To follow Jesus is to follow his example. Jesus modeled for all of us what it means to love one’s neighbor, forgive one’s enemy, and to care for the outcast and hurting, etc. However, one thing Jesus modeled for us that we don’t think about often is prayer. Prayer seems like an easy thing for those who haven’t really tried it, but for those who have tried prayer, it can become a source of frustration and discouragement rather than peace and encouragement. Following Jesus and growing our faith very much has to do with praying. Luckily for us, Jesus taught us all we need to know about why we should pray and how we should pray.
1.Before today, what image came to mind when you thought about prayer?
2. Has prayer ever been a source of frustration, guilt, or discouragement to you? Explain.
3. Busyness is an excuse we use often in our culture to explain why we don’t do many things we know we should do and even some things that we want to do. What can you do concerning your schedule, your daily/weekly routine to set yourself up for success as it relates to growing your faith through prayer?
4. Jesus talked much about motives. We talk a lot about actions. Growing our faith is the joining of the right motives and right actions. What are some of the wrong motives that drive people to pray?
5. To be known is both our greatest desire and also our greatest fear. However, our heavenly father has invited us to seek him, come after him, draw near to him because even though he knows us best He is the one who loves us most. What should this type relationship we enjoy with God teach us about our relationships with others?
6. How should thinking of God as Father impact our prayers?
7. Jesus wanted us to be conscious about whose kingdom we are busy building — ours or his. In what ways can we make life more about our kingdom than His?
8. Why is it important to remind ourselves everyday that we depend on God for His provision of daily bread?
9. Jesus taught us to pray and seek forgiveness as we also forgive others. Why do you think Jesus would include both sides of forgiveness?
10. How do you think praying every day could affect your life and help grow your faith?
11. Were you taught to pray or just told to pray? Have you thought of "The Lord's Prayer" as a prayer to replicate or as a prayer to use as a model of how to pray?
Decide and commit to a daily prayer time for the next 30 days.
Set a time. Get a place. Make a plan. Show up.
How to Pray:
1. Declare God’s Greatness.
2. Surrender to God’s Authority.
3. Trust in God’s Provision.
4. Rest in God’s Grace.
5. Invite God’s Leadership.
Matthew 6:6 (NIV) But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Luke 18:1-8
Philippians 4:4-7
