One to Watch, One to Pray

"A fine primer on the four gospels by a deacon and former professor of New Testament. Her spring-board is the prayer many of learned as children: 'Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John/Guard the bed I lie upon...' showing the evangelists as true guardian angels or messengers of good news." -- The Living Church The words of the child's prayer, "One to watch, one to pray, and two to keep me till the day," reminds us of the special message of each gospel. This book sketches the shape of the Gospels, the four stories of Jesus. It reveals their similarities and differences and how they relate to one another. All the evangelists have distinctive roles as messengers of the good news and guardian angels of our faith. With Mark we watch; he alerts us to the urgency of the good news. With John we pray, and from him we learn the signs of God at work in the world about us. Matthew is the teacher, who leads us forward to teach others, while Luke reveals Jesus the healer, who brings reconciliation and justice to all creation. Clear, concise, and free of technical language, this introduction to gospel "basics" includes the spiritual and devotional aspects of each gospel as well as critical study tools. It can be used for inquirer's classes, adult study groups, and prayer groups who wish the evangelists to illuminate their faith journey.