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{Prayers of the New Testament} ~8

 JOHN’S VISION - 

Praying with our bodies_ 

 
Standing, sitting, kneeling, lying down. Hands together, folded, open, cupped, held up, held out. 
Eyes closed, eyes open, looking up, looking down. 
Still, swaying, pacing, walking. 
People use their bodies in prayer in very different (and sometimes creative) ways. 
For as many different people as there are there are different ways to centre / focus ourselves and express ourselves in prayer. 

 

[Group discussion starter] Think about (and share) some of the ways that you have used your body in prayer and worship. What emotions and inner attitudes does each body posture communicate to you? Are there ways that you would like to express aspects of prayer and worship with your body, but are unable to? 

 

 
A powerful vision causes John to use his whole body in worship. John’s prayerful response to the vision can inform the way we pray and help us to use our bodies more comfortably as we come before the Lord... 

 

[Read Revelation 1:9-20] 

 

If you were going to create a piece of art based on what John saw, what medium would you choose and why? 

What colours would you use? 

 

How does John describe himself and his situation in verses 9-10? 

 

When and how have you experienced “the suffering,” the “kingdom” and/or “patient endurance” as characteristics of the Christian life (verse 9)? 

 

In what ways do you pray for and seek to help Christians who suffer elsewhere? 

 

Out of all of the components of John’s vision of Jesus, which are most striking to you? 

 

In verse 17, what do you think is significant about John’s physical response to this vision? 

What is significant about Jesus’ physical response to John? 

 

In verses 17-18, Jesus gives four reasons why John does not need to be afraid. 
Paraphrase these four reasons. 

 

Which of these four give you the most comfort? 

 

Jesus gives John a command and an explanation in verses 19-20. If you were John, what questions would you have after hearing Jesus’ words? 

 

[Activity] Go back over the whole passage, looking for all the places where the five senses are evoked. 

 

 

 

 

[Activity Two] How would you like to engage your five senses and your body more frequently in prayer? Brainstorm the ways that could be done.

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