Prayer as Joy, Prayer as Struggle

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Liturgical Press, 2008 - 105 páginas

Mark Braaten describes the experience of seeing the sun rise on a northern Minnesota lake and spontaneously offering thanks to God. He describes sitting beside his children's bed as they sleep and resting in the awareness of God's blessings. Confronted by such beauty, prayer flows out of us. That is to say, there are times when we are easily aware that we are in the presence of God, our awe comes naturally, and our prayer is full of joy. But Braaten also points out that at times prayer is a struggle. Life is often not awe inspiring and prayer is often not easy. We find our praying frustrating and difficult. Our prayer life is a journey of both joy and struggle. It is learning to recognize and reach out to God; even more it is recognizing how God is constantly reaching out to us.

Braaten explores many types of prayer, including thanksgiving, confession, praise, wrestling, petition, intercession, listening, and hope. He also explores what it means when the answer to prayer is no and how we experience prayer in doubt and in confidence. In each chapter, he uses an extended biblical example of prayer and also provides the text of prayers we can use in our own practice. For all who seek joy in prayer, even as we struggle, Braaten offers an engaging personal and pastoral reflection on the ways we pray.

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Conteúdo

Prayer as Joy and Struggle
1
Prayer as Thanksgiving
11
Prayer as Confession
22
Prayer as Praise
33
Prayer as Wrestling with God
43
Prayer as Request
51
Praying in Times of Doubt
58
Prayer When the Answer Is No
65
Praying the Prayers of Others
73
Prayer as Listening
83
Prayer as Hope
93
Notes
100
Further Reading
102
Index of Bible References
104
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Página 7 - Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words.
Página 84 - And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
Página 85 - ... before the Lord ; but the Lord was not in the wind : and after the wind an earthquake ; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire ; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah...
Página 14 - And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand ; and all the women went out after her, with timbrels, and with dances. And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously : the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
Página 24 - I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.
Página 13 - The Lord is my strength and song, And He is become my salvation : He is my God, and I will praise Him ; My father's God, and I will exalt Him.
Página 67 - My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Sobre o autor (2008)

Mark Braaten is the senior pastor of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Tyler, Texas. He holds a Doctor of Ministry degree, with a focus on teaching the book of Revelation in congregations.

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