07 | Why can I pray?
07 | Why can I pray?
This study guide is meant to be used as a simple tool to help your small group dive deeper into God’s word, nurture conversation, and draw your group nearer to Christ. As a leader, begin your group in prayer by asking the Holy Spirit to lead your discussion.
reflect
When you think about prayer, what comes to mind?
Many people say they pray regularly and even experience answers to prayer.
What is Prayer? Have you had an answer to prayer? Why Should We Pray?
• Our relationship with God grows through prayer. • Prayer gives us spiritual strength and power.
• God can guide our lives when we pray.
• We experience peace when we pray.
• God wants to hear from us and have a conversation with us.
Prayer is opening up your heart to God as to a friend.”
Steps to Christ
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one”
Matthew 6:9-13
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1 THE WAY GOD ANSWERS PRAYER
There are at least three key ways that God answer prayers:
1. “Yes! I can answer your prayer!”
2. “No. You are asking for something I know will not be good for you.”
3. “Wait… You need to be patient and trust Me, that I know the right time to answer your prayer.”
Sin can be a barrier to having good communication with God. We need to be honest with God and allow Him to cleanse us from sin.
2 HOW CAN I PRAY?
You can talk openly with God anytime, anywhere.
• Jesus gave us a good model for prayer called “The Lord’s Prayer,” which is found in Matthew 6:9-13.
• You will note that even though the answer to your prayer may not be as you would like, God has your best interest in mind and answers your prayer accordingly.
• The ACTS acronym is another model you can use to structure your prayers:
The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer.
Psalm 6.9
I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.
Psalm 17.6
ACTS
A Appreciate God’s character,
C Confess anything that you have said or done which is sinful and destructive,
T Thank God for what He has done in your life,
S Share with Him any needs that you or the people around you have.
real talk
Q1.
Have you ever tried praying before?
How did it go?
Q2.
Why do you think God listens?
Q3.
Try telling God how you feel about praying.
Ask him for help.
real talk
real talk
Q1.
Have you ever tried praying before?
How did it go?
Q2.
Why do you think God listens?
Q3.
Try telling God how you feel about praying.
Ask Him for help
reimagine
reimagine
Write a personal prayer to god using the acts model as a guide.
FURTHER STUDY
BIBLE TEXTS
1 Thessalonians 5:17, 1 Samuel 1, 1 Kings 8, 18, Psalm 8, 139, Amos 5:14-15, Joel 2:13-14, Matthew 6:25-33, 7:7-8, 26:36-46, Mark 11:24, John 14:13, 2 Corinthians 12:7-8
BOOKS TO READ
• Steps to Christ, Chapter 11: The
Privilege of Prayer – Ellen White
• Prayer: Experiencing Awe and
Intimacy with God – Timothy
Keller
• Moving Mountains: Praying with Passion, Confidence and Authority – John Eldredge
• The Bible (The New Living Translation is a dynamic version of the Bible)
NEXT STEP
Would you like to start making prayer a part of your daily life?