I’ve read 4 chapters of my Christian book ‘Beholding‘. It was a struggle initially as the author kept trying to make the point that God and prayer shouldn’t be a transactional relationship. I had no issues with this as I’ve become less pleased with the greed of capitalism.
I don’t like transactional relationships at all especially with God. I believe in the idea of ‘justification by faith’ not works is what God is judging. Eventually the author has begin to move onto prayer. I liked the Jesus prayer he suggested to do from the heart:
“Lord Jesus Christ, son of God have mercy on me”. I can see me doing this prayer alot when I am struggling from the heart. It is straightforward and direct. The author use to use it when he was unwell too.
Sometimes I do the Lord’s Prayer but that can be too much sometimes. The Jesus prayer is one I could do more often and in more settings alone. It seems to make prayer less formal but still from the heart. Hopefully there are more inspiring prayers in this book.
Our Father in heaven,
The Lord’s Prayer
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.