Becoming Jesus' Prayer

1. How would you respond to Ted Hatten’s statement, "Forgiveness may indeed be impossible, but for us it is not optional?"

2. Look at a recent newspaper or go on line to www.msnbc.com and make a list of the top stories. What would forgiveness look like if it were lived out in the events of our day?

3. How would you respond to the meaning of the word "as" in the Lord’s Prayer – "as" we forgive…" One way to translate the phrase in "in the same manner as." What difference does it make how you understand that one little word?

Homework:

1. C.S. Lewis wrote about a practice of prayer that he called festooning. In a familiar prayer like the Lord’s Prayer, Lewis prayed it phrase by phrase, elaborating his thoughts and feelings after each phrase. Pray the Lord’s Prayer in this way for the next six days. Pause after each phrase and include your own petitions.
2. Research what the United Methodist Church is doing through overseas relief at www.umcor.org and pray prayers of intercession for those you think are in the most need today.
3. If you are keeping a journal or notebook or want to start here are a few questions: - What is your favorite story about forgivenss in the Bible? – Why does this story speak to you? – Write or think about a time when you were forgiven. Include as much detail as possible about the experience. – "As we forgive those who trepass against us" – who do you need to forgive? What are some steps you might take to more toward forgiving?
4. You are describing forgiveness to a five year old child. What do you say?

1. What has the Lord’s Prayer taught you about what it means to follow in the way of Jesus?

2. What significant experiences continue to teach you what it means to be a person of faith?

3. Imagine talking to someone who is not a Christian or has not had a rich experience with Jesus – using the Lord’s Prayer what would you say about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus?

Homework:

1. Have a conversation with someone about what the Lord’s Prayer teaches us about our faith.
2. Continue to reflect on the Lord’s Prayer in a journal or notebook: - write about a time when the Lord’s Prayer reminded you of what you must do in a specific situation as a follower of Jesus
3. Prepare in your mind and prayer life for the next section of the Lord’s Prayer – "The Lord’s Prayer Calls us to Forgiveness."

1. Do you have any early memories of the Lord’s Prayer? How long have you known it?

2. What has the Lord’s Prayer taught you about who God is? Use a dictionary or google the words "hallowed" and "holy." What do they add to your understanding of God?

3. The Gospels tell us that Jesus often drew apart to pray. How do you imagine Jesus praying?

4. What about prayer is most joyful for you? What about prayer causes you to struggle? Where do you find joy and struggle in the praying of the Lord’s Prayer?

Homework:

1. Pray the Lord’s Prayer every day (perhaps several times a day) for the next week. Tape a copy of it on the bathroom mirror, on the kitchen table, next to your bed, for your screen saver on your computer, put it in your car. Live with the prayer for the next seven days. Let the words saturate your mind and heart.

2. In a journal respond to the following:

1. Imagine that you are one of the disciples asking Jesus to teach you to pray (Luke11:1). Describe the scene.

1. How does the Lord’s Prayer remind you that you are a part of the whole human family?

2. How does this prayer help you sense your connectedness to other Christians?

3. How does this prayer change your perspective?

Homework:

1. Each time you pray Jesus’ prayer this week pause and reflect every time you get to the word our or us.

2. Write in a journal or consider the following questions: