Rev. Tania Dozeman, preaching John 17:20-23 Discussion Questions: Julia of Norwich had a stronghold to retreat to hear God’s Word. Do you have a place in the world that you retreat to on occasion to connect with God? What makes that space special for you? Julian of Norwich says, “Prayer ones the soul to God.” We also hear a quote about how prayer works from Fiora Slosson Wuenner, “The person who prays is channeling new, healing life into the world the same way a living plant breathes oxygen into the atmosphere.” and “For the Christian, prayer releases the whole problem into the healing hands, the healing light of Christ. Then, like expanding yeast within a loaf of bread, the light expanding in the darkness, the breath of life filling and revising the lifeless body, the healing transformation begins its holy work at depths far below our conscious awareness.” What resonates with you here? How would you describe to another person how prayer works out of your lived expereince? Read John 17:20-23, a part of Jesus's prayer aloud. What stands out to you the most as you hear it spoken? Why? Tania says, “While the culture around us tempts us to join the divisiveness bandwagon, particularly now in this political season, which is unbelievable in its treatment of human beings, Christ calls us and prays for us to be different. Jesus said, “so that,” Then they’ll be mature in this oneness, And give the godless world evidence That you’ve sent me and loved them In the same way you’ve loved me. The world needs to see churches and individual Christians behave and act differently. This includes our personal social media posts. In this season (please only talk about yourself), what can you do to advocate for justice but also hold fast to the way of Christ and Christ’s goal for us? Where have you seen one-ing with God in the last year? In your personal life, community/nation, or this church? After naming them, pause to give God a prayer of thankfulness.