Prayer In John S Farewell Discourse

It was reported that a doctoral student at Princeton once asked Albert Einstein, “What is there left in the world for original dissertation research?” He replied by saying, “Find out about prayer. Somebody must find out about prayer.” Since Einstein’s day, a great deal has been written on the topic of prayer in general. However, relatively little has been written about prayer in John’s Farewell Discourse in particular. Therefore, this analysis not only seeks to understand the relationship between Johannine and Jewish, Greco-Roman, and Christian prayer traditions, but also seeks to discern the unique function and application of prayer as it is prescribed in the Farewell Discourse.

In this study D. A. Carson illuminates Jesus's message to his disciples after the Last Supper, in which Jesus proclaims the coming of the Holy Spirit and prays for himself, his followers, and the world. D. A. Carson clearly explains what Jesus taught his disciples the night before his crucifixion. This exposition of John 14-17 helps students of the Bible appreciate Jesus's teaching on the coming and the work of the Holy Spirit, his high priestly prayer, and his commandment to love one another.

Von Speyr continues her wonderful reflections on the Gospel of John, concentrating here on The Farewell Discourses of Jesus, which reveal both the heart of John's Gospel and the Heart of Our Lord. Adrienne von Speyr was a contemporary Swiss convert, mystic, wife, medical doctor and author of some 70 books on spirituality and theology. She entered the Church under the direction of one the greatest theologians and spiritual writers of the 20th century, Fr. Hans Urs von Balthasar, who became her spiritual director and confessor for the last 30 years of her life. Her writings, recognized as a major contribution to the great mystical writings of the Church, are being translated and published by Ignatius Press. Among her most important works are Book of All Saints, Confession, The World of Prayer, Handmaid of the Lord, and The Passion from Within.

It was reported that a doctoral student at Princeton once asked Albert Einstein, "What is there left in the world for original dissertation research?" He replied by saying, "Find out about prayer. Somebody must find out about prayer." Since Einstein's day, a great deal has been written on the topic of prayer in general. However, relatively little has been written about prayer in John's Farewell Discourse in particular. Therefore, this analysis not only seeks to understand the relationship between Johannine and Jewish, Greco-Roman, and Christian prayer traditions, but also seeks to discern the unique function and application of prayer as it is prescribed in the Farewell Discourse.

What is the power of prayer? It is easy not to even think about prayer until trauma happens. Everything seems to be going very well until we slip and fall. Life is filled with beauty and joy until it isn't. Then is God listening? Silence is deafening, and the lack of communication is frightening. Many people know the familiar "Lord's Prayer" found in Matthew's Gospel, and for good reason. Some of us memorized it in our childhood. But actually, we may know little about prayer, or we have tried to avoid it altogether. Within varied denominations and customs, people have rituals and practices about prayer that are deeply ingrained. Some are very helpful, but some do not raise prayer above a mysterious obligation and a duty. Sadly, perhaps we have lost our "prayer innocence" with time, traditions, and the painful experiences of life. This book is a focus on unusual names or titles for God on the lips of Jesus in John's Gospel. Names reveal identity: who is God, who is Jesus, and who is the Holy Spirit? A better understanding of God can have a profound effect on one's prayer life. Knowing God is the power of prayer; it can move us from obligation to love. There are numerous books on "effective" or "successful" prayer in the "religious" section of the bookstore or on the internet. This is not one of those books. It is not about how to pray, but it is a book about the One to whom we pray. Life is a rocky, craggy trail, and we all need dependable, available help when we slip and fall. Then, we can lift our hearts and thank Someone who loves us. That is the power of prayer.