Chris Altrock is an author, spiritual director and preacher, serving as the Senior Minister at the Stamford Church of Christ. He and his wife Kendra are parents to Jordan and Jacob.
From January, 2007 through December, 2009 more than 40 books on missional ministry were published. Below is a listing of these resources: Grace Theology… Read More »Being Missional: 2007-2009 Books on Missional Ministry
In Luke 11 we find Jesus’ followers intrigued by Jesus’ prayer life: 1Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.”(Lk. 11:1 ESV).
Joachim Jeremias (“The Prayers of Jesus”) writes that in the Judaism of Jesus’ time it was common for individual religious groups to have their own customs and practices regarding prayer (63). We know that the Pharisees and the Essenes had prayer practices unique to their groups. It appears from the text above that John’s disciples did as well. Thus, here, the disciples ask Jesus to give them their unique prayer. They want a prayer that will set them apart from the other religious groups. They literally want a “Jesus-Prayer.”
But what was the “Jesus-Prayer”? What prayer would distinguish Christ-ians from all others? What would it mean to pray in a distinctly Christ-like way?
1In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. 8And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Lk. 2:1-14 ESV).
Read More »Saving For Christmas: Jesus is Savior From All (Lk. 2:1-14)
Michael Hyatt offers these 7 questions to ask about last year as you prepare for the New Year: If the last year were a movie… Read More »7 Revealing Questions