Mars Hill

Praying for other people is one of the ways Christians live into their calling to follow Jesus. But it can't be hard to know what to ask for others. Paul's prayer for the Ephesians can help inspire more specific and aspirational prayers as we kneel before the Father.

Week 2 Prayer Practice

Ephesians 3:14-21

Questions to consider—

Withward [Community]: How is my understanding of and engagement with the church being formed during this Gathering?

Forward [Journey]: What is a practical next step I can take in my journey of following the way of Jesus?

Psalm 51

God is not surprised by our secrets. Our invitation in the practice of confession and receiving assurance is to name our great need and receive grace and freedom.

Week 1 Prayer Practice

Questions to consider— 

Withward [Community]: How is my understanding of and engagement with the church being formed during this Gathering?

Inward: [Wholeness]: How might the Holy Spirit be encouraging transformation in me?

There's no need to choose between a life of contemplation or a life of action. Healthy discipleship will always include both while recognizing we all lean toward one more naturally than the other. 

Luke 10:38-42

Questions to consider—

Forward [Journey]: What is a practical next step I can take in my journey of following the way of Jesus?

Outward [Service]: Who or where might God be calling me to care about more deeply and tangibly?

Consider the reality of orphans and God's concern for them, as demonstrated by David toward Jonathan's son. The gathered body is invited to join God's heart at work in South Africa. 

2 Samuel 9:1-7

Questions to consider—

Upward [Celebration]: Which attributes of God am I noticing and delighting in throughout the Gathering?

 Forward [Journey]: What is a practical next step I can take in my journey of following the way of Jesus?

Outward [Service]: Who or where might God be calling me to care about more deeply and tangibly?

There are good [and good-for-us] reasons for us to look at injustice. And though looking can be challenging and convicting, God's faithful work in accomplishing God's purposes leads us to rejoice, along with Habakkuk, come what may. 

Habakkuk 1:1-4

Questions to consider—

Inward: [Wholeness]: How might the Holy Spirit be encouraging transformation in me?

Outward [Service]: Who or where might God be calling me to care about more deeply and tangibly?

What a question! The invitation from Jesus is to 'stop looking for life in dead places!' [come home and be healed] and to 'be those who expect life in places of death' [people of hope and resurrection]. Consider these words: come and be healed and empowered to show up to be a part of the resurrection work of Jesus with hope in hand!

Luke 24: 1-8, Luke 15, Ezekiel, 1 Kings 18

Questions to consider—

Withward [Community]: How is my understanding of and engagement with the church being formed during this Gathering?

Upward [Celebration]: Which attributes of God am I noticing and delighting in throughout the Gathering?

Forward [Journey]: What is a practical next step I can take in my journey of following the way of Jesus?

Many of us face situations that require more resources than we have to give. This significant story from the life of Jesus reminds us to trust in the compassion and abundance of God more than we focus on our limitations or inadequacies. 

Matthew 15:29-34

Questions to consider—

Forward [Journey]: What is a practical next step I can take in my journey of following the way of Jesus?

Inward: [Wholeness]: How might the Holy Spirit be encouraging transformation in me?

Moses invites parents, but more broadly all of Israel, to "tell the story" to the next generation. Likewise, we are invited to do the same thing.

Deuteronomy 6:20-21

Questions to consider—

Withward [Community]: How is my understanding of and engagement with the church being formed during this Gathering?

Backward [Roots]: What personal stories, Biblical narratives, or church traditions are being drawn to my mind in this Gathering?

Forward [Journey]: What is a practical next step I can take in my journey of following the way of Jesus?

Matthew 2:1-2

Even the Christmas Story can be approached with faithful curiosity. What Zechariah's song and the popular seasonal song "What Child Is This" both stress is the immediacy of God's promises in Christ being jumpstarted. Hear the Good News: Jesus has always been and will always be the King!

Luke 1:68-79

Questions to consider—

Backward [Roots]: What personal stories, Biblical narratives, or church traditions are being drawn to my mind in this Gathering?

Upward [Celebration]: Which attributes of God am I noticing and delighting in throughout the Gathering?