Mile Marker #2: Prayer

Why is prayer difficult?  When you think about what prayer is, it really should blow our minds!  Speaking with the Creator of the Universe...the One who knows everything...the One who sent His Son to come rescue us from our sin against Himself...! People in the Old Testament didn't have this type of access!  And yet, because of Jesus, we, who know Him as Savior, have this unlimited access to God...to communicate with God...to hear from God...to grow closer to God.  And yet, for alot of us, even though we have this unbelievable opportunity, we still treat it as a chore or a last second resort...

Why?

I have heard thoughts like "I don't know how to pray" to "I don't feel like anything is happening, so why bother..."

Jesus, knowing both the importance of prayer and our struggle to understand it, gives us a deeper understanding of how to approach prayer, and why it is so crucial to our maturity as people who want to become more like Jesus.  We find His words in Matthew 6:5-13.

As we mentioned Sunday night, this isn't so much a word for word example of what prayer should be, as it is an example of the purpose of prayer and how it is a heart issue.  It is not so much about the words as it is connecting our lives (throughout the day) to who God is and what He desires of our lives.

So, when it comes to praying, how are you doing?  Is it difficult for you?  Does your faith seem "dry" when you aren't praying vs. when you are?  Why do you think that is?

Use the questions below to dig deeper into this "Mile Marker" topic of prayer this week!

1.  Re-read Matthew 6:5-13.

- Jesus gives two examples of what prayer shouldn't be about...a "holiness" show and a focus on what words to say...do you struggle with either of these?  Why do you think that is?

2. In Jesus' outline of what prayer should be about, why would he start with focusing on who God is before bringing our requests to God?

3. Over the next few days, use the outline below to dedicate each day to a specific aspect of prayer:

- Tuesday- Worship God for who He is (Verse 9)

- Wednesday- Pray that God would help you to live for Him in every area of life.  Ask Him to bring to mind those areas of your life that you haven't given over to Him (Verse 10)

- Thursday- Ask God to provide for the daily needs of you and those who know.  As you pray, think through the difference between daily needs vs. wants (Verse 11)

- Friday- Today, focus on the forgiveness that is your by faith in Jesus, but also ask for forgiveness of those things that keep your faith dry and lifeless (Verse 12 & 1 John 1:9)

- Saturday- Temptation is something we all face, everyday, multiple times a day...we don't need to be overcome...pray that God would protect you, and give you wisdom to know where you are prone to fall, and for the strength to not give into temptation (Verse 13, 1 Cor. 10:13)

Plan to join us Thursday night at Matt & Amanda's at 7pm as we pray together and talk about prayer!