INTRODUCTION
We all know that we should pray, but what exactly should we be praying for? What is it that God wants us to pray for? The disciples pulled Jesus aside and asked him this very question. And his answer may surprise you. In fact, when you compare your prayers to what Jesus had to say, you may find that you've come to emphasize the wrong things. It could be that your prayers are too small.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- What do you usually find yourself praying for?
- Read Luke 11:1-4. What do we learn about the basics of prayer from the model that Jesus gave us?
- Read Luke 11:5-8. What do we learn from the boldness and persistence of the person in this parable? What does this tell us about how God wants us to approach him?
- Read Luke 18:1-8. Is there anything that you have prayed about as consistently and persistently as the widow? What have you seen God do with that request?
- Read Luke 11:9-10. What is it that you want God to do this year? What will you ask, seek, and knock for on a consistent basis?
- How should we adjust our group prayer time to take into account what Jesus taught about prayer?
THINK ABOUT IT
When you pray, what do you find yourself praying for? Please help me not to be late. Please, just help me pass this next test. Lord, I really need to close this deal. Ultimately, what does it all add up to? Is there anything in your prayers for which you really need God to come through? Is there anything that you are praying for on a consistent basis that will not happen unless God steps in? How should your prayer time change based on what we've discussed?
WHAT WILL YOU DO?
When will you set aside time this week to begin praying for something big?
CHANGING YOUR MIND
So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. Luke 11:9