Why Pray? R. Foster says…

Why Pray?

“By focusing on this basic parent-child relationship, we get light on two of the most common problems in Petitionary Prayer.  The first is the very reasonable question of why we should ask God for things when he already knows our needs.  The most straightforward answer to this question is that God likes to be asked.  We like our children to ask us for things that we already know they need because the very asking enhances and deepens the relationship….” 

Prayer, Richard Foster, 1992, Harper Collins,  p. 181

See Class Notes 

Earth Day Event Flier

Here is a link to the flier for the Earth Day Event in Madison

Question on Prayer

Prayer – someone asks – “What exactly is intercession’s  purpose?” 

Intercession refers to prayers for others.  Here is the issue:  God does not need to be informed or reminded of the need, so why do we need to pray?

Sample Text:  Philippians 4:6-7 – ESV
    do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. [7] And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

  So What do you think?

FRESH READ 

Go Ahead and Ask

    Go ahead and ask!

This is a re-statement of this invitation.  In our actual class, we will be putting out a question box with this question mark on the side.  Present your questions, not to “stump the expert” but to help us all engage in conversation.

Example #1:  In Genesis 22, wouldn’t someone who heard that God told him to kill his son be sent to a mental institution?  Why is this here?  And why is Isaac called the “only” son, where there is also Ishmael?

Example #2:  Why does it say in one place “Not to love the world or the things of the world” and yet “God so loved the world” ?  What does “world” mean in the Bible?

All you Fresh Read readers are invited to enter your questions into this cyber-question box.

FRESH READ

Earth Day Event

 

If you live in Madison, WI you can attend

Faith, Food & Earth Day 2007    earth-day-flyer

on Sunday, April 22, from 3:00pm to 6:30pm

Booths and Displays from 3 to 6:30 pm, with a special emphasis on Food.

Speaker, Norman Wirzba, scholar, agrarian, author and Christian will reflect on the significance of Faith and Food in the world.

at Lake Edge Lutheran Church, 4032 Monona Drive, Madison