The first priority in Archbishop Mark’s Apostolic Priorities for the Archdiocese of Brisbane, documented in With Lamps Ablaze, is Teaching Prayer. He says, “Often we urge people to pray but don’t really teach them how to pray… Now is the time to teach ways of prayer which are mature and all-embracing. Christian prayer begins not with speaking but with listening; and learning to pray is therefore learning to listen – to listen even to the silences of God. If all we do is speak, then in the words of Jesus we “babble like the pagans” (Matt 6:7). But if we speak after listening and in response to God who always has the first word, then we speak according to the mind of the Holy Spirit. That’s what we need to teach and learn. In the Gospel of Mark, we read that Jesus called the twelve apostles to himself, first of all, “that they might be with him” (3:14). This is where the mission starts: being with Jesus, which is what prayer is.”
Join us for our new weekly series, Let’s Pray, where we invite you to pray along with us. Each week we will invite you to pray a new prayer with us – maybe you don’t know what to pray, or want to pray along with someone, or want to practice your faith through prayer. Our Let’s Pray series is for everyone.
This week, we invite you to pray for Christian unity to bring Christians together to love one another as God loves us and proclaim the Gospel. The unity of Christians is very much at the heart of Jesus’ message. In the Gospel of John, Jesus said “I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (John 17:20-21). In this way we can truly witness to God’s love in our world. So, let’s pray.
- Prayer for Christian Unity
Prayer for Christian Unity
Author: Archdiocese of Brisbane
Hi, I’m Margaret Naylon and my role is Executive Officer for the Council for Ecumenism and Inter-religious Relations. What that really means is that I help the Archdiocese connect with and work with other Christians and people of other Faiths. The unity of Christians is very much at the heart of Jesus’ message. In the Gospel of John, Chapter 17, Verse 20 he prays that all his followers may be one so that the world may believe. In this way we can truly witness to God’s love in our world.Today I invite you to pray together for Christian unity.
Lord Jesus Christ, at Your Last Supper You prayed to the Father that all should be one. Send Your Holy Spirit on all who bear Your name and seek to serve You. Strengthen our faith in You and lead us to love one another in humility. May we who have been reborn in one baptism be united in one faith under one Shepherd, You, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Thank you for praying with us. I hope to see you again soon.