Jesus gives us two very different pieces to form one complete picture of prayer, and he calls us to embrace each of these halves fully. How can we implement both halves of this prayer so that our prayer life grows and becomes powerful?
LIfegroup discussion questions after the jump!
If you are the life group discussion leader this week, make sure everyone in your group opens this page on their mobile device. Have everyone take turns reading/asking questions. Remind everyone that these questions are based on this past week’s message, so they can always be prepared by listening on Sunday, or to the podcast, linked above.
Last week, the challenge was to pray the “first half” every day. On Sunday, I challenged you to pray through the ACTS outline of prayer each day. How is that going for you? Are you doing that? Why or why not?
Jesus told a story about persistence in prayer…
Luke 11:5-10 NLT
“Suppose you went to a friend’s house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You say to him, 6 ‘A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.’ 7 And suppose he calls out from his bedroom, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are all in bed. I can’t help you.’ 8 But I tell you this—though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence.*9 “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
What is your initial reaction to Jesus’ story?
How does your view of prayer differ or align with Jesus’ idea of being shamelessly persistent in your prayers?
How does the story of verses 5-8 and the commands of verses 9-10 challenge your thinking about prayer?
How will knowing the truth that Jesus wants you to be shamelessly persistent in your prayers change the way that you will pray this week?
Never stop praying
-1 Thessalonians 5:17
This week, why don’t we spend some time together as a group praying through the ACTS of prayer?
Adoration
Give honor to the King of the Kingdom
I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done.
-Psalm 9:1 NLT
Lord, I praise you for: ____
Lord, you are ____
Confession
if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.
1 John 1:9 NLT
Lord, please cleanse my heart of ______
Lord, please forgive our nation for _______
Thanksgiving
Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name.
-Psalm 100:4 NLT
Father, thank you for _____
Supplication
But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!
-Matthew 5:44 NLT
Lord, please draw ____ closer to you
Give me the sensitivity and the opportunity for me to share my faith with _____
Lord please provide employment for _____