The last few weeks we've been doing a deep dive on the core values and practices of Servants of Christ. This week Fr. David Trautman teaches on and exhorts us to prayer.
The last few sentences of his sermon were lost on the recording due to technical difficulties, but we have provided a transcript of his last few paragraphs for your convenience below so you don't miss his closing thoughts.
I want to close with three practical tips from Nicky Gumbel.
Keep it real.
Be honest. Be vulnerable with God. Say what’s on your heart. He doesn’t want to hear about what you think ought to be in you; he wants to hear what is really in us.
Keep it simple.
Jesus cautions us: “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” (Matthew 6:7–8) If you don’t have a regular practice of prayer, start small & simple. Don’t try to become an intercessory prayer monk warrior overnight.
Keep it up.
As I said at the beginning, prayer is hard. But after 25 years, I am so glad that I have kept at it. I have a long way to go. But I think of all the people I have seen healed over the past 25 years. All the marriages restored. All the people set free from addiction. Prayer has had a profound effect on my life. Martin Luther once said, “No one can believe how powerful prayer is and what it can effect, except those who have learned it by experience.” I invite you to experience the power and effectiveness of prayer in your life. Amen.
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