We usually refer to the passage in Matthew 6:9 as the "Lord's Prayer."  It would be better to title that one, "The Disciples Prayer" because it is Jesus' instructions to the disciples about how to pray.  There are several passages that contain prayers of the Lord Jesus but none so extensive as the one in John 17.  We'll be studying this chapter for a while on Sunday mornings; this week our text is verses 1-5.  The prayer is divided into three parts, 1) Jesus' prayer for Himself, 2) Jesus' prayer for His disciples, 3) Jesus' prayer for the church.  The first section is connected to "The Disciples Prayer" because the priorities are identical.  First, Jesus taught and prayed that we should relate to God as "Father."  Then, He taught and prayed about certain priorities; namely God's Name/Glory, God's Reign and God's Will.  We tend to pray our priorities and live our priorities.  What do we pray about a lot?  What "frames" the things we pray about?  We can talk to God about anything but what do we talk to God about?  This prayer of Jesus helps us understand His mind and priorities...in turn this should shape ours.  Why do we have such a hard time keeping our "prayer priorities in order?"

Funny, there are peace signs on shirts, people wear them on their ears and even have them as tatoos.  However, wearing a peace sign does not mean someone has peace.  They might want it for themselves or for their family or for the world but it takes more than wearing something to really have it.  Some people are so desparate for peace they will take various chemicals to have some pseudo-peace.  Of course, when the chemicals wear off the anxiety returns.  There is no doubt that some anxiety is chemically induced and people need help but the fact is much of our anxiety is the result of ignorance or wrong thinking.  We have the resources for peace.  Jesus promised this, He provided for it, in fact He even said we could have His peace and He said that on the night in which He was betrayed.  That kind of peace is not just "personality."  That kind of peace comes from embracing and living in light of what is true.  The Lord Jesus says we may have peace, Sunday's message will address this further.  What have you found helpful in knowing God's peace?