John 17 and the Power of Prayer

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.