Introduction and Ice Breaker
What skills have you attempted to learn or sharpen during COVID? (new meals, hobbies, writing, etc.)
Share the funniest thing you have experienced during this season of quarantine.
Themes to Consider
Developing prayer language by praying through Scripture
Purpose of prayer:
Prayer gives vent to our soul (whether in need, confession, or lament), aligns us to the will of the Father, reorients the position of power through praise, supplication
Discussion Questions
What do you feel when you think of the Bible?
Did the purpose of Scripture as Patrick described it surprise you?
Does the purpose of Scripture as the path that leads to the person of Jesus (rather than a prescription to live or textbook) change the way you feel about reading Scripture?
When we are immersed in Scripture our will becomes aligned with His. Praying then becomes asking for that which aligns with His Kingdom and we can ask with confidence. Can you see the importance of asking and praying according to Scripture?
How does this change our faith in prayer?
Guided Prayer
Silence / Remove distractions as much as you can and spend two minutes (time it, if helpful) in silence, noticing your body, your emotions and thoughts. Perhaps use a simple phrase to pray silently so that you stay focused.
Use the following Scriptures to pray:
Adoration / Meditate for two minutes on one of the following scriptures:
Jeremiah 29:11 - I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you
Habakkuk 2:4 - Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faithfulness
Confession / Psalm 51:1–2 - Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!
Thanksgiving / Psalm 100 - Give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and His faithfulness continues to each generation.
Supplication / Acts 4:29–30 - Grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
Silence / End with two minutes of silence meditating on this text:
Psalm 46:10 - “Be still and know that I am God”
quotes
2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness
John 5:39-40
You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.
Matthew 6:5-9
And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”
Philippians 2:6-7: Kenosis
who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
John 15:5-8: Intimacy indwelling
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whateveryou wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
