Lord Teach us to Pray
Prayer is a challenge for all of us, but in our current circumstances, we need more than ever to turn our focus to God, who is our strength, and our hope.
As our lives are turned upside down, and our hearts and minds churn with the consequences of COVID-19, perhaps a solid and reassuring starting place for our prayer is to begin with what we do know and can do.
Jesus’ response to the disciples’ cry, “Lord, teach us to pray” was to give them the words and model of the Lord’s Prayer.
So, take a moment. Take a calming breath. And pray what you know.
Pray the familiar words alone or together with others in your home. Pray it over the phone as you connect with wider family and friends. Recite it, read it out, write it down, and reflect on its meaning. It is meaningful, not meaningless. So say what you mean and mean what you pray!
Then try another step, expanding with specific concerns. For example, add your personal petitions after each phrase. Or try modelling your own words on Jesus’ pattern as we see Eugene Petersen has done here in The Message:
Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right;
Do what's best— as above, so below.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You're in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You're ablaze in beauty!
Yes. Yes. Yes.
The Lord’s Prayer “can be like a Christmas tree, on which we hang our own “decorations”, our own prayers.
Or it can be like a map: The directions are there, but we must take the trouble to travel, to pray them. (Peter Kreeft, Fundamentals of Faith. Ignatius Press 1988)
Blessings, Karen
PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE GATHERING AT GENERAL SYNOD
The Online Convention of General Synod 2025 is being held on Saturday 18 October.
Please pray for all who will serve – our leaders, delegates, volunteers and organisers.
Pray, too, that while the church resolves business outstanding from the Regular Convention in 2024, the Spirit will guide all those present in grace, hope, unity and peace.
CONVENTION TO BE STREAMED ONLINE
The Online Convention of General Synod on Saturday 18 October will be streamed online via the Synod Livestream webpage.
You can view livestreams of the worship services and business sessions on this page once the convention commences.
2 November 2025 7 PM 6 Penrice Rd, Nuriootpa $5 includes Popcorn & Drink!
As the world teeters on the brink of annihilation, Dietrich Bonhoeffer is swept into the epicenter of a deadly plot to assassinate Hitler.
With his faith and fate at stake, Bonhoeffer must choose between upholding his moral convictions or risking it all to save millions of Jews from genocide.
Will his shift from preaching peace to plotting murder alter the course of history or cost him everything?
These are the Young Life Barossa bulletin notices for October:
*After a well-deserved break over the holidays we are gearing up to start breakfast clubs at Faith secondary collage on a Thursday morning and Nuriootpa High on a Wednesday morning. We are looking for some more helpers to cook the BBQ so our leaders are free to chat to our youth or if you think you might be up for the challenge to become a leader (age is just a number), please contact Tiffany 0466 039 463 or tiffanyvoigt@younglife.org.au
*Freestyle Dance is coming to the Barossa again Friday the 17th at 6pm any young person from years 5-12 can join in on the fun. $15 for an hour of dance and supper included. Contact Tiffany.
*Young Life National Summer Camp 2026 is fast approaching and with the bus hire price going up considerably this year we are looking for more generous donations to get youth and volunteers to camp. We really appreciate any form of help and prayer.
For more information about summer camp go to: younglife.org.au/summercamp
*Wyldlife is back on, starting the 14th of Oct and Club will be starting back on the 21st. For more information contact tiffanyvoigt@younglife.org.au
