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A life of prayer

Build habits of sincere, communal and thankful prayer.

1. 1. Read and discover - Read lesson

   World English Bible

   1 Thessalonians 5:17

   ¹⁷ Pray without ceasing.

   Read the full chapter

   Understanding the passage

   The brief command belongs to community instructions; continual prayer orients life without canceling work or rest.

   Reflect

   • How could prayer become part of your daily life?

   Put it into practice

   Establish a short prayer pause in your routine.

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2. 2. Praying sincerely - Read lesson

   World English Bible

   Matthew 6:5-8

   ⁵ “When you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Most certainly, I tell you, they have received their reward.

   ⁶ But you, when you pray, enter into your inner room, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

   ⁷ In praying, don’t use vain repetitions as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their much speaking.

   ⁸ Therefore don’t be like them, for your Father knows what things you need before you ask him.

   Read the full chapter

   Understanding the passage

   Jesus challenges prayer performed for an audience and the belief that many words compel God to listen.

   Reflect

   • How does Jesus describe prayer that does not try to impress other people?

   Put it into practice

   Pray privately in simple words about a real concern.

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3. 3. The Lord’s Prayer - Read lesson

   World English Bible

   Matthew 6:9-13

   ⁹ Pray like this: “‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.

   ¹⁰ Let your Kingdom come. Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

   ¹¹ Give us today our daily bread.

   ¹² Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors.

   ¹³ Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.’

   Read the full chapter

   Understanding the passage

   The prayer joins honoring God with daily needs, forgiveness and protection; its plural language includes the community.

   Reflect

   • How does this prayer invite us to think about other people too?

   Put it into practice

   Pray each petition with another person in mind too.

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4. 4. Watchfulness and gratitude - Read lesson

   World English Bible

   Colossians 4:2

   ² Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving,

   Read the full chapter

   Understanding the passage

   Paul connects persistence, attentiveness and thanksgiving; sustained prayer remains awake to real needs.

   Reflect

   • How can gratitude accompany an unanswered request?

   Put it into practice

   Write one thanksgiving beside a continuing request.

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5. 5. Praying for one another - Read lesson

   World English Bible

   James 5:16

   ¹⁶ Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective.

   Read the full chapter

   Understanding the passage

   Confession and prayer appear as communal practices; the passage calls for mutual care rather than exposing others’ private matters.

   Reflect

   • How can we pray for one another while respecting trust and privacy?

   Put it into practice

   Ask a trusted person how you can pray for them.