As Bishop of the Lutheran Church of Australia in NSW and ACT and New Zealand I have prepared a prayer for all
The prayer poster is available here
Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Devotional Prayer Book: Guide to Prayer: For Ministers & Other Servants by Rueben P Job (Author), Norman Shawchuck Ph.D. (Author)
A guide to prayer for ministers and other servants is a best seller for nearly 3 decades!
This classic devotional and prayer book is a compilation of scriptures, prayers, readings from well-known spiritual writers, and hymn texts.
Each week centers on a different theme and follows this format: invocation, psalm, daily scripture readings, readings for reflection, prayers (for the church, myself, others), reflection time, and a hymn.
The back of the book contains models for 12 personal one-day retreats.
Featured writers include William Barclay, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Carlo Carretto, Mother Teresa, Richard J. Foster, Elton Trueblood, C. S. Lewis, Henri J. M. Nouwen, Simone Weil, and many others.
Friday, May 19, 2017
You are not alone - a prayer book for victims of domestic violence
You Are Not Alone: A Prayer Book for Victims of Domestic Violence, is the newest resource from the LCMS Domestic Violence and Child Abuse Task Force. It is free of charge.
This devotional prayer book will help victims give voice to their heavenly Father in the midst of heartache and despair. As the author shares: This little booklet is a beginning, a first step on a long road. It provides written prayers for victims to use in different occasions, when they may not be able to identify what they’re feeling or what they need.
To download or preview a copy visit here
This devotional prayer book will help victims give voice to their heavenly Father in the midst of heartache and despair. As the author shares: This little booklet is a beginning, a first step on a long road. It provides written prayers for victims to use in different occasions, when they may not be able to identify what they’re feeling or what they need.
To download or preview a copy visit here
Thursday, May 12, 2016
Book: Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals
Common Prayer helps today’s diverse church pray together across traditions and denominations. With an ear to the particulars of how various liturgical traditions pray, and using an advisory team of liturgy experts, the authors have created a tapestry of daily prayer that celebrates the best of each tradition.
The book also includes a unique songbook composed of music and classic lyrics to over fifty songs from various traditions, including African spirituals, traditional hymns, Mennonite gathering songs, and Taize chants.
Tools for prayer are scattered throughout to aid those who are unfamiliar with liturgy and to deepen the prayer life of those who are familiar with liturgical prayer.
Ultimately, Common Prayer makes liturgy dance, taking the best of the old and bringing new life to it with a fresh fingerprint for the contemporary renewal of the church.
Churches and individuals who desire a deeper prayer life and those familiar with Shane Claiborne and New Monasticism will enjoy the tools offered in this book as a fresh take on liturgy.
The book also includes a unique songbook composed of music and classic lyrics to over fifty songs from various traditions, including African spirituals, traditional hymns, Mennonite gathering songs, and Taize chants.
Tools for prayer are scattered throughout to aid those who are unfamiliar with liturgy and to deepen the prayer life of those who are familiar with liturgical prayer.
Ultimately, Common Prayer makes liturgy dance, taking the best of the old and bringing new life to it with a fresh fingerprint for the contemporary renewal of the church.
Churches and individuals who desire a deeper prayer life and those familiar with Shane Claiborne and New Monasticism will enjoy the tools offered in this book as a fresh take on liturgy.
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
Book: iPray: A simple Prayer book for- Ministry, Mercy and Multiplication
God said, "My house will be a House of Prayer for all the nations." (Isaiah 56:7) When Jesus cleansed the temple, this is the verse that He cited. Why? Jesus was standing in the outer courtyard of the temple; this was the only place that the Gentiles could come and worship YHWH; but the religious leaders had made it into a barnyard, a place to buy and sell animals for sacrifice. The Gentiles had no where to worship God.
Christian believers are living stones being built into a Spiritual house, a royal priesthood offering sacrifices that are acceptable to a living God. One of these sacrifices is Prayer. The original temple is gone, just as Jesus prophesied. But followers of Jesus are the living temple; our bodies are indwelt with the Holy Spirit. It is still God's desire for His House to be a House of Prayer. With the Holy Spirit inside us, a believer is led to desire Prayer more and more. In fact, the Holy Spirit prays for us. The Apostles said that they would work towards becoming strong in Prayer and the ministry of the Word (Acts 6:4).
This book was written to help believers today to become strong in Prayer; especially Prayer for the purpose of Ministry, Mercy and Multiplication. In this book you will find actual examples from over a decade of ministry- not theory. You will see what is actually working in hundreds of churches. This is a practical resource taken from the experiences of Jim Buckman, mission strategist who helps churches plant new worshipping communities by using the House Church model and training the Priesthood of the Baptized to work under the supervision of their Pastors. Prayer is an important key to building relationships with others. Jim has found that asking the simple question, "How can I pray for you?" to be very effective in building relationship with others, ultimately so that we can share the Gospel. "How can I pray for you?" is a doorway to learning what really matters to others, providing care they actually want and a transparent way to build a faith focused relationship so that you can share the Good News that in Christ, we have one Who always Prays for us (Romans 10).
Christian believers are living stones being built into a Spiritual house, a royal priesthood offering sacrifices that are acceptable to a living God. One of these sacrifices is Prayer. The original temple is gone, just as Jesus prophesied. But followers of Jesus are the living temple; our bodies are indwelt with the Holy Spirit. It is still God's desire for His House to be a House of Prayer. With the Holy Spirit inside us, a believer is led to desire Prayer more and more. In fact, the Holy Spirit prays for us. The Apostles said that they would work towards becoming strong in Prayer and the ministry of the Word (Acts 6:4).
This book was written to help believers today to become strong in Prayer; especially Prayer for the purpose of Ministry, Mercy and Multiplication. In this book you will find actual examples from over a decade of ministry- not theory. You will see what is actually working in hundreds of churches. This is a practical resource taken from the experiences of Jim Buckman, mission strategist who helps churches plant new worshipping communities by using the House Church model and training the Priesthood of the Baptized to work under the supervision of their Pastors. Prayer is an important key to building relationships with others. Jim has found that asking the simple question, "How can I pray for you?" to be very effective in building relationship with others, ultimately so that we can share the Gospel. "How can I pray for you?" is a doorway to learning what really matters to others, providing care they actually want and a transparent way to build a faith focused relationship so that you can share the Good News that in Christ, we have one Who always Prays for us (Romans 10).
The book is part of the ipray.org, a ministry of prayer for ministry, mercy and multiplication, which also offers an app to assist you and your church in prayer.
Wednesday, July 01, 2015
Article: 5 prompts for praying the news
Everyday, right before our eyes we are given opportunities to pray...every news story is an opportunity to pray....
In the article 5 prompts for praying the news Kristi Atkinson discusses a way of praying the news....take a moment to read, reflect and share this article
In the article 5 prompts for praying the news Kristi Atkinson discusses a way of praying the news....take a moment to read, reflect and share this article
Monday, July 14, 2014
Book: iPray - a simple prayer book for ministry, mercy and multiplication
Learn how to train men and women to use Prayer for the purposes of Ministry, Mercy and Multiplication.
Actual examples from over a decade of ministry- not theory; see what is actually working in hundreds of churches.
Practical resource taken from the experiences of Jim Buckman, mission strategist who helps churches plant new worshipping communities by using the House Church model and training the Priesthood of the Baptized to work under the supervision of their Pastors.
Prayer is key to building relationships with others.
Jim has found that asking the simple question, "How can I pray for you?" to be very effective in building relationships with others, so that we can share the Gospel.
"How can I pray for you?" is the doorway to learning what really matters to others, providing care that actually want and a transparent way to build a faith focused relationship so that you can share the Good News that in Christ, we have one who always Prays for us.
Actual examples from over a decade of ministry- not theory; see what is actually working in hundreds of churches.
Practical resource taken from the experiences of Jim Buckman, mission strategist who helps churches plant new worshipping communities by using the House Church model and training the Priesthood of the Baptized to work under the supervision of their Pastors.
Prayer is key to building relationships with others.
Jim has found that asking the simple question, "How can I pray for you?" to be very effective in building relationships with others, so that we can share the Gospel.
"How can I pray for you?" is the doorway to learning what really matters to others, providing care that actually want and a transparent way to build a faith focused relationship so that you can share the Good News that in Christ, we have one who always Prays for us.
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
World Mission Prayer League -
The World Mission Prayer League is a Lutheran community committed to know Christ, pray for the advance of His kingdom, share the gospel and ourselves with those who do not know Him, and encourage Christians everywhere in this global task. Prayer is our working method.
We embrace a rich heritage that flows from the passionate witness of Christians faithful to the call of Jesus. Our ministry realizes the vision of Ernest Weinhardt to bring the Good News into the heart of Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The World Mission Prayer League consists of some 6,000 committed and praying members. WMPL has over 100 missionaries in 20+ countries.
“We must have it as our aim to bring the gospel to the very last man. Wherever there are people who have not heard the gospel, to them we must go, no matter how few in number they may be.” – Ernest Weinhardt, WMPL Founder
Their church partners include:
We embrace a rich heritage that flows from the passionate witness of Christians faithful to the call of Jesus. Our ministry realizes the vision of Ernest Weinhardt to bring the Good News into the heart of Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The World Mission Prayer League consists of some 6,000 committed and praying members. WMPL has over 100 missionaries in 20+ countries.
“We must have it as our aim to bring the gospel to the very last man. Wherever there are people who have not heard the gospel, to them we must go, no matter how few in number they may be.” – Ernest Weinhardt, WMPL Founder
Their church partners include:
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania
- North Western Gossner Evangelical Lutheran Church
- Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church
- Bangladesh Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church
- Iglesia Evangelica De Confesión Luterana Del Ecuador
- Iglesia Evangélica Luterana en Chile
- Iglesia Evangélica Luterana Boliviana
- Association of Free Lutheran Congregations
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
- Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ
- Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod
- North American Lutheran Church
Visit their site to discover how they have been working for over 75 years, how you can serve and partner with them
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Book: A guide to prayer for minister and other servants
This is an ecumenical resource that offers devotions and prayers that are thematically for each week of the year. There is also schedules for 12 personal retreats. The authors have adopted the following daily format: daily invocations, readings, scripture, reflection, quotes from a range of Christians (some well known and others not so well known), prayers, weekly hymns, benedictions and printed psalms.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Prayer Roster
I have developed a prayer roster for our parish, that maybe helpful for other Lutheran Congregations, especially in Australia
It is available in a spreadsheet format .xls
And the roster allocates a week for:
each LCA congregation
each LCA aged care facility
each LCA community care agency
each LCA school
each LCA committee/group/commission
Lutheran churches throughout the world
Catechism sections
Other denominations
to help you and your congregation to pray regularly for others
Click here to obtain a copy
It is available in a spreadsheet format .xls
And the roster allocates a week for:
each LCA congregation
each LCA aged care facility
each LCA community care agency
each LCA school
each LCA committee/group/commission
Lutheran churches throughout the world
Catechism sections
Other denominations
to help you and your congregation to pray regularly for others
Click here to obtain a copy
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Prayer resources
Prayer is an essential part of a Christian's life. Prayers involves talking to and listening to God.
We pray as individuals, alone or part of a group, and we pray together as a group such as in worship.
Prayer can take many forms. Some times we use formulas, other times it is off the cuff, sometimes it is responsive, other times it someone prayers on our behalf (the Holy Spirit even prays for us when we don't have the words to pray.
Below are a range of prayer resources that help you in your journey in prayer....
As you read the following two texts ask yourself what does Jesus' teaching on prayer say to us about God, us, how we are to pray and the things we are to pray for?
From Luke 11
11:1 Now Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he stopped, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” 11:2 So he said to them, “When you pray, say:
Father, may your name be honored;
may your kingdom come.
11:3 Give us each day our daily bread,
11:4 and forgive us our sins,
for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.
And do not lead us into temptation.”
and From Matthew 6
6:5 “Whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, because they love to pray while standing in synagogues and on street corners so that people can see them. Truly I say to you, they have their reward. 6:6 But whenever you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you. 6:7 When you pray, do not babble repetitiously like the Gentiles, because they think that by their many words they will be heard. 6:8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 6:9 So pray this way:
Our Father in heaven, may your name be honored,
6:10 may your kingdom come,
may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
6:11 Give us today our daily bread,
6:12 and forgive us our debts, as we ourselves have forgiven our debtors.
6:13 And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
6:14 “For if you forgive others their sins, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 6:15 But if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive you your sins.
More of what Jesus says
Who to pray for:
Matthew 5:43-48
Matthew 19:13
Luke 6:27-28
What to pray for:
Matthew 9:35-10:1
Matthew 18:15-20
Matthew 24:20
Matthew 26:39-44
Mark 11:24-25
Mark 13;14-23
Mark 14:32-41
Luke 10:2-3
Luke 22:39-46
John 17
How to pray
Luke 18:1-8
Luke 18:9-14
Luke 21:34-36
Luther's biblical study of the Lord's Prayer which form part of a Lutheran understanding to prayer.
There are two places to find this....
One is in the Small Catechism (this link includes Bible references)
and the other in the Large Catechism
What does Luther's biblical study on prayer say about God, you, others, praying, what to pray and how to pray?
Luther's approach to prayer.
Many people have benefited from following an approach to praying as suggested by Martin Luther. Think of prayer as having four strands
After reading a passage of scripture, ask the following:
We pray as individuals, alone or part of a group, and we pray together as a group such as in worship.
Prayer can take many forms. Some times we use formulas, other times it is off the cuff, sometimes it is responsive, other times it someone prayers on our behalf (the Holy Spirit even prays for us when we don't have the words to pray.
Below are a range of prayer resources that help you in your journey in prayer....
What Jesus says
As you read the following two texts ask yourself what does Jesus' teaching on prayer say to us about God, us, how we are to pray and the things we are to pray for?
From Luke 11
11:1 Now Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he stopped, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” 11:2 So he said to them, “When you pray, say:
Father, may your name be honored;
may your kingdom come.
11:3 Give us each day our daily bread,
11:4 and forgive us our sins,
for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.
And do not lead us into temptation.”
and From Matthew 6
6:5 “Whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, because they love to pray while standing in synagogues and on street corners so that people can see them. Truly I say to you, they have their reward. 6:6 But whenever you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you. 6:7 When you pray, do not babble repetitiously like the Gentiles, because they think that by their many words they will be heard. 6:8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 6:9 So pray this way:
Our Father in heaven, may your name be honored,
6:10 may your kingdom come,
may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
6:11 Give us today our daily bread,
6:12 and forgive us our debts, as we ourselves have forgiven our debtors.
6:13 And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
6:14 “For if you forgive others their sins, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 6:15 But if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive you your sins.
More of what Jesus says
Who to pray for:
Matthew 5:43-48
Matthew 19:13
Luke 6:27-28
What to pray for:
Matthew 9:35-10:1
Matthew 18:15-20
Matthew 24:20
Matthew 26:39-44
Mark 11:24-25
Mark 13;14-23
Mark 14:32-41
Luke 10:2-3
Luke 22:39-46
John 17
How to pray
Luke 18:1-8
Luke 18:9-14
Luke 21:34-36
Luther's biblical study of the Lord's Prayer which form part of a Lutheran understanding to prayer.
There are two places to find this....
One is in the Small Catechism (this link includes Bible references)
and the other in the Large Catechism
What does Luther's biblical study on prayer say about God, you, others, praying, what to pray and how to pray?
Luther's approach to prayer.
Many people have benefited from following an approach to praying as suggested by Martin Luther. Think of prayer as having four strands
After reading a passage of scripture, ask the following:
- What is the Holy Spirit teaching me as a result of reading this passage?
- What prayer of thanksgiving does this passage prompt?
- What do I need to ask forgiveness for or lament as a result of what God says in this passage?
- What am i being prompted to do that I will need the Holy Spirit's help with?
Then pray the above to God.
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
Prayer of the church: Statement from the Lutheran Church of Australia
- Scriptural foundation for the prayer of the church
- Nature and purpose of the prayer of the church
- Contents of the prayer of the church
- Forms of the prayer of the church
- Leadership of the prayer of the church
Prayer of the Church article by Larry W Myers
Let us pray: Prayers of the Church written for each week in the lectionary. Read a review on the Let us pray resource.
Faith Practices article: Prayer from the Lutheran (Australian) Magazine
Other resources from
Lutheran Church of Australia prayer resources including
- Sentence prayers from the Bible
- Traditional prayers from Christians through the ages
- Mealtime prayers
- Martin Luther’s prayers
- Prayers for Particular Occasions (prepared by the Department of Liturgics, Lutheran Church of Australia)
- Praying for Peace
- Quotes about Prayer and Praying
- More Quotes about Prayer and Praying
Lutheran Church Missouri Synod including
Ablaze prayer resources including Prayer topics and Prayer Vigil kit
Prayer Topics including
- Praying with Others
- Prayer of Jabez
- Prayers for the Dead Common
- Table Prayer
- Prayer Changing God`s Mind
- God Sends Punishment
- Praying with Mormons
- Praying Out Loud
- To Whom Should We Pray
- ''Centering Prayer''
- Contemplative Prayer
ELCA prayer resources including:
Digging deeper in prayer
Prayer: 101
Prayer: Centering
Prayer: Councils and Committees 2006, 2005, 2004
Prayer: Fasting
Prayer: Luther's Way of Praying
Prayer: Jumpstart your Prayer Life
Prayer: Simple Ways to Pray
Prayer: Spiritual Direction
Introducing Prayer Ministry
Advancing Prayer Ministry
Transforming Congregational Life Through Prayer Ministry
Assessing Your Prayer Ministry
A Congregation’s Call to Prayer
Rally Day
Making a Prayer Banner
Lord's Prayer Series
Grounded in Prayer Series
A Month of Prayer Series
Bible Study on Prayer
Creating Congregational Prayer Networks
Intercessory Prayer Team Guide
Organizing a Prayer Chain
Igniter Ideas to Stimulate Prayer
Create a Prayer Stool
Prayer Shawl Ministry
Let Us Pray monthly column featured on the Lutheran Woman Today Web page
Links to Prayer Articles
Augsburg Fortress Resources
Classic Prayers
Prayers for Witnessing
Prayers in a Time of War
Prayers for Peacemaking
Prayers for Peace from Different Religious Traditions
Prayers, Poems and Quotes
Evangelism Strategy: Call the Church to Prayer
Synodical Bishop's Call to Prayer
WELS resources including
Article: Prayer is personal and powerful
Books and other prayer resources for sale
Power Surge Small Group Bible Study covers
- Week 1 “Pray Daily,” Daily Prayer is both a discipline and a gift
- Week 2 “Teach us to Pray,” the Lord’s Prayer
- Week 3 “Search, and Keep on Searching,” Persistent Prayer
- Week 4 “Pray Without Ceasing,” Habitual Presence of God.
Lutheran Church of Australia's Everyday with Prayer and Season Prayer resources
Lutheran Book of Prayer by CPH contains personal prayers for almost every life circumstance, including:
Prayers for morning and evening
Our life of worship
Throughout the church year
For the church
For the nation and the world
For family and neighbors
For the sick, the convalescing, and the dying
Personal prayers
And more
Prayer by O Hallesby
Is your personal prayer life giving you problems? Read this book. It will clear your mind about your need for prayer and strengthen your will to do it. Beyond all that, it will simply flood your soul with goodness and love of God! Chapters include:
- What Prayer Is
- Difficulties in Prayer
- Prayer As Work
- Wrestling in Prayer, I
- Wrestling in Prayer, II
- The Misuse of Prayer
- The Meaning of Prayer
- Forms of Prayer
- Problems of Prayer
- The School of Prayer
- The Spirit of Prayer
- Study Guide
On Earth as in heaven: praying at the crossroads K Bender Braun
Discernment is decision-making that begins and ends with God, according to Braun, and following God's will is a gift from God worked through the Holy Spirit, as is faith itself. So it makes sense that the Lord's Prayer, introduced at a time of transition in Jesus' life and that of his disciples, provides a means for Christians of every age to faithfully work through challenging and confusing times in their lives.Using the petitions of the Lord's Prayeras her framework and offering insights from her own experience of praying at life' s crossroads and being privy to the prayer lives of others, the author leads readers into deeper awareness of God's will in their lives - a will that propels Christians to service.
Everyday Anytime Prayer by Walt Kallestad
Chapters include:
- Prayer expectations
- Prayer language
- Prayer triggers
- Prayer in sighs and screams
- Prayer in desperation
- Prayer on the edge of death
- Prayer and family
- Prayer for safety
- Prayer for hope
- Prayer and my job
- Prayer habits
- Prayer in the midst of failure
- Prayer and sufferings
- Prayer when making decisions
- Prayer and friends
- Prayer and stress
Too busy not to pray by Bill Hybels, Lavonne Neff and Ashley Wiersma
Chapters include:
God calls us into his presence
God's Presence, God's Power
God Is Willing
God Is Able
God invites us to talk with him
Heart-Building Habits
Praying Like Jesus
A Pattern for Prayer
Mountain-Moving Prayer
God breaks down the barriers between us
The Hurt of Unanswered Prayer
Prayer Busters
Cooling Off on Prayer
God speaks to our hearts
Slowing Down to Pray
The Importance of Listening
How to Hear God's Leadings
What to Do with Leadings
Living in God's Presence
Questions for Reflection and Discussion A Guide for Private or Group Prayer
Lutheran Layperson's League tracts relating to prayer for adults and children can be found at this link
if you have a resource relating to prayer and you believe it is worth sharing please let me know.
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