What is Christian Praying? | Session 1 | February 2024 the Upper House Lectures

In this electrifying session, Dr. Amos Yong illuminated Jesus' prayer life, planting seeds of wisdom on the importance of nurturing a habit of heartfelt prayer. He adeptly unpacked the beginnings of Jesus' ministry and transported us to those quiet places where Jesus sought solace and strength through prayer. Tony Bolos introduced the concept of immersive learning, revealing how a semester's worth of insight can be condensed into a single enriching evening. Together, they've challenged us to delve deep into the essence of the Lord's Prayer and the compelling portrayal of God as a father, sparking a profound conversation on the role of prayer in our personal lives and communities. Tune in, reflect, and join the Upper House as we explore the confluence of spirituality, ethics, and culture. Don't miss this transformative journey – a moment of discovery that promises to reshape your perspective.Question: What is Christian Praying? The Hows, Whats, and Whys of This Mysterious ActivityAnswer: Amos Yong, Ph.D.Do you ever wonder what we are doing when we pray, particularly in light of Jesus’ and early Christians praying?The biblical accounts provide templates for praying on the one hand but also, if we are open to a fresh reconsideration, raise many questions about this fundamental human activity on the other. Come to revisit and dialogue about prayer — Jesus’, the early disciples’, and our own — whether you consider yourself a “prayer warrior” or someone who doesn’t pray.About our Speaker: Amos Yong is Professor of Theology and Mission at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. His graduate education includes degrees in theology, history, and religious studies from Western Evangelical Seminary (now Portland Seminary) and Portland State University, both in Portland, Oregon, and Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, and an undergraduate degree from Bethany University of the Assemblies of God. Licensed as a minister with the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel, he has also authored or edited dozens of scholarly volumes. He and his wife, Alma, have three children and six grandchildren. Amos and Alma reside in Southern California.Send us Fan MailUpper House Commons gathers the university community for spiritual, intellectual, and vocational formation.We explore big ideas and engage in conversations that matter within arts and humanities, justice and society, leadership and vocation, science and technology, spiritual formation, and theology. Whether you are a student or faculty member at UW–Madison or beyond, working in the marketplace, or serving in the church, we see you as part of our university community. Gather with us for one of our programs —our “commons”— each a pasture for shared spiritual, intellectual, and vocational formation.Head over to our events page to see what's coming soon, or mark your calendar for these upcoming programs.Find out more slbf.org/upperhousecommons