It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day hustle and bustle of life. But sometimes, we need to take a step back and reflect on what really matters. And that’s why I wanted to pen this Common Prayer for Ordinary Radicals. I know this isn’t going to be an easy read, but I believe it’s necessary if we want to make a real difference in the world. So please, take a few minutes out of your day and read through these words. They may just change your life for the better.
Common Prayer For Ordinary Radicals
The apostle Paul tells us, “Live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” (Eph 4.1) In this community we are committed to living lives worthy of the calling of Christ. We are ordinary radicals. We believe that through prayer, scripture and sacrament, God is at work within each of us, empowering us to go out into our communities and world to change it for good. We believe that grace will always trump judgment. So in an effort to strengthen our resolve and deepen our relationship with Jesus Christ we put together this book of common prayers for ordinary radicals.
The apostle Paul tells us, “Live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” (Eph 4.1)
The apostle Paul is writing to his converts in Ephesus, urging them to live a worthy life. His admonition isn’t just for clergy or church leaders; it’s for everyone who has been called by God. We’re all called to be faithful and obedient and we’re not perfect yet, but that doesn’t mean we can’t live worthy lives now—and every day as long as Christ lives within us (cf John 14:19).
The call begins with faithfulness in our relationships with others—including those outside of the church, like our neighbors and coworkers—as well as within it: “Do not neglect your gift” (1 Timothy 4:14-15). It continues with hospitality towards strangers: “Welcome one another” (Romans 15:7)
And once we are full members of this body of Christ, we must never forget that there is still more work to be done! We become servants of one another (1 Peter 4:10) when we look out for each other’s welfare rather than our own interests alone.”
In this community we are committed to living lives worthy of the calling of Christ.
In this community we are committed to living lives worthy of the calling of Christ. It is our desire to follow him in every area of life, so we ask that you join us as we pursue this goal together.
In this space, prayer is not just a request for things to happen or desires to be fulfilled but rather an act of spiritual communion with God and others. We believe that it’s through our prayers that we can form deep relationships with one another, and by doing so, participate in God’s work of forming new communities where love reigns supreme.
As you pray with us on a regular basis, please feel free to share your own experiences as well!
We are ordinary radicals.
An ordinary radical is someone who chooses to be the change they wish to see in the world. We do this by identifying and addressing injustice, privilege and oppression wherever we find it with both our words and actions.
We are ordinary radicals because we believe that everyone has a role to play in making the world a better place. And no matter what our background or life experience, everyone can be an extraordinary force for good if they choose to stand up against injustice wherever it occurs—at home, at work or school, in your community—and speak out when you see something unjust being done.
We believe that through prayer, scripture and sacrament, God is at work within each of us, empowering us to go out into our communities and world to change it for good.
Prayer, scripture and sacrament are the three pillars of our faith. Prayer is a way to communicate with God. Scripture is a way to learn about God. Sacrament is a way to be in God’s presence-which can happen through physical as well as spiritual means. We believe that through prayer, scripture and sacrament, God is at work within each of us, empowering us to go out into our communities and world to change it for good.
We believe that God’s power is made perfect in weakness.
You’ve already heard this verse before. You’ve probably even written it down and committed it to memory: “God’s power is made perfect in weakness.”
The first time I ever wrote this line down, I was a teenager. And I didn’t understand what it meant at all. It sounded like a contradiction: How can God’s power be made perfect in weakness? And why would we want our power to be made perfect in weakness?
But over time, as I continued to study the chapter where this phrase appears (2 Corinthians 12), and as I prayed about it more often during my quiet times with God, an understanding began to emerge for me. The verse isn’t saying that God’s power is actually made perfect through our weaknesses—it’s saying that He can use them! His strength isn’t diminished when we experience difficult circumstances or when life gets hard; instead, they allow Him to reveal Himself and His love more fully than ever before!
And we believe that grace will always trump judgment.
And we believe that grace will always trump judgment. Grace is a gift, given freely by God. It is the power of God to forgive and transform us—to save us from our sins, so we can live new lives in Christ. Grace is not earned or deserved; it’s simply a gift from above, freely available to all who believe in him—no matter their past or present circumstances.
So in an effort to strengthen our resolve and deepen our relationship with Jesus Christ we put together this book of common prayers for ordinary radicals.
This book is for ordinary radicals who want to strengthen their resolve and deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ.
It’s for people who are not religious and never have been, but still long for a deeper connection with God. It’s also for those who have already found a home in a church community, but are looking to grow in spiritual depth and maturity. And finally, it’s for Christians who need help finding words when they pray or simply feel like they’re doing it all wrong.
This book contains prayers that can be used by anyone who reads them—whether they’re Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox Jew or Muslim; whether they’ve been practicing their faith since childhood or just found God last week—because these simple prayers were written by an ordinary person (me!) out of my own struggle to pray like an adult rather than recite something I learned as a child at Sunday school class!
It is important for ordinary people to pray together as a group on a regular basis.
In the Bible, prayer is depicted as a way to communicate with God and one another. It is also a way for Christians to be in relationship with each other. In this way, prayer can be used as a tool for building community, especially within groups of people who may not otherwise have much contact with each other. So when you pray together as a group on a regular basis—whether it’s at church or in your home—you are saying that you want to be connected as one body of Christ. You’re saying that “God’s house” belongs to everyone regardless of race, gender identity or sexual orientation; it belongs equally to all people who follow Christ here on earth (1 Corinthians 14:26).
Prayer: A Method for Solving Problems
Prayer is a method for solving problems. Prayer can be used to gain insight into a problem, to ask for guidance, and to receive help from God. Prayer can also be used to forgive others, express gratitude, and make requests for forgiveness.
When praying, it is important to be sincere and focused. It is also helpful to have a specific goal in mind when praying. For example, if you are trying to solve a problem with someone else, it can help to pray for that person specifically. If you are praying for yourself, it can be helpful to focus on your goals and objectives.
Prayer can also be used during times of crisis or difficulty. When things are tough, spending time in prayer may provide comfort and support. It can also help us connect with God on a deeper level and find solutions to our challenges.
No matter what the problem is or how difficult it may seem, prayer is always an option worth exploring.
The Purpose of Prayer
Prayer is a spiritual practice that can be used to connect with God. The purpose of prayer is to learn about God and to connect with Him. Prayer can also help us to grow in our relationship with God.
Praying for Others
Prayer for Others is a powerful tool for change. When we pray for those in need, God helps us to see their situations from his perspective and to ask for what he can bring to bear on the situation.
When we pray for others, we open ourselves up to receive guidance and help in our own lives as well. Many times when someone is going through a tough time, they need someone to care about them enough to reach out and offer words of encouragement. Prayer can be that person for someone else.
When we pray for others, it also allows us to get closer to God. He knows what everyone is going through, and by praying with sincerity and humility, we are able to access his power and strength. Praying for others allows us to connect with him on a deeper level and experience his love in a way that truly impacts their lives.
Conclusion
In the aftermath of Donald Trump’s historic victory, it is important that we all come together as a community to figure out what went wrong and how we can make sure this doesn’t happen again. One important way that we can do this is by recommitting ourselves to common prayer. Prayer has the ability to connect us with God in a powerful way, which can help us reflect on our collective values and find ways to work together for the common good. So please join me in praying for our country and its leaders as they try to navigate these challenging times.