The Purpose of Prayer

I took the liberty and combined four consecutive tweets (from Twitter) from Brian Zahnd on the subject of prayer. It reads as follows:

“We are endlessly tempted to place prayer in the uniquely modern category of self-help. But true prayer is no such thing. Prayer is not a ‘technique‘ for making our lives ‘better‘ as understood by the assumed cultural values of consumerist America. As long as we control the agenda, prayer will be seen as a means of manipulating omnipotence—which is a fair description of idolatry. The primary purpose of prayer is not to get God to do what we think God ought to do, but to be properly formed.” ~ ~ ~ Brian Zahnd

Offertory Prayer for Pentecost Sunday

Lord,

on this Pentecost Sunday,

      we celebrate the Gift of Your Spirit.

Immerse us once again in Your River of Living Water.

Like a Might Wind, blow afresh in our lives.

Send the Fire of Your Holy Spirit

      and rekindle our zeal for You.

Now as we bring our gifts and offerings,

      may we always be reminded to offer to You

           the first and finest,

           the choicest things of our lives

           and not merely the leftovers.

Receive, bless, and multiple our gifts

      that others here and abroad

           may hear of Your great love.

We ask this in the name of Jesus,

      our Baptizer in the Holy Spirit. Amen