Sixth Talk
JOYS AND CONCERNS WHICH WE CAN PRAY ABOUT TOGETHER

Purpose:  To open our lives to the nurture and support of our brothers and sisters in our Reunion Group in order that we might more completely understand them and be Christ to them.

To become a visible expression of obedience to the new commandment which Jesus gave us when he said:  "Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  If you have love for one another, then everyone will know that you are my disciples."  John 13: 34-35.  What is this love Christ is asking us to feel?  It is Agape love where, in our hearts, we want the spiritual best for ourselves and others, and as in Matthew chapter 25, we act according to God’s will.

As we open up to the other members of our Share and Prayer Group we are able to tell them about anything which causes us discomfort, to share with them the failures we experience in attempting to be Christ-bearers to those around us, to solicit their prayers in all things, knowing that their response will always be a loving response in which we will be built up and affirmed.

I.	Example in scripture:  When the Holy Spirit called Barnabas and Saul, the Church at Antioch fasted, prayed, laid hands on them and sent them off.

II.	What is our motivation in this time of prayer?  We want to encourage each other to be our best in the eyes of God, soaring in joy and love that comes from knowing others want only the best for us in our relationship with God and our actions for God.

III.	Explain that they will encounter obstacles on their Christian journey – obstacles that take their focus off the love of God and their call to pass His love on to others.  Give a couple of examples of the kind of obstacles they are likely to experience.
	a. Negativism in the institution
	b. Criticism of your actions (“If you were really Christian, you wouldn’t be doing…”)
	c. Temptation to do wrong
	d. Too critical of yourself

IV.	Response of the Leader

A.	Invites participants to spend 15 minutes in discussion of talk.  Leave groups of four intact.

B.	Instructs residents in small groups of four to share their joys or needs, then joins the group in praying for the expressed needs of each other.