Anticipation

I just finished reading Philip Yancey’s book, “Prayer, Does It Make Any Difference?” for the first time. Wow!

As I’ve been reading the book, I’ve also started on some ideas for the study guide for the Koinonia class’s study that will start January 7. Our class will condense the book’s 22 chapters into a 13 week study, so it will be a quick trip through a book that will take multiple readings and a much longer time to digest.

One concept about prayer I gleaned from the book also applies to the study: realize that no one method of prayer works for everyone, or for anyone all the time. Do what works for you. In the same way, no one method of study works for everyone, or for anyone all the time. Since we’ll be looking at the book through different eyes, we’ll be trying different methods of study so each of us can find what works best in our own lives.

For those who are not in the Koinonia class, but who want to participate in the study along with us, I’ll be posting the study guide on this blog. You can participate by entering your own comments. I ordered enough copies of the book for all in the class. If others want a copy of the book, you can click on the photo of the book in the left panel and order one through Amazon.com at a discount. By the way, Koinonia members, the books have been shipped. They would have been here on the 22^nd, but they have been held up in Salina, Kansas due to the closing of I-70 by the blizzard. They probably won’t be here until after Christmas, but I’ll get them to you as soon as they arrive.

I eagerly anticipate the first 13 weeks of 2007 because, having read the book, I know that everyone who participates in the study will see themselves, God, and prayer in a new light. As you anticipate the study, whether eagerly or with some skepticism, try this: take a moment to reflect on what you expect out of the study of “Prayer, Does It Make Any Difference?”. Do you expect to learn something new? Get some questions answered? Change your pattern of prayer? Develop a closer relationship with God? Or something else—something known only to you and to God.

The act of reflection, and of saying what you hope to receive from this study will itself be a prayer. See, it’s not so hard. You’ve started already.