Christian Faith As Prayer

“So Lord, Teach Us presents the Christian faith not as a set of beliefs but rather as a prayer that you must learn to pray. Along the way, we will discuss doctrines, but Christian doctrines are like prayer, a set of practices. The doctrines are meant to help us pray, “Our Father. . . .” This book is shaped by the Lord’s Prayer because the prayer is a mark of the journey called Christian. The prayer names the danger you will face as well as providing the help–the necessary skills–you will need for negotiating the dangers of the journey. Christianity means conflict. We never forget, as we pray, that the one who taught us to pray in this way was crucified” (William H. Willimon & Stanley Hauerwas, Lord, Teach Us: The Lord’s Prayer and the Christian Life, 15).