Home Group Study Questions // May 24th
What Would Jesus Say Session 14: What Jesus Said About Prayer? Pray with Humility to Your Father in Heaven
Matthew 6:7–9 (ESV) – “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.”
- What is lacking with prayer that “heaps up empty phrases?” (Matthew 6:7)
- In what ways have you been tempted to use prayer as a performance to prove your spirituality, and how does the Gospel free you from that pressure?
- Does the reality that “your Father knows what you need before you ask him” encourage you to bring your prayers to God? Why or why not? (Matthew 6:8)
- If your goal in prayer shifts from “checking the box” or reaching a specific duration to simply being with your Savior, how does that change your daily prayer life?
- Can you share a time when a prayer didn’t change your circumstances, but God used that time of prayer to radically change your heart or perspective?
- Does the reality that God does not need our prayers and cannot be manipulated give you confidence and motivation in prayer? Why or why not?
- What do you see as significant about the way Jesus begins the prayer in verse 9? How does this set the tone for the rest of the prayer? How might we emulate Jesus in our prayers?
- How can you practically structure your prayers this week to ensure your requests are aligned with God’s character and glory, rather than just your immediate comforts?
- Looking at the whole of Matthew 6:7–9, what is one “character trait” or “heart posture” you need to embody more consistently this week to move toward being a more humble, dependent lover of Jesus?