Welcome to the Prayer blog
Why Pray?
Community Presbyterian Church (CPC) of San Juan Capistrano, CA is dedicating this new blog to thinking about how and why we pray. Pastor Leanne will write once a month from a more theological perspective. Me? I’m just a common Christian, struggling like many others to pray more effectively. So, just call me Prayer Blogger, PB for short. We’ll try to challenge your thinking and maybe raise some awareness about ways to invigorate our prayer lives.
This blog is also aimed at helping us to be more passionate and (possibly even) more effective at praying… but first let’s consider why we pray. Why do you pray?
What should we pray for?
What does the Bible say about what we should pray for?
“Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This isn’t a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we’re in. If your child asks for bread, do you trick him with sawdust? If he asks for fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? As bad as you are, you wouldn’t think of such a thing. You’re at least decent to your own children. So don’t you think the God who conceived you in love will be even better? Matthew 7: 7-8 (The Message)
Jesus said to pray like this:
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.” Matthew 6: 9-13 (NIV)
From this, we have some clear things to pray for: God's kingdom, His will to be done, our daily bread, forgiveness of debts, leading us away from temptation, keeping us from evil.
Our list is long: we pray for health, for ourselves, for others, for family members, for friends, for victims, for peace, for leaders, for followers. And many more. We also pray for forgiveness, strength, passion, clarity of thought, decision help, hope, guidance, etc. What about thanks, gratitude, wonderment about God's creation? Big things and little things? Relationships gone wrong or stale or missing? We pray when grieving, for others who are grieving. We pray for the economy, the weather, the environment, the world. The threats of fires, floods or droughts. Some pray for an athletic team, or an outcome of a business deal, a purchase of a home, stressful decisions, food, a home, transportation, or other types of resources.
Today’s focus: Prayer for peace
Today, let’s briefly look at just one type of prayer – for peace. Ah, that’s a big one – and a timely one. And you might ask,”what kind of peace?” World peace? Peace in the family? Peace with a colleague? Peace with a friend? The derivations are endless. But let’s focus on world peace. When we pray for world peace, are we taking sides in a war? Or, are we praying for a peaceful settlement, limitations on casualties, property destruction – what? How would you pray for World Peace?
Wow! We have a lot of options to pray for. And this list is not complete. Prayer is complex and may not always be straightforward.
Our prayer blogging rhythms
Once a month we’ll dig into one of these prayers, and maybe you’ll find it helpful. And maybe you’ll even comment below (please do). We hope you check it out and comment. See you next time.
PRAYING FOR YOU,
PB
Community Presbyterian Church
32202 Del Obispo
San Juan Capistrano. CA 92675
949-493-1502