”.1. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….2. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………3.…………………….…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………4.………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………5.………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………Reconciliation is never easy. Forgiveness does not always result in Reconciliation. Sometimes we can only pray.Bible study 7The Sixth Prayer“And lead us not into temptation.”1.Does God lead you into temptation?What answer is given in James 1 v 13? ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………2.What are we praying for then?Read Hebrews 4: 14 – 16. Who is the High Priest in heaven who is praying for us now? ……………………………………………………………..How was Jesus the same as us? ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…..How was Jesus different from us? ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Jesus succeeded in resisting temptation. So, he can sympathize with our weakness. v 16 How can Jesus help us? ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………The grace may include forgiveness when we do sin, and strength so that we can try to resist sin the next time.Therefore, we are praying for God’s help so that we can resist temptation3. What is temptation?Read again James 1 v 13 – 15.How does Satan tempt us? ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….If we do not resist temptation, what will happen? ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………If we do not resist sin (repentance & confession), what will happen? ………………………………………………………………………………………….Temptation is an enticement to abandon worship of God alone and total trust in God or to break his commandments.4.What should I do when I am tempted?Read Proverbs 1:8-16. What advice does the Father give to his son in v 10 & v 15? V 10 ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..v 15 ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Read 1 Peter 5 :8 – 9. What is the devil trying to do? …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….The devil is pictured as lion. Lions show no mercy. The devil wants to destroy our faith in Christ. As simple as that! What must we do? ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 5.How should I pray?I should pray to recognize temptation. Read 1 John 2: 15 – 17. What must we not love? ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….What is wrong with the world? ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………My heart is tempted by the world, the flesh, and the Devil, all of which are enemies of God and of my spiritual well-being. Look back to your notes in no. 2 last week. Note the examples that Jesus gave about sins. 6. What are the ways to guard against temptation?We can learn from the example of Jesus who was tempted in the wilderness. Read Matthew 4:1-11.The 1st temptation v 3 – 4. How does Jesus resist the temptation to depend on his own strengths for his ‘daily bread’, rather than to depend on God? ………………………………………………………………………………………….……………………………………………………………………………………………………..How does Jesus reply to the 2nd temptation v 5- 7? ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….The 3rd temptation v 8 – 10. How does Jesus resist the temptation to receive what the world can offer us? ……………………………………………………………….……I can guard against temptation by feeding on God’s word regularly, knowing what behavior will make God angry, and making God my only focus for worship.Bible study 8 The Seventh Prayer “But deliver us from evil.”Read John 8:44. When Satan speaks does he speak any truth? …………………………………………………………………………………………..“Evil is the willful perversion of God’s good will that defies his holiness and mars his good creation. “ (ACNA Catechism)2.What does Satan aim to do? What answer is given in 2 Corinthians 11:3? The ‘serpent’ is a picture of Satan.……………………………………………………………………………………………..……………………………………………………………………………………………..Read John 17 v 15. What did Jesus pray for? ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………Read 1 John 3 v 7. What two things should we pray for? ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..We pray that God’s Holy Spirit will show us when and how we are being led astray.3. How has God already delivered us from evil?Read Colossians 1 v 13 – 14. What has God done? ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..What has Jesus done? ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..4. Why can we overcome evil? Read 1 John 3 v 24. What has Jesus also done? ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Read 1 John 4 v 4. Knowing the truth of 3 v 24 (above), why can we now overcome evil in the world? ……………………………………………………………………………….……………………………………………………………………………………………………………We overcome the world by living in Christ, and Christ living in us.5. How should we pray in a time of trial?Read 2 Corinthians 1 v 8 – 11. Who did Paul rely on? ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….Read 2 Corinthians 1 v 3 - 7. What does God give us to help us when we are at our weakest? …………………………………………..‘Comfort’ may include assurance of God’s love, strength, patience, trusting, peace and even joy.6.How should you pray for other Christians?In 2 Corinthians 1 v 3 – 4. What two things can we share with other Christians .………………………………………………………………..I can use this line of the Lord’s prayer to pray for other Christians in times of suffering.7. The Doxology and AmenThe doxology which the Church adds to the Lord’s Prayer is: “For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.”Our doxology follows the example of heaven where they shout this. Read Revelation 19 v 1, 6.Can you see the references to reigning (kingdom), power and glory? What else belongs to God? ……………………………………….Which prayers in the early part of the Lord’s Prayer, does the doxology echo? ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………Read Revelation 19 v 4. How does all creation respond to the words of worship? ……………………………………………………………….‘Hallelujah’ means ‘Praise God’. When we say ‘Amen’, we are uniting with other Christians in agreeing that this is our prayer, too.8. Look backLook back on your bible studies, what have been the main things you have learned about prayer?Is there anyone you can share this with?The Lord’s Prayer“Teach us to pray” (Luke 11 v 1)Check your own answers & Mentor’s notesThis Bible study will help to teach new and young Christians how to pray.This Bible study is designed to be used by one, two or three people working together. I have assumed that one person will act as a ‘mentor’. I.e, who will do the bible study alongside the others. But if you are doing it on your own, these notes will act as a ‘check your answer’, with some further notes.It can also be used in other ways. E.g., as a resource for those who want to teach or preach about the Lord’s prayer.Some of the material is drawn from the ACNA catechism.Why a ‘mentor’?We want our students to learn how to pray, and to understand the Lord’s Prayer. The more effective way to do this, is to help them learn and find the answers themselves. Teachers are tempted to do lots of talking, and to give the answers. Mentors say very little. It is very important that the mentor should not give the students the answers. The students learn better when they find the answers for themselves. The role of the mentor is to encourage, and also to check and correct answers. Only help the student when they are confused. Students can do this on their own, or in pairs – helping each other.The correct answers are in bold and italic type. The answer may differ a little from one student to another because the bible translations also differ. If the student has the meaning correct, that is the important thing.There are some comments (also in bold type) which, if there is discussion, the mentor can give when he/she is checking the answers with the student. Some of them are quotations from the ACNA catechism. You will do much better to put it into your own words.Bible study oneTeach us to pray1.Read Luke 11 v 1. What question did the disciple ask Jesus? “Teach us to pray”Now pray with your student, that the Holy Spirit will teach him how to pray just as Jesus taught his disciples.Jesus was giving them a model of how we should pray.In 1 John 5:14-15, I can see that when I pray the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus is training me to pray according to his Father’s will. Therefore the Lord’s Prayer is a good prayer to understand, so that we can pray according to “God’s will”. When we pray according to “God’s will” we can have “confidence” that our prayers are being heard. 2.Read the prayer in verses 2 – 4How does the prayer begin?“Our father in heaven”The first thing that this teaches us is that prayer is turning my heart toward God. God is “Father”. God is personal, and prayer is a personal relationship with God.The 2nd thing that we learn is that God is in heaven. Read Psalm 123 verses 1 & 2. When we pray where should look with our spiritual eyes? ….. “The Lord …. Who is in heaven”.3.What is heaven?Heaven is the realm of God’s glory, presence, and power, which exists alongside this earthly realm, and from which he hears the prayers of his children. Heaven will have different values from worldly values. Perhaps, in prayer we need to see our world from God’s point of view. – Therefore prayer will be much more about listening to God.Read Acts 17 verses 24 – 25. What does Paul teach us about God? …… “He is Lord of heaven and earth”Does God live in temples?………………………………………………..”No”Read v 27. Is heaven very far from us?…………………………………… “No”4.Why can we call God our Father?Read John 1 verses 12 – 13. …”Yes. All who believe in Jesus become God’s children”. Read Luke 11 verses 11 – 13. What does Jesus call God? “Your Father in heaven” Is God is like all loving and sincere earthly fathers. Will he give us what we need? …. “Yes. He is like the earthly Father who gives good gifts”. Also, he gives us his Holy Spirit – meaning that God lives in us.Look also at Psalm 103 verse 13. What does Father God feel for his children? … “Compassion”.5..If your Father is in heaven, can he help you on earth?“Yes”. God is everywhere, and as my almighty Father in heaven, he is able and willing to answer my prayers.Read Matthew 6 verses 25 – 27What things do we worry about?……… “food, drink, clothes”How do we know that God knows our needs?… “Look at the birds. – How God feeds them. We are more valuable than they are”verse 32. How are Christians different from others? “We do not worry; rather, we pray!” In prayer we trust God for our needs. We do not make these things the most important thing in our life.6.If prayer is personal can we say “my Father”?Read 1 John 1 verse 3. What is the goal of this personal relationship with God? ……… “Fellowship”.What do you think he means by “fellowship”?..... “Fellowship with God in prayer is relating to him as his children. We are members of God’s family of believers.” Jesus taught us to say “Our Father”. That is why often we pray with other believers, and not just on our own. Many Christians pray together at church, as well as on their own.But Jesus also taught us to pray on our own. Read Matthew 6 verses 6 – 8.What kind of prayer displeases God?……”meaningless words. To make others think we are holy.”What kind of prayer pleases God?….. “in secret; personal and quiet.” 7.Summarize the first Bible study: “Our Father in heaven”.Our first purpose in prayer is to have fellowship with God, our heavenly Father.We learn that prayer is a personal relationship with Father God. He loves us.Encourage them to pray a simple prayer. If this feels difficult for them to do ‘out loud’, encourage them to do it silently, and then to pray the prayer below. Thank you heavenly Father that you invite us to have fellowship with you. Thank you that you know our every need, that you love us and care for us. Teach us how to pray. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen8.Homework.Encourage them to learn to say the Lord’s Prayer by memory. If you have time, practice this with them.Bible study 2The first prayer“Hallowed be Thy Name.”1. What is God’s Name?Read Exodus 3 verse 6, 14. The Name God reveals to Moses is “I AM WHO I AM” or simply “I AM” . (Also, it can be read in the past tense: “I was… ”, or the future tense: “I will be … ”. But I think that is a deeper truth than needs to be understood in this lesson. Keep it simple!)It is not like our names. It sums up God’s character. God’s Name refers to his personal being – his nature, his character, his power, and his purposes. This Name means that he alone is truly God, he is the source of his own being, he is holy and just, and he cannot be measured or defined by his creatures.So, when we worship God, we worship everything that is true about him. The only ‘name’ that we use is the name of his son, Jesus.2. Does God have other names?“Yes”. Through the person and ministry of Jesus Christ, God’s Name is also revealed to be“the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).3. What does “hallowed” mean?Read Leviticus 19 verse 2. “Be holy for I am holy” Hallowed means to be treated as holy, set apart, and sacred. To hallow God’s name is to honour him as holy. 4. How can you hallow God’s name?It is summed up in the 10 commandments. The 3rd commandment is especially about respecting God’s name. Read it in Deuteronomy 5 verse 11. All the commandments are summed up in Deuteronomy 6 verse 5. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength”. We worship him not just with our words but with our love and by every moment of our lives.God is King of all the earth, and we pray that all people everywhere may revere and worship him, according to his revelation in Christ and the Holy Scriptures. Philippians 2 verses 9 – 11 is an example of this prayer.5. How does God answer this prayer?His Holy Spirit makes us to be like Christ.Ephesians 5 verse 1. “Be imitators of God”We seek to become more like God and Christ rather than to let the ‘world’ shape our values, attitudes and character. Therefore we seek to “be holy” (as in question 3), to be set apart from the world. We ‘hallow’ God’s name, by becoming like him. Perhaps your student can think of examples of how this works out in their own life?6. “ hallowed be your name”What does this teach me about prayer?Prayer begins with worship. Worship is both with our lips and our lives.It is summed up in Colossians 3 verse 17. “Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”We usually think of ‘worship’ as songs or liturgy. But our real ‘worship’ is in our everyday life, as we seek that everything we think and do and say should reflect the holy name and character of the Lord that we sing when we are in Church.Finish this lesson with some worship in song. First read together Revelation 15 verses 3 – 4.If it is not possible to sing, say together Philippians 2 verses 5 – 11. And then recommit your life to God.“Father, I want to hallow your name in everything I think and do and say. Through Jesus my Lord. Amen.”Bible study 3 The Second Prayer“Your Kingdom come.”1. What is the Kingdom?Read Philippians 2:9-11. “God’s purpose for Jesus is that he will be exalted to the highest place, receive a name that is above every name, that everyone will bow down to him and make him Lord of their life.”When we give Jesus the title Christ, we are making him our Lord. We are welcoming his kingdom into our hearts.The Kingdom of God is his reign over all the world and in the hearts of his people. When you pray for God’s Kingdom to come, what do you desire for God?We are praying for that day when Jesus will rule over all of the world, and every person and authority will bow down to his name.We pray that the whole creation may enjoy full restoration to its rightful Lord. (see also Romans 8:22-25 & Revelation 15 v 4) 2. How does God’s Kingdom first come?Read Mark 1 v 15. When Jesus preached the kingdom what did he call people to do? “Repent and believe the gospel”.Read Luke 10 v 9. When Jesus sent out the 72 what was the message they were to give?“The Kingdom of God is near”Our first prayer is that people will hear the gospel being preached. When someone is being called to repentance, Christ is wanting to bring his kingdom to rule in their life.Read Luke 10 v 2. When we pray to God we think of him as “Lord of the harvest”We ask God to “send out labourers into the harvest”Note that when we pray ‘Your Kingdom come’, we might be the answer to our own prayer! God will want to send us out with the message. The harvest is everywhere, including your home and village.3.When will God’s Kingdom be completed?Read 1 Corinthians 15 v 24-25. When the end comes, “Christ will destroy every power that is against him. Then his work will be complete and he will hand over the kingdom to God his Father.” Read Revelation 22 v 20. What does this encourage us to pray for? “Come, Lord Jesus”..When we pray ‘Thy Kingdom come’ we are also praying for the end, and return of Christ Jesus.4. How do you live in God’s Kingdom?Read Colossians 1 v 13-14. When we have become Christians (“ we are redeemed”) we have left the kingdom of “darkness” and are brought into the kingdom “of his Son” (Jesus)So we must live our lives according to this new Kingdom.Read Psalm 45 v 6 – 7. When we pray for his kingdom to come, what do we pray for and work towards? “Justice”Therefore we can pray far all those who are working to bring justice, and support them. But we know that this will only be fully achieved when Christ comes to reign in and over all.Read Romans 14 v 17 – 18. What are the rewards of living in this kingdom?... “righteousness, peace and joy”My Kingdom life as a Christian consists of living with joy, hope, and peace as a child of God, a citizen of heaven, and a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ. 5.“Your kingdom come”. What do we learn about prayer?Prayer is to want what God wants for the gospel to be preachedfor people to repent and come to worship the name of Jesusfor all authorities to bow down to Godfor God to rule everywhere and justice to be seen everywhere.for Christ to come againPray for these things now.Bible study fourThe Third Prayer“Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”1. How is God’s will done in heaven?What answer is given in Psalm 103 v 20 ? “Who obey his word”2. Where can you find God’s will and word?It is summarized in the 10 commandments. Read Exodus 20 verses 1 – 17. (I have written another Bible study course on the 10 commandments)All scripture also reveals to us God’s will.Read 2 Timothy 3 verses 14 – 17The scriptures make us “wise for salvation”.All scripture is “inspired”. It is God’s word.What is scripture useful for? “teaching, rebuking, correcting, training”.By reading the scriptures we can know the will of God and are able to do it also. The man of God will be equipped for “every good work”.3. How is God’s will done on earth? What advice does Paul give in Ephesians 5 v 10? “Find out what pleases the Lord”.Read Matthew 7 v 21 – 23. What does God want us to do? “The Father’s will”.In verses 17 – 20 Jesus describes doing God’s will as “bearing good fruit”.Are you bearing good fruit in your life? Are you trying to do God’s will?Here is a prayer of St. John Chrysostom who was born AD 349. He was Archbishop of Constantinople.O Lord, vouchsafe that I may love Thee with all my heart and soul, and that I may obey in all things thy will.4.How can I do God’s will in a culture that does not want to do God’s will?Read 1 John 2 v 15 – 16. “Do not love the world or anything in the world”.What will happen to the world? “The world and its desires pass away”.5.How do we pray for God’s will to be done on earth?We pray for God’s will to be done on earth by praying for the world.Read 2 Timothy 2 verses 1 – 4.Who should we pray for? “All in authority”What should we pray for?“That all should live peacefullyWhat pleases God most?“That all may be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.We do the will of God by taking out his gospel to the world. Read Matthew 28 verses 18 – 20.6. Encourage the student to sum up this Bible study in their own words. How is God’s will done on earth as it is in heaven? Here is one simple answer: By my obedience. And by the obedience of the whole Church.God’s Kingdom comes whenever and wherever God’s will is done. As the Church aims to hallow God’s Name and seek first his Kingdom, it should lead the way in wholehearted obedience to God in Christ, and I should join and support the Church in this. By my obedience. And by the obedience of the whole Church.7. Pray now for yourself (to know and do God’s will in your life)for your Church and the worldfor the spread of the gospelIf the student is uncomfortable to pray out loud, encourage them to pray silently, or use a prayer book.When the Church prays together for God’s kingdom and God’s will, God answers our prayer.This is summed up in another prayer of St. John Chrysostom“Almighty God, who has given us grace at this time with one mind to make our common intercessions to you; and promises that when 2 or 3 are gathered together in your name, you will grant their prayers: Fulfill now O lord the desires and prayers of your servants, as may be best for them; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the world to come eternal life. Amen”This prayer is based on Matthew 18 verses 19 – 20. Sometimes Christians misunderstand these verses. When Jesus says to pray “in my name” he means to pray what is Jesus’ will (the will of God). It does not mean that we can pray selfishly (as we are reminded in James 4 verse 3).Bible study 5The Fourth Prayer“Give us this day our daily bread.”The Lord’s prayer teaches us a good pattern for our prayer. We pray first for God’s honor, Kingdom, and will. Then we pray for our own needs of daily bread, pardon for sins, and protection from evil.1. What does “our daily bread” mean?Read Matthew 6 v 8 & 25. What do you think Jesus means by “our daily bread”? These verses suggest that God knows all of our needs, such as “food and clothing, homes and families, work and health”. Matthew 6 v 8. How is Father God different from human fathers and mothers?“He knows what we need even before we ask him”.These verses suggest that God wishes me to trust him every day to supply my needs for that day.2. Why should you pray for bread daily?Read Proverbs 30:7-9. Why do we need to look to God for our daily needs? “Because if we get too much we may forget him, or if we get too little we may be tempted to steal”.Read Matthew 6:25-34.v 26What can we learn from the birds? “God looks after them. We are more valuable than birds.”v 27What can we learn from flowers? “God clothes the flowers. We are more valuable than flowers”.Which verses talk about not worrying? “verses 31 & 34”.Human beings often worry. What does Paul say we should do? Read Philippians 4 v 6.“By prayer with thanksgiving we should present our needs to God”.This does not mean that we do not have to work. We should not be lazy or become a burden to others. But by depending on God for our daily needs, we learn to look to him for our spiritual needs also.Philippians 4 v 12. What lesson has Paul learned? “He has learned to be content in every situation”.We show God that we depend on him by being content. We show God that we are content by giving thanks to him often throughout the day.Write out Psalm 100 v 4 . ”Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name”. The gates and courts are in the temple of Jerusalem. Today we can picture this as bringing our time of prayer into his heavenly temple. 3. Why does God give you daily bread?What answer is given in Psalm 136 v 1? “for he is good; and merciful”.What example of prayer does Daniel give us? (Daniel 6:10) “He prayed with thanksgiving 3 times a day”.God gives me daily bread because he is a good and loving Father, and I should thank him for it morning, noon, and night.Write down what you would like to give thanks for. The student may give answers that include “family, food, home, work, education, life, love, creation, joy, happiness”.Now give him thanks and trust him for your “daily bread”. The student can do this either out loud, or silently.4.There is a second meaning to “daily bread”. Read Matthew 4 v 4. What lesson did Jesus learn?“That he needs to feed on God’s word as much as physical food”.It is the word of God that feeds our souls and guides us.This has guided many traditions of daily prayer. Here are some of the lessons Christians have learned about feeding on the scriptures prayerfully. Discuss these with your mentor. Discuss these with your mentor.We can to use the Holy Scriptures to guide us how to pray.An example of this is the “200 meditations on the Psalms” which is on this website: We need to hear God’s word for today.If we can read, it is good to read and try to understand the message of the Bible.It is helpful to try to learn some verses from the Bible.Think of ways in which the student can follow their interest in the scriptures through local opportunities to study the Bible with others, Apps for the phone, bible reading notes, Church – where the scriptures are used to explain and give God’s word for today, etc.Bible study 6The Fifth Prayer“Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.”1. What are sins (or trespasses)?Read Hebrews 3 v 7 – 11 (quoting from Psalm 95). Various words are used to describe sin in this passage.V 8 “Do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion”. That is where sin begins, - in the heart; and how sin begins, - against God. When people try to understand their sin they often start in the wrong place – when we do or say wrong things. The Bible story shows us that sin began with Adam’s rebellion against God’s word. We can recognize this hardness of heart against God’s law, when like Adam, we are tempted to “be like God” (Genesis 3 v 5); to write our own rules, as in v 10 ……V 10 “Their hearts are always going astray and they have not known God’s ways”.Read Romans 3:23. Of what do they fall short? “The glory of God”.It is like buying a new car, which then runs perfectly.Can you think of examples of how we fall short of that purpose every day. “When some of our thoughts or words or deeds would not be what God wants to see or hear”. We are like a new car which has many problems , a poor engine and tires that puncture easily. The new car falls short of the glory intended by the manufacturer.2. Have you trespassed against God’s Law?Read again Romans 3:23. Who has sinned? ………… “All have sinned”.Read Mark 7 v 20 – 23. The examples that the student gives may be personal. We should be willing to share some of our own sins. Where do these things come from? “From within”. What do they make us? “Unclean”. He uses the word “unclean” to describe the effect of sin in our lives. In Galatians 5 v 19 -21 Paul gives us another list. As Christians we have decided not to live our lives like that. And yet, sometimes we shall fail and fall short of God’s purpose.3.What is God’s forgiveness?Read 1 John 2 v 1 – 2When we do sin, who comes to our help? “Jesus Christ”.How was God able to forgive us our sins? “ Jesus sacrificed himself” God’s forgiveness is his merciful removal of the guilt of sin that results from our disobedience. Read Romans 3 v 21 – 24. Righteousness is the opposite of sin. It is when we live our lives according to God’s glory and purpose.When we are forgiven, we are made righteous. Where does Righteousness come from? “ God”Is man righteous? “No, all have sinned”How are we forgiven? “By grace through the redemption that came through Christ Jesus”In the first part of v 25 we read that we are redeemed by the sacrifice of Jesus.We are forgiven not because we have done anything. We cannot earn our salvation. Forgiveness is a gift. It is summed up in the word “Grace”.4. How do we ask for forgiveness?Read 1 John 1 v 8, 9. What is the first thing we must do? “Confess our sins”. The student does not need to recall every sin he has committed! It is a simple acknowledgment that we have sinned against God (as in questions 1 – 3 above).Read Acts 17 v 20. What does God call all people to do? “Repent”. Repentance is a turning away from our sin. It is also expressed in I John 2 v 1. Read it again. What is God’s purpose for our lives? “That we should try hard not to sin in our daily lives”. When we ask for forgiveness, we must be assured that God has forgiven us in Jesus. Assurance of our sins is not dependant on our good behavior. No one who lives a life of confession and repentance should have any doubt that they are forgiven. Many Christians lack assurance of their salvation. They should not!5. Do you forgive others as fully as God forgives you?Read Matthew 18:21-35. This is a parable that Jesus taught to challenge those who did not want to forgive.Why should we forgive others? “I should forgive others because while I was still a sinner God forgave me.”Following the example of my Lord Jesus, I must seek constantly to forgive those who sin against me. 6. How will you forgive others?Read 1 John 4: 9 – 12Why should we love others? “Because God loves us so much that he sent Christ do be the sacrifice for our sins.”We forgive others by extending to them the love of Christ, and by choosing not to hold against them the hurts they have inflicted, whether they ask forgiveness or not. 7.Will your forgiveness of others bring reconciliation with them?Read 2 Corinthians 5 v 18 – 20. Write each of the 4-5phrases that has the word “reconciled/ reconciliation/ reconciling”.1. “… God who reconciled us to himself through Christ”2. “and gave us the ministry of reconciliation”3.“that God was reconciling the world to himself”4.“And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.”5.“Be reconciled to God.”Reconciliation is never easy. Forgiveness does not always result in Reconciliation. Sometimes we can only pray. Bible study 7The Sixth Prayer“And lead us not into temptation.”1.Does God lead you into temptation?What answer is given in James 1 v 13.? “God never tempts anyone to sin, nor is he the cause of any sin.”2.What are we praying for then?Read Hebrews 4: 14 – 16. Who is the High Priest in heaven who is praying for us now? “Jesus”.How was Jesus the same as us? “He was tempted in every way”.How was Jesus different from us? “He did not sin.” Jesus succeeded in resisting temptation. So, he can sympathise with our weakness. v 16 How can Jesus help us? “He gives us grace”.The grace may include forgiveness when we do sin, and strength so that we can try to resist sin the next time.Therefore, we are praying for God’s help so that we can resist temptation3. What is temptation?Temptation is an enticement to abandon total trust in God or to violate his commandments.Read again James 1 v 13 – 15.How does Satan tempt us? “by “enticing” us – giving us wrong desires.”If we do not resist temptation, what will happen? “it will give birth to sin.”If we do not resist sin (repentance & confession), what will happen? “we will (spiritually) die.”Temptation is an enticement to abandon worship of God alone and total trust in God or to break his commandments.4.What should I do when I am tempted?Read Proverbs 1:8-19.What advice does the Father give to his son? v 10 “do not give into them” v 15 “do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths”.Read 1 Peter 5 :8 – 9. What is the devil trying to do? “looking for someone to devour”. The devil is pictured as lion. Lions show no mercy. The devil wants to destroy our faith in Christ. As simple as that! What must we do? “resist him and stand firm in the faith”5.How should I pray?I should pray to recognize temptation. Read 1 John 2: 15 – 17. What must we not love? “We must not love the world.”What is wrong with the world? “It is full of desires, lusts, boastings.”My heart is tempted by the world, the flesh, and the Devil, all of which are enemies of God and of my spiritual well-being. Look back to your notes in no. 2 last week. Note the examples that Jesus and Paul gave about sins. 6. What are the ways to guard against temptation?We can learn from the example of Jesus who was tempted in the wilderness. Read Matthew 4:1-11.The 1st temptation v 3 – 4. How does Jesus resist the temptation to depend on his own strengths for his ‘daily bread’, rather than to depend on God? “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on God’s word”. We will resist temptation if we read the scriptures regularly and try to live by them.How does Jesus reply to the 2nd temptation v 5- 7? “Not to put God to the test”. Jesus knows this would make God angry with him. Jesus would sin. Jesus quotes from Deuteronomy 6 v 6, where Moses warns the Hebrews not to make God angry. We will resist temptation if we know what behavior will make God angry with us. The 3rd temptation v 8 – 10. How does Jesus resist the temptation to receive what the world can offer us? “the first commandment – to worship only God”. Jesus repeated this teaching in Matthew 6 v 19 – 21, 24.We will resist the temptation of the world if we focus our hearts on worshipping only God.I can guard against temptation by feeding on God’s word regularly, know what behavior will make God angry, and making God my only focus for worship.Extra note: Some translations use the phrase “testing” instead of “temptation”. When we are tempted our faith is being tested. God never tests us in that sense (see back to Q 1.) Our faith is also tested in other ways such as suffering, persecution. This line of the Lord’s prayer does not refer directly to that kind of testing, although there may be the temptation to abandon our faith. See James 1 v 2 – 4. Bible study 8 The Seventh Prayer “But deliver us from evil.”1. What is evil?Read John 8:44. When Satan speaks does he speak any truth? No. “there is no truth in him”Evil is the willful perversion of God’s good will that defies his holiness and mars his good creation. 2 Kings writes about each of the Kings of Israel and Judah. In summary of each King he writes “He did evil in the eyes of the Lord”. The Kings did not do the will of God. Their leadership was evil.2.What does Satan aim to do?What answer is given in 2 Corinthians 11:3? The ‘serpent’ is a picture of Satan. “He aims to lead us away from Christ”Read John 17 v 15. What did Jesus pray for? “that we should be protected from the evil one”Read 1 John 3 v 7. What two things should we pray for? “that we will not be led astray, and that we will live righteous lives.”We pray that God’s Holy Spirit will show us when and how we are being led astray.3.. How has God already delivered us from evil?Read Colossians 1 v 13 – 14. What has God done? “rescued us from the kingdom of darkness”What has Jesus done? “He has redeemed us and given us forgiveness of sins” V 20 shows that this was achieved by his death on the cross.4. How can we overcome evil?Read 1 John 3 v 24. What has Jesus also done? “He lives in us.”Read 1 John 4 v 4. Knowing the truth of 3 v 24 (above), why can we now overcome evil in the world? “We have Jesus in us, who is greater than the Spirit of the world.”John uses the word ‘Antichrist’ to name the evil influence of the ‘world’. We overcome the world by living in Christ, and Christ living in us.5. How should we pray in a time of trial?Read 2 Corinthians 1 v 8 – 11. Who did Paul rely on? “God” Read 2 Corinthians 1 v 3 - 7. What does God give us to help us when we are at our weakest? “Comfort”‘Comfort’ may include assurance of God’s love, strength, patience, trusting, peace and even joy.6. How does God answer our prayer?In 2 Corinthians 1 v 3 – 4. What two things can we share with other Christians? “comfort and suffering”I can use this line of the Lord’s prayer to pray for other Christians in times of suffering.7. The Doxology and AmenThe doxology which the Church adds to the Lord’s Prayer is: “For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.”Our doxology follows the example of heaven where they shout this. Read Revelation 19 v 1, 6.Can you see the references to reigning (kingdom), power and glory? What else belongs to God? “Salvation”Which prayers in the early part of the Lord’s Prayer, does the doxology echo? “Power and glory is echoed in ‘Hallowed be thy name’. Kingdom is echoed in “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”Read Revelation 19 v 4. How does all creation respond to the words of worship? “Amen, Hallelujah!”‘Hallelujah’ means ‘Praise God’. When we say ‘Amen’, we are uniting with other Christians in agreeing that this is our prayer, too.8. Look backEncourage your student to look back on the bible studies. What have been the main things they have learned about prayer?Encourage them to share by sharing what you have learned.Bible study 9 The Doxology and Amen1. What is the doxology of the Lord’s Prayer?The doxology which the Church adds to the Lord’s Prayer is: “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.”2. What does “kingdom, power, and glory” mean?Referring back to the first half of the Lord’s Prayer, the Church rejoices that God can fulfillits prayers, for he is already reigning over all creation, working out his holy will, and beinghallowed by praise in both earth and heaven. Our doxology follows the example of heaven where they shout this. E.g., Revelation 19 v 1, 6.Rejoicing that God is already King over this sin-sick world, the Church on earth uses thisdoxology to join in the praise being given to God in heaven.3. Why do you end the Lord’s Prayer by saying “Amen”?By saying “Amen,” which means “so be it,” I unite with the faithful, who pray as Jesus directed, believe that their prayers please the Father, and trust that he will answer their prayers. Amen is a prayer of unity. Read Revelation 19: 4Anglican Spirituality4.What have Anglicans learned about prayer?Teach about prayer, to summarize what we have learned in the 8 lessons. The Lord’s Prayer has shown us: why we should pray, what we should pray, and that we should pray often.Here are some more ideas based on the ACNA catechism from 230 to the end.Why should you pray?I should pray, first, because God calls me so to do; second, because I desire to know Godand be known by him; third, because I need the grace and consolation of the Holy Spirit;and fourth, because God responds to the prayers of his people. (Luke 11:13)What should you pray?In addition to my own prayers, I should pray the Lord’s Prayer, the Psalms, and the collectedprayers of the Church.When should you pray?I should pray morning, noon, and night, and whenever I am aware of my need for God’sspecial grace. And I should learn “to pray without ceasing” as I grow in knowledge of God’snearness. Anglicans have also learned that there are different ways to pray(already translated no 230) Prayer can be private or public, liturgical or extemporaneous; personal prayer can be vocal, meditative, or contemplative.There are different kinds of prayer (Translator’s notes: from 232 onwards, you will find this already translated)I should always pray with thanksgiving?In thanksgiving I express my gratitude to God for his grace, favor, providential goodness,and answers to my prayers.What is prayer?In prayer I make prayers to God on my own behalf.What is intercession?In intercession I make prayers to God on the behalf of others.What is meditation?In meditation I prayerfully read and reflect upon Holy Scripture according to its intendedmeaning, with openness to personal spiritual direction from God.What is contemplation?In contemplation I lift my heart in love to God without any deliberate flow of thoughts or words.Does God hear me?(already translated 238 – 239) I should be certain that God hears my prayers. I should also be certain that in response hewill grant me all that I actually need, by his wisdom, in his time, and for his glory.Even when my prayers seem to be unansweredGod always hears my prayers, and answers them in his wisdom and in his own time, sometimes withholding blessings for my discipline, and sometimes giving better than I ask.What obstacles may hinder your prayers?(already translated 241) My prayers may be hindered by distractions, laziness, pride, selfishness, discouragement, sin, and lack of faith.What is liturgy?(already translated 242 - 249) Liturgy is the public worship of God by God’s people according to an established pattern or form. Anglicans worship with a structured liturgy because it is a biblical pattern displayed in both Testaments, and because it fosters in us a reverent fear of God.Does liturgy inhibit freedom in worship?No. Form and structure provide a setting for freedom of heart in worship.What is the liturgy of the Daily Office?The Daily Office consists of Morning and Evening Prayer. These services are based on Israel’s Morning and Evening Prayer as adopted and adapted by the early Church. In them we confess our sins and receive absolution, hear God’s Word and praise him with Psalms, and offer the Church’s thanksgivings and prayers.What is a collect?A collect is a form of prayer that collects the people’s prayers. Over the centuries, the Church has gathered its most cherished prayers to mark times and seasons. They are embodied for Anglicans in the Book of Common Prayer.Why use the Prayer Book when you have the Bible?The Book of Common Prayer is saturated with the Bible, organizing and orchestrating the Scriptures for worship. It leads the Church to pray in one voice with order, beauty, deep devotion, and great dignity.What is the Anglican rule of life?(already translated 251 – end. Translator’s note. Dr. Paul Myin Htet has explained to me how he has translated “rule”. In this English context the word “rule” derives from monastic life. It means that they had a common discipline that helped them lead ordered lives. The word has little to do with ‘rules’ – meaning laws. We have to be careful in translating that we do not suggest to people that ours is a salvation of keeping rules. The “rule” is there to help us – to provide a structure to our daily lives. it is not there as a burden – something which we have to do. You might prefer to use a word that suggests guideline or discipline rather than a word that suggests laws to keep. In the student workbook I have used the word “Anglican spirituality”. I was not happy to use the phrase “rule of life”. It is up to you whether or not you want to change this. )The Church invites me to its life of Common Prayer as a rule of life. That rule is a key part of a life of witness, service, and devotion of my time, money and possessions to God. After memorizing the Lord’s Prayer, I should aim to memorize the liturgy, Psalms, and other prayers and collects.I can cultivate a fruitful prayer life by following the ancient three-fold rule: weekly Communion, Daily Offices, and private devotions. This rule teaches me when to pray, how to pray, and for what to pray, so that I may grow to love and glorify God more fully. ................
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