Thoughts_and_Prayers.docx

of the Sermon**

In this sermon, we explored the meaning and purpose of prayer, using Jesus’ teaching of the Lord’s Prayer in Luke 11 as our foundation. I shared some personal reflections about my nomination for Moderator of the United Church, and how that has prompted many to consider how and what to pray for. We wrestled honestly with the mystery of prayer—how it is not a formula for getting what we want, nor a guarantee against suffering, but rather a way of grounding ourselves in God’s presence and love. We acknowledged the pain of unanswered prayers, both personal and global, and the temptation to feel that prayer is inadequate in the face of overwhelming tragedy. Yet, we also considered how prayer changes us, connects us to God and to others, and can even take the form of action, as illustrated by Rabbi Heschel’s “praying legs” during the Civil Rights movement. Ultimately, we were invited to deepen our practice of prayer, trusting that as we do, God’s kingdom breaks into our world in ways seen and unseen.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Prayer Is Not a Transaction, But a Relationship Jesus teaches us to address God intimately as “Abba”—not as a distant ruler, but as a loving parent. This reminds us that prayer is not about manipulating outcomes or presenting a list of demands, but about drawing near to the One who knows and loves us. In prayer, we are invited to rest in God’s presence, to remember who we are and whose we are, and to be shaped by that relationship.
• 2. The Mystery of Unanswered Prayer There are times when our most fervent prayers seem to go unanswered, and tragedies still occur. This is not a reflection of our lack of faith or effort, but a reminder that God’s ways are not mathematical or predictable. In these moments, we are called to trust that God is present with us in our pain, and that prayer is not about controlling outcomes, but about being held and transformed in God’s love.
• 3. Prayer as Participation in God’s Kingdom When we pray “your kingdom come,” we are not just asking for God to fix things, but opening ourselves to be part of God’s work in the world. Prayer shifts things within us and, mysteriously, beyond us. As we pray, we become more attuned to God’s heart for justice, mercy, and peace, and are moved to act in ways that help bring God’s kingdom closer.
• 4. Prayer Takes Many Forms—Including Action Prayer is not limited to words spoken in church or in private. It can be found in silence, in song, in wonder at creation, and in acts of justice and compassion. Sometimes, as Rabbi Heschel said, “our legs are praying” when we march for justice or stand with the suffering. Prayer is any act that connects us to God and aligns us with God’s purposes in the world.
• 5. The Spirit Prays With and For Us Even when we do not know how to pray, or when words fail us, the Spirit intercedes with “groanings too deep for words.” We are not alone in our prayers; God’s own Spirit joins us, carrying our pain, our hopes, and our longing for a better world. This assurance frees us to pray honestly, to bring our whole selves before God, and to trust that our prayers matter—even when we cannot see how.

1. In Luke 11:1-4, what words does Jesus use to address God, and why might that have surprised his disciples?
2. According to Jesus’ teaching in Luke 11:5-8, what is the significance of the story about the friend at midnight?
3. What promises does Jesus make about asking, seeking, and knocking in verses 9-13?
4. In the sermon, what examples were given of different forms that prayer can take, beyond just spoken words?

1. Jesus teaches us to call God “Abba” or “Father.” What does this say about the kind of relationship God wants with us, and how might that change the way someone prays?
2. The sermon talked about the pain of unanswered prayer, like the story of Matthew Fraser. How might someone hold onto faith when prayers seem to go unanswered?
3. When Jesus says, “your kingdom come,” the sermon suggested this is more than asking God to fix things. What does it mean for someone to participate in God’s kingdom through prayer?
4. The story of Rabbi Heschel’s “praying legs” was shared. How can action be a form of prayer, and what does that look like in real life?

1. The sermon said prayer is not a transaction but a relationship. When you pray, do you tend to treat it more like a list of requests, or as a way to connect with God? What would it look like to shift your focus more toward relationship?
2. Think about a time when you prayed for something important and didn’t get the answer you hoped for. How did that experience affect your faith or your view of prayer? Is there anything you would do differently now?
3. The Lord’s Prayer includes “give us each day our daily bread.” What are the daily needs you find yourself praying for most often? Are there needs you hesitate to bring to God? Why or why not?
4. The sermon mentioned feeling that prayer is “too little” in the face of big tragedies, like the situation in Gaza. When you see suffering in the world, do you ever feel helpless? How might prayer move you from feeling helpless to taking action?
5. Prayer can take many forms—silence, song, wonder at creation, or acts of justice. Which form of prayer feels most natural to you? Is there a new form you’d like to try this week?
6. The Spirit “intercedes with groanings too deep for words” (Romans 8:26, as quoted in the sermon). Have you ever experienced a time when you didn’t know what to pray? How did you sense God’s presence in that moment?
7. The sermon invited us to deepen our practice of prayer. What is one small, practical step you can take this week to make prayer a more regular or honest part of your life?