Kingdom Come: Prayers for a Gospel Heritage

By Dena Rosko

The Kingdom Come prayer book comes in time to breathe prayers of peace and goodwill for the gospel as a shared heritage of the family of God. This book, following the Kingdom Come Trilogy and devotional, is a must-use for ministers, community leaders, seminary learners, care sharers, chaplains, and people of faith who desire to pray together and practice an ancient walk with God for our times. The prayer book, as the devotional, follows the heritage model of the Kingdom Come Trilogy to encourage us of the basic resources and safe love needed to nurture a neighborly heritage. Each chapter begins with the heritage model to mirror the heritage formation of the Trilogy. Pray together for a gospel heritage kingdom come today!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dogwood Group
• Release date: Jan 24, 2023
• ISBN: 9781792349812

Book preview

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thank you to God for walking with me through perinatal to postpartum to lay the foundation for a vocational ministry as a Christian mother, writer, and minister.

Thank you to my son for celebrating my books, for encouraging me that it's time to go to work now so I can finish the lovely and wonderful books, for dropping what you are doing to pray with me, for reminding me to find the good in challenges, to trust God, to enjoy, to encourage you, and much more by your joyful, kind, and faithful example. Most of all, thank you for being you, for shining bright with your diligence and passions, and for your company and love.

Thank you to Mom and Dad for your prayers for me and my family, for your commitment to daily prayer and devotion, for our times together, and for your support with the project.

Thank you to the women in my family, Aunts Dora and Yvonne, Claudia, Lisa, Debi, Debbie, Donna, and Dixie. Thank you auntie Dora for your daily devotions and prayers.

Special thanks to ministers, mentors, and instructors through my formative years (on-going!) including Pastors Keith Churilla, Martin Jensen, Dave Jongeward, Colleen M., Valerie M., Lois M., Kathia L., Mrs. Jane H., Janet W., Jenni B., Judith O., and many others too numerous to list. Thank you for validating writing and/or ministry. My heart feels grateful!

Special thanks to the churches and leaders of Renton, Wash. and the West Hill communities for your hospitality, support, and space for me to pray and build this content including Rev. Drs. Linda Mae Smith and Scott Anderson and Revs. Colleen Chinen for your forewords and encouragement for the Trilogy, and many more ministers.

Special thanks to Bishop Zachary K. Bruce, Sr. for welcoming my family and me home, and for the ministries you collectively serve so many communities, to Minister Mary for your lovely and gentle conversation, to Pastor Charles and Prophetess Christine Allen for being faithful to your calling in prayer ministry, and to Angela for your friendship, heart to minister, encouragement, and prayers.

Thank you to my prayer partner, Courtney, and to Thelma, Martha, Emily, Corianne, Sandy, Julie, and Babette for praying for my healing. Thank you to Skyway prayer partners for the fun, gifts, and prayers through my childhood, and to the late Mrs. Norman for affirming the value of my smile.

Thank you to the moms of the pilot group in the early development of the heritage model, and whose participation reminded me to not despise early beginnings (Zech. 4:10).

Thanks to Corey for reminding me that God's love sustained me through the story that brought me to this place.

Thank you to Ashley L. for exhorting me to write beyond a goal or a chore, and as God gives gifts to enjoy and to share with respect to limitations and personal beauty.

Thank you to President and Minister Henry R., Abigail M., Abby D., and the staff, learners, and volunteers at Christian Leaders Institute (C.L.I.) for donation-based ministry training, ordination credentials to support my writing and coaching ministry, fellowship, prayers, and early interest in the ecourse, We Story of a Gospel Heritage.

To creative contemplatives and the faithful for stalwart commitment to the power of prayer together in spirit and in solitude as family in Christ regardless the era or affiliation.

Thank you to family, friends, neighbors, civic and community leaders, and loved ones who played, shared, served, and prayed through challenges and triumphs.

Any names, affiliations, or organizations besides my own are not in any way responsible for the content.

To a little baby born in a common house and swaddled in a manger who grew up to show us the way of truth for love and life, and your persistence to love a world that forsook you. May we be wise enough to so love you with all you have lovingly made (1 Jn. 3-4; Deut. 6:4-5, 11, 28; Isa. 9:1-6, 53; Jms. 2:8; Jn. 3, 10-17; Lam. 3:21-23; Lev. 19:18; Lk. 1-4, 10:25-28; Mk. 12:29-31; Matt. 1:21-23, 5-6, 22:34-40, 25; Psa. 103-106, 131:2, 145:9; Rev. 2:7, 3:20, 20-22; Rom. 8; Zeph. 3:14-20)!

Kindly,

Dena Michele Rosko, Ph.D., M.A., C.L.C.M.

www.denamichelerosko.com

[e-mail]

www.dogwoodgroup.io

[e-mail]

Dogwood Group

Renton, Wash.

November 11, 2023

FOREWORD

Prayer reminds me of a word that we need to think about. Communication. Remember that word, communication. Let's pray:

Father, I pray Lord that the Holy Spirit will speak through me, that you use me, and that all our minds and hearts will be opened by your hand, and that we will be encouraged by your word. I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Well, communication. Communication is a technique that requires discipline. I know you never have done this, but I have, I have to make decisions on occasion. And my beautiful wife Maria said, I can talk about this, so it's okay. I'll be walking down the hall almost to my destination, and Maria will say something. I have to make a decision. Do I go back, or do I ignore? I have to say sometimes I ignore her. Not the best communication. But again, communication requires discipline. Listening is important.

Our communication with the Lord. We need to listen to God when he speaks to us. If we don't listen to him, then we're going to have problems, right? We're not going to do his will. In Romans 12:12, the Lord defines three characteristics of a Christian. One is joyful in hope, the other is faithful in prayer, and the other is patient in suffering. What I want to focus on is prayer. Prayer is our communications to the Lord, and the outstanding thing about the Lord is that he is always available. He is always there to listen to us and talk to us.

Now, I don't know, I'll just tell you one more thing about the world itself. If you've ever called the I.R.S. with a question, you better have a strong battery in your phone because the phone probably died before the answer.

I want us to turn to Ephesians 6:18. This verse deals with prayer without giving up on prayer. So Ephesians chapter six, verse 18 tells us to pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. Does this come to mind? We are alert, and always keep on praying all the time.

So prayer is important for us as believers, especially lately, right? It's been difficult, has it not? But one of the things that was amazing to me, and I shouldn't be amazed because God's always in control, right? But one of the songs that we sang at the service reminded me that what the devil means for evil God turns it into what? Good.

The devil's never going to win. We know that, right? Amen. Never forget that he's never going to win. In fact, God is using something as terrible as the pandemic for good. That's right. Some ministries have grown significantly by using technology to reach more people for Christ. Before the pandemic one ministry served about 22,000 people. Now it ministers to over a million. Praise God for technology.

This doesn't mean that the pandemic or lives lost was good. No, it was not. It is not. It does mean that God can take even the worst trials, and work them out for his good.

I am a living testimony of this after our trials, if I want to call them that, this year. I'm so grateful to be here today.

The fellowship and to see all of you singing was so amazing. It's a great form of worship. Is it not? Yes. So it was great to hear that. Worship.

Prayer always comes without giving up. My wife Maria's church in Skyway prayed for me for 10 years. Maria and I were married for 10 years before I was saved. The church prayed for me for 10 years, and I accepted Christ.

We had a couple of friends from church. One prayed for her brother for 50 years. Four months before he died, he accepted Christ. So we are not to give up on prayer. Never give up on prayer. That's what the devil wants us to do.

It's important to look at our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ's prayer life, while He was on the earth. I want us to turn now to Mark 1:9-13. This is the passage that talks about John the Baptist baptizing our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Holy Spirit lived within the Lord Jesus Christ, the man, on earth. So it tells us in beginning of the gospel that Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan River. As Jesus was coming up from the water, he saw heaven being torn open, and the Holy Spirit descending on him like a dove. God the Father's voice came from heaven saying, 'You are my Son, whom I love, and am well pleased.' Then the Spirit sent Jesus out into the desert, and he was in the desert for 40 days being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and the angels attended to him.

What's exciting about that passage is that as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, when we receive Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, the Holy Spirit, the same Holy Spirit by the way, that dwelt in the Lord Jesus Christ while he was on this earth dwells in us. We have the same abilities that he had.

Jesus went where the Holy Spirit sent him even though the devil was there to meet and to tempt him. Jesus spent 40 days and 40 nights without food and nourishment. What happened during that time? He was tempted three times by Satan. Three times. Jesus rebuked Satan with Scriptures. He told Satan to leave. Satan left.

There's another lesson for us. We have so much power available to us as believers. People are struggling now, and as we've talked about, how different ministries are growing so much, what the devil means for evil, God uses for good. So many people are being saved. We have so many opportunities.

Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. He was filled by the Holy Spirit. God the Father said, 'You are my Son whom I love.' The Father said that. He didn't say, 'I'm sorry you are my son.' No. He said my Son whom I love. I am well pleased.

Once the Spirit led him to the desert, and he was tempted. It's important to remember the power that we have. I have learned that anxiety is a waste of time. It's a huge distraction from a walk with the Lord. I'm not saying that I haven't been anxious, but it's a huge distraction. So the fact that the same Holy Spirit that lived within Jesus Christ, the man, the Son of God, on earth, that's very exciting to know.

First Corinthians chapter three verse 16 tells us, Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple, and that God's Spirit lives in you? Don't forget that. Always remember that. And remember what the Bible says about the fruit of the Holy Spirit: Love. Joy. Here's a good one for us right now: Peace, right? Peace, patience, faithfulness, gentleness, kindness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23).

So let's take a look at Jesus' prayer life. Jesus prayed when he was alone, in public, before meals, before important decisions, before healing, after healing, and to do the Father's will. Jesus also prayed for unity the night before he died. If we use our Lord's pattern of prayer, and follow it, we will have a good and faithful and productive prayer life.

Jesus also taught on the importance of prayer. You'll find most of this in the gospels. There's a lot of good ways to learn more about prayer. One of the things that Jesus taught about prayer in Matthew chapter 21 is that if you believe you'll receive whatever you ask for.

Jesus even prayed when he was struggling as the God man, knowing what was going to happen to him on the cross, the horrible treatment, mentally, physically, spiritually. But Jesus prayed a great, positive prayer, 'not my will, but your will be done.' We need to pray for, and follow, God's will.

Sometimes life is difficult, but guess what? We're all going to him. Jesus. Trials are nothing compared to how we can have a great testimony. So we can be testimonies, by our struggles, to others. We can help others.

There are so many people, as I said earlier, because of this pandemic, and all the evil that Satan is trying to destroy Christianity. And he will not do that. He can't do that. He's not capable, but people are afraid, and they're struggling. There's so many ways we can help them. If we allow the Holy Spirit to speak through us, that's the important part.

It shouldn't be us. It should be the Holy Spirit that ministers. Even when he was on the cross, Jesus prayed. He said, 'Father, forgive them.' The last prayer Jesus prayed before he gave up his spirit was to forgive those who wronged him. We read in Luke 23 verse 46, 'Father, into your hands, I commit my spirit.' So the last thing that Jesus did, while he was on this earth as God, the man, was to pray.

That's a great challenge for us. Is it not? It's a great challenge. There is a guideline if you want to read this. This is John 15 verse seven. Jesus said, 'If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you will ask what you will.'

You can liken it to a house. You live in a house. It's your residence. We, when we abide in him, we go on trusting. We keep depending on him. We never stop believing. We persevere through the Holy Spirit.

What are we to do as believers? Pray.

We have had difficult times during the pandemic, but we can follow what Jesus did in his 40-day test in the desert. He rebuked the devil with the Scriptures by the Holy Spirit, who at that time lived within Jesus to give him the strength and the ability to glorify God and himself. And many people were saved. We, too, can let the Holy Spirit fill us completely. He's never going to leave us as believers.

When we don't communicate with Jesus Christ, it hurts him in some ways. He wants to talk to us. He's always available. He's not like that automatic answering service. He's not like the husband that walks down the hall, and makes a decision not to listen to his wife. He's there.

Jesus is always available. Always.

Praying is one of the first things that I try to do every morning when I wake up. The Bible tells us to pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:16-18). It's an attitude. It's talking to the Lord all the time. And he listens.

Satan and his demons will not win this battle. We already have heard things about what God is doing, and how many more people are being saved. That's exciting. Don't be anxious. We should not let trials stop us from praying.

The Bible teaches when people turn things into idols, on some occasions, there are trials. In the Bible, people suffered, then they returned to God. Then later, they turned away again. That does not mean all trials are from sin. No. But let's not do that. Let's not turn away from the Lord. Let's stay with the Lord. Let's walk in Him. Let's let him guide us with the Holy Spirit during difficulties. There's great power in that.

More people are listening to the gospel. Now, you know, Satan, you're not winning this just because of closed doors at a church. We love to be together and worship. It's very special. But that didn't stop God's Word from being spoken.

Philippians chapter four verses six and seven tell us to be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. When we feel the peace of God we'll have more understanding and freedom.

By the way, it's tough when you get older. It's important to me. Don't be anxious. Philippians says, be anxious for nothing. We don't have to be, you know. Read Romans 8:34. You can see in Romans 8:34, who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus who died, more than that, who was raised to life, and is at the right hand of God. And he's now praying in heaven for us. He's our intercessor. Jesus is like our attorney with God. He's there for us. He prayed on earth as the God man. He prays in heaven as well. Jesus still prays!

We have the Holy Spirit within us that helps us to pray. In verse 26 of the same chapter, in the same way the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for. But he himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. He who searches our heart knows the mind of the Spirit, the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. Giving us tremendous power.

The song says, I'm so glad I'm a part of the family of God. Singing is such a fantastic ministry. I don't know about you, but sometimes when I sing, the songs bring me to tears.

Philippians 4:4 tells us to rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, rejoice! We need to look at the trials that we face today as opportunities, and not with anxiety as a distraction from our walk with the Lord, and the peace that he wants us to have. Pastor Jensen was one of the best role models I have ever known. And today he's with the Lord. Rejoicing in his presence. One of the statements that he said in one of his messages that I've never forgotten is belief determines behavior. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, believe that you are saved by accepting him as your personal Savior (Acts 16:31-34). Believe that the Holy Spirit resides within you with more power than you can even understand. That the Holy Spirit can use us as his temple. We can glorify him.

I've been saved about 44 years. I accepted the Lord 44 years ago (1978). Before that I rejected the Lord in a lot of ways. But God has changed that in one of the verses that I think about when I think back to then. It says, I'm crucified with Christ. Nevertheless, I live, yet not I, but Christ lives in me, and the life I now live I live in faith (Gal. 2:20).

Faith. Forsaking all I trust Him. I live by the faith of Jesus Christ. And the love he has. The verse says, faith in the love he has for Jesus Christ who has faith in us. Is that not exciting? It is to me. I'm sure it is to you.

I have a daily devotional called Jesus Calling that my wife and I read, and I thought I'd shared this with you:

You are mine for all time. Nothing can separate you from my love. Since I have invested my very life in you, be well assured that I will always take care of you. When your mind goes into neutral and your thoughts flow freely, you tend to feel anxious and alone. Your focus becomes problem solver. To get your mind back in gear, just turn toward me. Bring yourself and your problems into my presence. Many problems vanish instantly in the light of me because you realize that you are never alone. Other problems may remain, but they become secondary to knowing me and rejoicing in the relationship I so freely offer you. Each moment you can choose to practice my presence or to practice the presence of problems.

Don't use that choice because of what will happen. You will get anxious. I've been there!

I was looking at a verse this morning. I will now close with this. Proverbs 15:29 says, the Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayers of the righteous.

Jesus hears our prayers. Never forget that prayer is powerful.

Daniel E. Claudon, Father

Message at Southcenter Community Baptist Church

Tukwila, Wash.

April 11, 2021

Adapted and Edited

Fairwood, Wash.

January 19, 2023

PREFACE

As a child I walked around my parents' house of a quarter acre praying to God. I felt at home in nature with God.

As a teenager I attended prayer groups, and enjoyed secret prayer partners in the women’s group. Each Christmas we revealed our identities after breathing prayers, and sending cards, gifts, and encouragements of all ages.

As a young adult I prayed with a small bunch in the tiny prayer chapel on campus. There on worn blue and familiar carpet with hardened wooden pews we poured out our hearts, tears, worries, and homesickness on dropped knees and covered faces, or at least dropped a card in the prayer box. Alumni from the class of 1946 of my grandmother gathered and preached for their reunion in that chapel.

At my first-year of college, I studied Bible, theology, and journalism. I doubted my academic path due to rotten grades and syllabus shock that first semester until two professors encouraged me. One, Dr. and Pastor Dave Jongeward, validated my writing as, and for, ministry. The other, Dr. Karl Kutz, affirmed my worth as a scholar. These early influences, plus academics, ministers, family, and friends since then, have inspired me to continue this now 27-year plus path.

As an adult opportunities for prayer came one-on-one and family gatherings, but less so as group and congregational prayer. Pandemia saw phone and text prayers. I have missed the early regular prayer days. After the pandemic, I visited the church of my childhood to pray. I'm grateful for each person who has prayed with and for me.

As a child Pastor Jensen preached about how to go to heaven (Jn. 3:16). I went home, and my dad led me to the Lord as we sat together on a burlap loveseat from the 1970s, the kind that imprints your skin, using the Romans Road, a collection of verses from Romans that steps salvation.

I jumped up dancing, twirling, and shouting, I'm a Christian! I'm a Christian! My mom walked in the living room surprised at the celebratory excitement and noise.

My family's heritage of faith impressed upon me the value of daily devotional and prayer life, active contributions in church that my grandma co-chartered, diligence in work that applies our gifts to acts of service to help where needed, with integrity of character, and often with hospitality and friendly conversations with newcomer and neighbor.

This early imprinting left me desiring a connected family of Christ, and influenced my heart for ecumenical ministry through writing. I encourage and inspire people to develop cultures of heritage in their ministries, partnerships, and organizations by writing, publishing, and training creative content about heritage theology, formation, and care across multiple genres, by facilitating groups, workshops, and retreats with dialogue and heritage circles, and by consulting and coaching leaders, advocates, carers, and families. To minister, the gospel promises a beautiful story of a shared heritage together in Christ that can bless and light the world!

I wrote this prayer book to enliven the heritage theology and formation in the Kingdom Come series, to improve access in communities for people to develop cultures of heritage, and for folks to reflect on and engage what heritage through the gospel for a vision of kingdom come means to them.

Carers can individually or with others reflect on their transition to heritage. People can individually or in groups, teams, congregations, and partnerships pray to connect content with their needs and strategies, and challenges and triumphs. Ministers, teachers, and advocates can pray the prayers that resonate with their sermon themes, lecture topics, and assembly purpose. Learners and researchers can study the references as a thematic and contextual concordance for prayer. You will find ecumenical prayers that can enliven, enrich, and deepen prayers through a thorough, compelling, and rooted in Scripture study based on a systems approach to a gospel heritage kingdom come. If all else, together we can revive and revitalize prayer in our daily lives.

I revised and expanded this prayer book to companion the other volumes, Kingdom Come: A Gospel Heritage for the Realities of Basic Needs, Kingdom Come: A Gospel Heritage for a Legacy of Safe Love, Kingdom Come: A Gospel Heritage for the Future, and Kingdom Come: A Devotional for a Gospel Heritage.

The chapters derive from the heritage model in the Kingdom Come trilogy. Each chapter shares a Meditation, Prayer, then Benediction. Chapter topics comprise the heritage model that I shared in the trilogy, or advent, slow, shelter, water, food, rest, and outside (Part I: Basic Needs of Heritage); physical, mental, emotional, social, cultural, institutional, and political (Part II: Safe Love for Heritage); and, spiritual, community, compassion, validation, healing, kingdom, heritage, and epilogue (Part III: Heritage for the Future). The final pages (Part IV) include prompts for journaling prayers for whole systems of a gospel heritage.

I wrote the prayers as I read through the Holy Bible noting heritage and kingdom come. I gleaned prayers that integrated the Word with this interpretative process:

1) Draw a principle from a Bible passage;

2) Turn the principle into a prayer of praise, gratitude, lament, intercession, or petition;

3) Relate prayer to themes from the heritage model;

4) Connect prayer with Scriptures about heritage and kingdom come;

5) Reference prayer based on keywords in each sentence of prayer;

6) Cross-reference or include Scriptures from both sections of the Bible, the Old and New Testaments,  or Tanakh and Gospel;

7) Cross-reference Scriptures by keywords in each prayer where 'two or more agree' (Matt. 18:1-20);

8) Discern details for specific references and themes for chapters where details risk confusion or misuse;

9) Integrate with themes, symbols, and stories about heritage, kingdom come, and the gospel;

10) Validate realities of suffering and of systems by putting the Word into context for basic needs, safe love, and continuing;

11) Proofread, revise, review, and expand chapters in tandem with research of Scripture, especially for core passages about heritage, kingdom come, and whole systems (e.g., 1 Cor. 15; 1 Jn. 3-4; 1 Kings 17; 1 Sam. 2, 12:22; 2 Cor. 5; 2 Kings 4; 2 Sam. 21:10-13; Acts 16:31-33; Deut. 6:4-5, 11, 28, 32:18; Eph. 1:5, 5:1; Exod. 1-12, 20; Gen. 1-3, 12, 15-18, 38-50; Psa. 1:1-6, 34:3-5, 71:6, 94:14, 100:5, 123:2-3, 128:6, 131:2, 139, 146:10; Hos. 2:18-20, 11:3-4, 13:8; Isa. 6:1-6, 9:1-6, 11:1-10, 25, 26:19, 42:14, 43, 49, 53:1-12, 58-61, 65:17-25, 66:13; Jer. 17:7-9, 29:1-14, 30:17-31; Jn. 3, 10-17, 19:25-27, 20:31-33; Joel 2:26-32; Lk. 13:34, 15:8-10; Mal. 4:1-6; Mk. 9:36-37, 10:16; Matt. 1:21-23, 5-6, 9:36-38, 11:28-30, 18, 19:13-15, 23:37-39, 25, 28:18-20; Rom. 1:16-17, 8-16; Ruth; Zech. 8, 14; Zeph. 3:14-20);

12) Edit chapters for arrangement by organizational synthesis, plot, style, grammar, typos, and flow;

13) Inquire feedback from ministerial leaders and readers for the Forewords and a pilot study group;

14) Engage communities with the series, media, encouragement services, and ecourses;

15) Gather with communities and leaders to pray the prayers, do the devotions, and write the journals;

16) Put into practice: pray daily, throughout, and often; and,

17) Repeat!

I synthesized prayers from the Holy Bible about heritage and kingdom for a whole systems approach that breathes the Word to context instead of arguing over ideological details (Jms. 3:16, 5:14-20; Mk. 10-12; Matt. 1:21-23). We live a gospel heritage in-between kingdom ideals and whole systems realities in formation, and not as a flatlined theology.

I wrote and published the Heritage Theology, Formation, and Care series to live out an intention of the gospel for a foundation as a vocational mother, to advocate and design whole systems for heritage, to labor towards a vision of kingdom come, and to scale these efforts to support ministry and community leaders, parents, guardians, carers, children, and elders through dynamic times. Support embodies encouragement, exhortation, validation, and integration.

This encompassing labor can benefit carers, ministers, chaplains, congregations, groups, community, ministry, non-profit, and civic leaders, volunteers, health practitioners, researchers, seminary learners, and theologians around transitions of life cycle in whole systems. The labor breathes the Word into the living context of systems to redeem them.

For transition to motherhood, I journeyed in prayer, writing, counseling, and facilitating circle groups with other mothers. I shared this heritage model to bridge in-between, or liminal, spaces of essential transition that society seems to have persistently neglected or forgotten.

The trilogy, devotional, and prayer books build from previous research that storied ideals and contextual realities to design partnerships of faith as compassionate and communal systems for a thriving future for generations to come. The effort needs prayer for the power of God to bless and cast the story for his glory for we must cast what we crown to receive better (1 Peter 5:6-10; 2 Chron. 7:14; 2 Cor. 3:18, 5:14-17, 10:5; 2 Peter 1:17; 2 Sam. 8:2; Col. 1:13; Deut. 6:4-5, 28; Eph. 1:6, 2:8-10; Ezek. 17:17, 23:42; Ezra 10:1; Heb. 2:7-9, 5:5, 11:6; Isa. 6:1-3, 42:1; Jms. 1, 4:6-10; Jn. 3, 14:6, 17; Job 6:21, 19:25-27; Jude; Lk. 9:23-49, 11:14, 14:27, 21:1; Mic. 6:8-14; Mk. 1:11-16, 9:7-38, 10:50, 15:24; Matt. 3:17, 4:18, 9:7, 12:18, 16:24, 17:5, 18, 19:14, 23:12, 27:35, 28:18-20; Prov. 3:34; Psa. 8:5-9, 24:7-10, 37, 46, 74:7, 89:39, 131:2; Rev. 3:10-20, 4:4-10, 12:3, 13:1, 19:12; Rom. 11:15; Titus; Zeph. 3:14-20).

I originally planned to keep the volume trim and light as a breath. I chose to maintain fidelity and cogence with previous versions by referencing prayers to give it its due effort. This effort meant more time and rigor. This prayer book warranted a cogent, coherent, and contemplative narrative to match the demure girth of the other books in series.

The integrity as its own volume, and the sheer necessity for ministry to succeed, makes prayer essential. Readers can turn Scriptures into a prayer, and references into Bible study.

I adapted conventions of style and referencing from my background in the humanities, social, and organizational sciences. Trained theologian writers and astute readers will notice that I listed books of the Bible alphabetically instead of chronologically or canonically, abbreviated books of the Bible differently in some cases, used straight quotes and dashes, and italicized and center aligned prayers. The use of several translations of Scriptures honors ecumenical traditions, and mirrors the depth and richness of the Bible. This move respected gratis use versions of the translations cited, the labors of their teams, and contributions to historicity.

I expect that these changes to convention in theology and publishing may aggravate some yet aid application in the field as people work through massively condensed content in groups, organizations, congregations, partnerships, leader retreats, workshops, circle groups, support groups, or solo with the Holy Spirit on timelines that suit their needs. Readers keen on conventions of style will pardon these adaptations.

Moreover, the phrasing a gospel heritage sounds as an add-on to the gospel (2 Tim. 2:15, 3:16-17; Col. 4:6; Deut. 4:2, 6:4-5, 12:32; Eccl. 5:2-6; Gen. 3:1-4; Isa. 6:1-6, 58:13-14; Jms. 3:1; Mk. 7:13; Matt. 12:36-47, 22:29, 24:24; Prov. 18:21, 25:11-13, 30:5-6; Rev. 22:18-19). First, the title, limitations of language, and economy of space prompted me to condense and synthesize a style of anthropomorphizing words.

Second, I amplified a theme neglected yet inherent in the preaching of the gospel with heritage and kingdom themes instead of ideological and political gambits, rants of heuristics and hyperbole, or bias strewn from personal experience, popular opinion, denominational affiliation, cultural customs, functions of projection, or prejudice of gender, race and ethnicity, class, and age. Third, I included references for transparency, and grounded prayers in Scriptures. Fourth, I organized content based on the heritage model in the series.

Fifth, the series approaches the gospel with a whole systems perspective. Sixth, the series can prepare seminarians and other leaders for pastoral care and translation of the gospel to realities and ideals.

Seventh, by divine grace and mercy I have sought to live out my calling through adversities and pressures to encourage people and to minister with writing, to scale lessons gleaned from suffering, and to preach the message of salvation, heritage, and kingdom come (1 Tim. 4:14-16; 2 Cor. 12:8-9; Acts 1:8, 20:24; Eph. 2:8-10; Isa. 6:1-6; Jn. 17:3; Joel 2:26-32; Matt. 18:20-30; Psa. 103:1-7, 105:1, 149-150). God grant us more grace as we grok the gospel in a storied way emerging from that tatami mat on a nursery floor, and beyond the thumb press of generations, to a new place.

The lengthy in-text citations increases transparency yet may reduce readability. We can employ the references for further study and prayers although the references seem cumbersome cited at the end of each prayer.

Usage of Hebrew warrants a community inquiry to ensure that I did not culturally appropriate practices though I attempted inclusion by including references from both parts of the Bible while honoring familial and heritage themes, by reaching out to a rabbinical leader in my area, and a non-profit, for sensitivity, and by validating kingdom tensions including oppression, trauma, and celebration.

I have made my process transparent. If all else, I emphasize the gospel as salvation of whole systems by a God who redeems all he has lovingly made for his heritage embodied as kingdom come (1 Cor. 1:10, 10:15-17, 11:27-30, 12:27; 1 Kings 17; 1 Sam. 12:22; 1 Thess. 4-5; 2 Cor. 5; 2 Kings 4; Acts 3:15, 4:12, 16:31-33, 17:28; Col. 1:18-27, 3; Eph. 4; Exod. 12; Ezek. 40-48; Gal. 6:9-10; Heb. 3:1-6; Hos. 2:18-20; Isa. 6:1-6, 9:1-6, 11:1-10, 25, 26:19, 43, 49, 53, 56:7-8, 58-61, 65:17-25; Jer. 7:11; Jms. 1:27, 2:8, 5:14-20; Jn. 14, 17, 19:25-27, 20:31-33; Joel 2:26-32; Lk. 1-4, 7, 11, 18:15-18, 23; Mal. 4:1-6; Mk. 11:17; Matt. 1:21-23, 5-6, 18, 19:14, 21:12-13; Mic. 4:1-4; Psa. 34:3-5, 49:8, 94:14, 100:5, 131:2, 139, 145:9-10, 146:10; Rev. 19-22; Rom. 8, 11-12:3-5, 16; Zach. 8, 14; Zeph. 3:14-20).

A whole systems understanding of the gospel dialogues a solution of heritage in service to kingdom come beyond the ergo of sales and rhetorics of individualism as a passive unit only. Prayer rekeys tone and reframes conversations for a hospitable witness that attracts and invites people to a forever family as children of God (1 Jn. 3-5; Eph. 1:5, 5:1).

God begat his Son from a woman and the Holy Spirit, raised by a surrogate father, and initially forsaken by the systems of his day to empathize with our plight, and save the world (Heb. 4; Jn. 3; Matt. 1). Jesus called the will of God the eternal life of us (Jn. 6:35-40, 17). We must be born again and grow up (1 Cor. 3; 1 Peter 2; Eph. 3-6; Gal. 1, 5-6; Jn. 3).

The gospel invites us to know the Lord, to join the family of God,