Missionary Renegade: United Kingdom - 24-7 Rewind "Life in the Movement for Monday, 14 April 14, 2014

Monday, April 14, 2014

United Kingdom - 24-7 Rewind "Life in the Movement for Monday, 14 April 14, 2014

5 Books That Taught Me Prayer by Andy Freeman

"Five great books that have taught me about prayer..."

A little while ago a friend of mine challenged me to share the books that have most helped me to pray. I wanted to narrow it down to five and ended up with a list of closer to twenty five...

I don’t know how much you enjoy reading or not but I do encourage you to explore some books both past and present on the subject of prayer. You see praying is something people have been doing for a while. You can find wisdom from people like Thomas Aquinas, Henri Nouwen, Thomas Merton, Brother Lawrence, Bill Hybels or Philip Yancey to name a few. But the following five books are the one’s that have most helped me.

Richard Foster / Streams of Living Water

I like any Richard Foster to be honest and he’s written one specifically on Prayer and another, the Celebration of Discipline which explores many spiritual practices. But this book is my favourite. In it, Foster explores the five great traditions of the Christian taking biblical, ancient and recent case studies of people who expressed them. The pages unsurprising flow with the spirit of prayer as saints old and new have their stories told and at the heart is a deep dependance on God. Inspiring.

Celtic Daily Prayer: Prayers and Readings from the Northumbria Community

Used by many Prayer Rooms and Boiler Rooms as part of their daily cycle of prayer, we have continually found this a helpful resource. The prayers are beautiful, practical and simple to use. There’s great wisdom and the daily readings never cease to inspire me. There are, of course, other good prayer books on the scene too - and I’d recommend Common Prayer (by Shaine Claibourne and others) very much too.

Margaret Silf / The Inner Compass

I love the self reflection of Ignatian Spirituality and this lovely book explores it expertly and in a way you can apply it and understand it. Over time the Ignatian practice of the Examen has become a signpost in my life when I need to understand what’s influencing and affecting me. Take a look at our Ancient Paths area to find out more.

The Jesus Prayer / Simon Barrington Ward

I met Simon nearly ten years ago and the meeting changed my life. He became a friend for a while and taught me the Jesus Prayer, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God have mercy on me a sinner.” This prayer which is repeated often as a way of focusing on God has had a deep effect on me and it’s where I go when I don’t know what to pray or say. Maybe try it sometime.

God on Mute / Pete Greig

This is a profound book. Pete explores the pain of unanswered prayer in a vulnerable and challenging way and finds comfort in the journey of Jesus through Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday. Many of you might have read Pete’s other books but if God on Mute hasn’t made it into your bookshelf I recommend it.

Maybe you could comment or tweet us and tell us of any books have made an impact on you?

It'd be great to hear from you

All images are used by permission in accordance with commons copyright license terms: Feature image is a derivative of the images 'Books HD' by Abhi Sharma

Andy Freeman is 44 years old and a father to 5 beautiful kids. He lives in Winchester, England. Andy was part of the team that pioneered 24-7's first Boiler Room community and is a regular contributor to New Monasticism in the UK and abroad. Andy works developing resources and supporting those in pioneering mission in the UK Church. He's also a freelance writer. Andy loves reading, movies, music, cricket (the sport) and Arsenal football club. You can continue to dialogue with Andy on his twitter (@AndyF247).

Blogging

Judas: The Anagnorisis Series Week 5

Andy Freeman

In case you missed them - here is every episode from Andy Freeman's look at Judas; this weeks character from The Anagnorisis Series Lent daily podcasts.

ANAGNORISIS - "the moment at which a character makes a critical discovery regarding their identity and true nature."

Judas: Doing Enough // Chosen, Accepted and Loved

Luke 6: 13

This week, Andy Freeman looks at Judas' relationship with Jesus. In the opening episode, he explores what it meant for Jesus to have chosen Judas as a disciple

Judas: Derailed // Two Masters

John 12: 6

Andy looks at personal sacrifice and the difficulty of serving both God and ourselves - and what we see of this in Judas' relationship with money

Judas: Called and Sent // Changing the World

Mark 6: 7

Andy takes at a look at the grace of Jesus, who chose a group of flawed disciples, with Judas amongst them, to go out into the world and proclaim his name

Judas: Distorted Worship // Still Moments

Luke 22: 47

Andy looks at the moment of Judas' betrayal; the kiss at Gethsemane

Judas: Honoured Guests // The Loved Betrayer

John 13: 26

Andy ends the week's look at the relationship between Judas and Jesus with a profound message of hope; Judas was loved

You can access the Podcast via iTunes subscription and YouTube. We will also be posting them via our Twitter and Facebook. Alternatively you can watch them directly on the Podcast page of this site.

Clearing Our Lungs

Andy Freeman

During the first week of April it was reported that Britain was experiencing it’s worst air pollution for years.

The cause apparently was sand from the Saharan desert whipped by strong winds into the clouds and the deposited here as rain or as a film of dust in the air. All I know that I was reaching for my inhaler as friends from around the world used social media to ask me what I was complaining about and how this happens all the time.

Oh well.

As I sat on a park bench struggling for air I began to reflect and remember to breathe - and then the whisper of God began to echo in my ears.

For years now God has used the analogy of breathing to help me understand an approach to spirituality. I breathe in and I remember what I want to ask from God, what I receive from Him. I breathe in peace, life and hope each time I pray. But this is only half of it, because breathing teaches me that I need an outward breath too - and in my prayers this is giving, serving and allowing my prayers to turn into action.

If I just breathe in alone or just breathe out it doesn’t work and I’d be in trouble.

This simple of art of breathing was one of the inspirations for Punk Monk, the story of 24-7 Boiler Rooms. As we embarked on weeks and months of 24-7 prayer we naturally breathed out in care for the poor, mission and service. It was as natural as... breathing.

But as I coughed and wheezed my way through air thick with the sand of the Sahara desert I heard God speak to me quietly.

“How’s your breathing Andy?”

Lousy was my immediate response. It was - both physically but also in my balance of life. Busyness had pushed me into breathing out too much and not spending enough time breathing Jesus in. My lungs were struggling.

I realised too that all this Saharan sand was also speaking to me. I began to notice how I’d be allowing myself to breathe in much that wasn’t helpful. I needed to clear my lungs.

At that moment, sitting on a little park bench, I coughed loudly and tried to take a long deep breath.

“Help me to pray, help me to breathe” was my simple refrain each time I breathed in the air.

How’s your breathing today? Too fast, too slow? Are you breathing out too much, or maybe not enough? Are your breath’s of God’s Spirit too shallow, too fast?

Spend some time reflecting and asking God to give you breathing lessons once again.

All images are used by permission in accordance with commons copyright license terms: Feature image is a derivative of the images 'pollution' by jubarrier

#prayeralert: South Sudan Facing Starvation

Laura Gish

South Sudan is hungry

One-third of the population is at severe risk of starvation as they face the worst food shortage in Africa since 1980.

The country needs $230 million of aid and they need it now. Basic resources for farming and survival are needed over the next 60 days to avoid this tragedy.

Since many people have been driven from their homes due to continuous fighting and great political instability in this newly independent nation, their ability to grow crops has significantly diminished. Towns, agriculture, trade, and production of oil have also been disrupted by the conflict within the country.

Appeals for aid have been made, but the requested funds for South Sudan have not been fully provided.

Your prayers are needed for this great nation.

Please pray for South Sudan:

Pray that funds are provided. Ask God to impress on hearts to give so that lives will not be lost.

Pray the news of this danger would be heard throughout the nations so volunteers and donors would step up to help the people of South Sudan.

Pray that those who hunger would not only be provided for with physical bread, but that they would hunger for Truth and find the Bread of Life.

Pray that fighting would cease and hearts would be turned to God. Pray that people would be able to return to their homes and their way of life speedily.

All images are used by permission in accordance with commons copyright license terms: Feature image is a derivative of the images 'We left because of the war' by DFID - UK Department for International Development and 'Wet, Muddy, Nasir' by Owen Fuller

Laura Gish is passionate about prayer and God’s Word! She oversees prayer for The Seed Company, a Bible-translation organization based in Texas. She’s a sanguine-type who loves coffee with friends, family time, traveling, and hanging with her dog — and in no particular order. She loves a rich plot and always a happy ending. Follow her on the Million Praying Women blog or on Twitter.

Going deeper

The Prayer Course

Six videos to fuel discussion and deepen the prayer life of your church

24-7 Prayer and Alpha have teamed up to produce The Prayer Course - six 10 minute videos, hosted by Pete Greig, to help you explore different themes of prayer found in the bible: adoration, petition, intercession, unanswered prayer, listening to God and spiritual warfare. Available for free download at www.prayercourse.org

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24-7 Prayer - UK Registered Charity 1091413

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Missionary Renegade

Monday, April 14, 2014

United Kingdom - 24-7 Rewind "Life in the Movement for Monday, 14 April 14, 2014

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