As we have been traversing more of the theoretical when it comes to prayer - defining terms, exploring some different understandings of prayer - we have not yet read much on how to pray. Buttrick helps take us there. In a lucid, practical way, Buttrick reveals the basics of what every Christian's personal prayer life includes.
Because they are the so-called "basics" does not mean they are easy to embody regularly. Let us consider Buttrick's wisdom and make a way to understand how we might shape our private prayer lives.
Read and annotate the reading selection and answer the following questions on your blog:
Because they are the so-called "basics" does not mean they are easy to embody regularly. Let us consider Buttrick's wisdom and make a way to understand how we might shape our private prayer lives.
Read and annotate the reading selection and answer the following questions on your blog:
- At the core, what is prayer, according to Buttrick? What do you think of this understanding? How do you feel about this definition? Describe.
- Buttrick tries to dance between emphasizing that prayer has "no rules" and "no fixed order" while also providing specific elements of private prayer that one "may" do - what one might consider rules. Why do you think this tension exists? What do you think Buttrick is trying to do here to hold these in tension?
- List and describe the elements of prayer that Buttrick describes.
- How do you respond to Buttrick's words in section 5 & 6 on confession and contrition? Look up words you don't know here to be sure you are understanding him accurately. Especially note his discussion of our self regard (sec. 5) and our will (sec. 6).