Home Group Study Questions // Aug 2nd
What Would Jesus Say Session 21: What Would Jesus Say About Prayer?
[Matthew 7:7–11]
- In what ways have you felt like your prayers are “stuck in 1st gear”? Describe times when prayer has been like a chore. What seems to be different when prayer is a joy?
- Do you ever feel like prayer is risky or that you are afraid to pray? Why or why not?
- How does your perception of God change the way you pray? Have your experiences challenged or confirmed that God answers prayer? In what way?
- What sorts of things do you typically ask the Lord in prayer? What additional kids of requests would you like to include in your prayers going forward? What are your prayers revealing about your view of God?
- What things are you searching and seeking for in prayer? For what discernment and opportunities have you been knocking in prayer? Describe how God has been meeting you in prayer or ways he has been directing you.
- What reasons does Jesus give starting in verse 8 for why we can be confident that God hears and answers our prayers?
- What is Jesus describing in verse 8? Why is this not a blanket promise that people will get exactly what they ask for in prayer, like God could be operated like vending machine? How should 1 John 5:13–15 shape the way we pray?
- How does George Meuller’s quote encourage and/or challenge you?
- “It is not enough to begin to pray, nor to pray aright; nor is it enough to continue for a time to pray—but we must patiently, believingly continue in prayer until we obtain an answer. And further, we have not only to continue in prayer unto the end, but we have also to believe that God does hear us and will answer our prayers. Most frequently we fail in not continuing in prayer until the blessing is obtained, and in not expecting the blessing.“
- What are promises God makes in Scripture that you could start praying more regularly and growing in your trust that God will answer? How might Jesus be glorified through the Father’s answer to your prayer (see John 14:13–14)?
- Will you pray for God to clarify Emmaus’ mission statement and consider joining us in prayer on Tuesdays at 8:30am? We meet in the Sanctuary.