Large group #10 - Prayer

This week we will be discussing the role of prayer in our lives.  How did Jesus teach us to pray? When should we pray? Who are role models in the bible for prayer? What experience do we have with prayer? Why do we pray? Where do we pray?  This is a big topic and we will only have time to scratch the surface

I challenge you all this week to be purposeful about praying and to pray more than usual.  I also challenge you all to come together to pray in a pair or a group at least once this week. Turtle Prayer (at the turtle pond by Millikan Pond at 4PM every day) is a good place to go for this!

I look forward to seeing you there!

Love in Christ,
Peter

P.S. Here is the guided discussion for this week, please feel free to reply-all and start a conversation about it!

1.      Matthew 6:5-14. How did Jesus teach us to pray? What is the point of prayer? Why does Jesus instruct us to not babble on like the pagans (does that mean we should always be ultra-succinct with our prayers)? What problem does Jesus have with the ways the Pharisees pray?  Is it simply because they pray in public?

2.      Psalm 37:4 This is a verse that is often quoted out of context (e.g. in the ‘Prosperity Gospel’). God will give us the desires of our hearts (…when our hearts align with His). Put Psalm 37:4 in context by reading Psalm 37:1-9…37:39-40. What does it mean to trust in the Lord or take delight in the Lord? How does that relate to receiving the desires of our hearts? How does all this compare with Luke 11:1-13? How do we align our hearts with His (see Romans 12:2, James 1:5-6, James 1:22)?

3.      Are there different attitudes of prayer (solemn, joyful, etc.)? Ephesians 6:18 and Philippians 4:6-7 tell us to pray in all matters. Do we necessarily always need to pray in the same way?

4.      How often do we pray? Read about Daniel’s prayer life (Daniel 6:10). Do we need to pray toward Jerusalem like Daniel did?

5.      What is praying like for you? What times of the day do you pray? Can praying be a continuous, all-day attitude?  Share your experience.

6.      Psalms are prayer. Do you have a favorite psalm? Have you used the psalms in your prayer life?

7.      The Armor of God: Ephesians 6:10-17. Many prayers are petitions or thanksgiving but the Armor of God is a bit different. Discuss.

8.      Laying on of hands: what is that all about? See, for example, Luke 4:40, 1 Timothy 5:22, 2 Timothy 1:6, Genesis 48:12-18, Acts 6:6.

9.      Praying in tongues: what is that all about? See, for example, 1 Corinthians 12:10, 1 Corinthians 14:26-28.