Group Notes | October 8

START: Prayer Matters
October 8, 2017
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Open:

Meeting someone who is well-known and respected, possibly powerful, can be intimidating—and often we feel foolish, on reflection, for what we said as our mind went blank! Can anyone think of an example you can share?

This week the series “START” continues as we realize the truth that God—who cannot lie—wants a conversation with us on a personal basis. That He would care enough to form us in our mother’s womb, see every detail of our lives (good and bad) from birth to death, and still desire a relationship with us, completely blows our mind. Yet we often treat Him with flippancy, offering “prayers” that are more like a recitation than a conversation. Let’s see what His word says about the importance of prayer.

Focal Passages: 1 John 5:14-15; 1 Peter 5:6,7; Hebrews 4:14-16; James 5:16b; Luke 11:1-4, 17:17.

Discuss:

Prayer Matters:

  1. Read 1 John 5:14-15. What do you mean when you use the word “if,” as in “if I go”? Why, then, do these verses say “if you ask,” and “if you know”?
  2. Assuming our heart is right with God’s heart, what does He promise? Are these verses a blanket promise we will get what we want?

Prayer is talking to God your Father:

  1. God is your Father if you are saved. In that case, how do you view prayer, and your ability to come before the Creator of the entire universe?
  2. Read 1 Peter 5:6-7. Sometimes we assume God is like those we talk to who give some attention to what we say, rather than truly focusing on us. Does it matter that He “hears” you?

Prayer is a conversation:

  1. Read Hebrews 4:14-16. In verse 16, how are we to come to Him? Do your children (if applicable) hesitate to tell you their needs? How does that relate?
  2. There are two sides in a conversation. After pouring out your heart, do you take any time to be quiet and see how He responds? If you don’t, why not?

Prayer is powerful:

  1. Read James 5:16b. Would God have this verse in Scripture if it were not true? How do you demonstrate that you believe it, as you pray?

How Do I Pray?

  1. Read Luke 11:1-4. The disciples asked this question of Jesus. Therefore, we need to internalize the answer.

Know Who God is:

  1. In verse 2a, what does “hallowed” mean? If you could describe God with one word, what would it be? Is this how you see Him as you pray?

Recognize the importance of God’s plan:

  1. In verse 2b, we are not told that it is our will that will be done. Why is it of utmost importance that we bow to God’s will, both in our prayers, and in our lives?

Know that God cares about YOU:

  1. Read verse 3. Jesus Himself says we need to ask for our “daily bread.” God cares so much about us that He wants to satisfy our daily needs. How often was the manna in the wilderness given? Why would He want us to ask daily?

Be in the right spiritual place for prayer:

  1. Read John 9:31. What must our lifestyle be like for God to hear our prayers? Why is it important that our lives be “holy” as He is holy? How does 1 John 1:9 fit in here? If we are His children, how does He view us?

Be in the right attitude for prayer:

  1. Read verse 11:4. What happens when we have unforgiveness for others?

Seek God’s leading in your life:

  1. How do we do this? Read 11:4c. Why should we want what God wants?

Be thankful for everything:

  1. Developing an attitude of gratitude is the key to being in God’s will. Why is that true?

Close

Cultivating a deep and meaningful prayer life is essential if you want a close relationship with your heavenly Father. As we have mentioned in numerous ways often, no relationship, whether with a spouse, your child, a family member, etc., will ever morph into a quality bond unless time is invested by conversation. If one side does all the talking, without giving the other an opportunity for answering and sharing equally, the relationship is nothing more than a power trip. We have learned much about prayer in these passages, but the most obvious is that our hearts must be in a condition where sins are confessed, a lifestyle is God-centered, no bitterness resides against our fellow man—in essence, we are in a right relationship with Him.  We cannot be living in sin and present our requests, expecting Him to overlook the things we are doing that are in direct opposition to His word. Paul wrote in Romans 6:1, “What? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid!” Paul uses the most forceful word in Greek to imply “Absolutely Not” to emphasize our dependence on the relationship must be clean. “Be holy, as He is holy.” Do you want Him to answer your deepest needs? Then begin by lining up your life with His, desiring His will in all things, and being fervent with your prayer life. Above all, learn to be grateful for everything He blesses you with. As you do, you will find contentment, knowing He hears you, is answering in His time frame, and doing what is best. He sees the end, not the tunnel you’re in!  Trust Him.

Memory Verse: 1 John 5:14: Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. (NKJV)

Helpful Websites: www.biblegateway.com; www.blueletterbible.org. Within both of those sites there are resources such as Original Greek or Hebrew, the meanings, Commentaries, and more study materials.