Small Group Leaders Facilitation Worksheet:
Produced by Rhema Bible Church North:
3. WHAT’S SO IMPORTANT ABOUT PRAYER?
[Thirdof a four part series]
ICEBREAKER: What are some of the points that you have learned or applied from our last time together on this subject?
[Allow one minute feedback from each person]
RECAPE:We have learned that Prayer is our right and privilege to share, communicate, fellowship and talk with our Heavenly Father and supplication is the specific request, need, desire, that we have
found is ours revealed in and through God’s word. And we also found out that intercession is the privilege of being able to stand in the gap for someone and we don’t even have to know all the details because the holy Spirit enables us to pray in the spirit the perfect will of God even though our understandingis unfruitful.
INTRODUCTION:
Today we are going to take a look at some biblical principles that commended to adopt that will enable usto enjoy an effective prayer life.
Let us take a look at 5 ASPECTS that will help us to grow in prayer;
QUESTION:The first question I must ask is how many of us have ever been or maybe still are confused as to WHOMwe should be addressing when we pray?
[Allow for feedback]
CLARIFY:The first important aspect for us is toallow the Word to shine some light on this and give us clarity as to WHO we arecommended to address when we pray.
READ:John: 16v23 -24
Verse 23"And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.
Verse 24Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
QUESTION:So what are we seeing in this verse?
[Allow for feedback]
CLARIFY: Jesus reveals to us the pattern for prayer.
- Our FIRST step in establishing our prayer life is to;
- Pray TO THE FATHERin the name of Jesus:
CLARIFY:So we are to pray TO the Father but notice HOW we are to do this;
- We are to pray “In the name of Jesus”…simply because;
- He is our channel
- He is our passage to the Father by the Holy Spirit to receive all that has been done for us In Him through the plan of Salvation
CLARIFY:In other words we are pray TO the Father who is our God, THROUGH the finished works of Jesus BY the leading of the Holy Spirit.
- Pray THROUGH Jesus as our mediator
- Pray BY the Holy Spirit
In this way we are always reminded that it is NOT through OUR works it is and will always be through the grace of God that has been given to us BY the Holy Spirit THROUGH the works of our precious Lord and Saviourwhich enable us to walk in His provision for His glory.
READ:Ephesians: 2v8-9
Verse 8For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
Verse 9not of works, lest anyone should boast.
- Believe that you receive when you pray:
CLARIFY:Here is our second pointer for successful prayer – believe what you are praying for!
READ:Mark: 1v24
Verse 23For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will HAVE whatever he SAYS.
Verse 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you WILL have them.
- Forgive if you have aught against any:
READ:Mark: 11v25-26
Verse 25"And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him that your Father in heaven MAY ALSO forgive you YOUR trespasses.
Verse 26 BUT if you do notforgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive YOUR trespasses."
CLARIFY:the third most important thing in prayer is to make sure that your heart is not bogged down with unforgiveness, bitterness, resentment or anger. We must forgive because our prayers will not work
unless we have forgiving hearts.
QUESTION:What areyour impressions so far concerning these points and the scriptures that we have looked at?
[Allow for feedback]
- Depend on the Holy Spirit in Prayer:
READ:Romans: 8v26
Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
CLARIFY:Remember, the Holy Spirit HELPS us in our prayer life. Praying in tongues and groanings in and by the Sprit is not something the Holy Spirit does apart from us. These groanings and words escape our lips as we speak them out in cooperation with the Holy Spirit. So depend upon Him to help in your prayer life. When you DON”T know for what to pray as you aught, that is when you particularly need His help. If you don’t know what to pray, then as you pray as an individual for your own needs to be met, believe that you receive your needs met and you will have them [Mark: 11v23]
- Take time to edify yourself in prayer:
READ:Jude: 20
But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,
CLARIFY:The fifth important aspect for effective prayer is to ensure that you take time to build yourself up by much in the Holy Spirit and in tongues. Praying in tongues has multiple benefits’ for the believer.
- First, it is ameans of spiritual edification that affects us individually and personally.
- Secondly, it allows us to pray apart fromour understanding for things about which we have no knowledge.
- Third, the Holy Spirit gives us utterance intongues to help us make intercession and supplication for others.
- Fourth, it is a means whereby we canworship the Lord our God and magnify Him.
- Keep the right attitude from the time of asking until the manifestation arrives:
CLARIFY:We don’t have to keep on day after day asking God for the same thing, we ask then everyday praise Him for what is on its way.
READ:Philippians: 4v6
Verse 6Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests bemade known to God;
Verse 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds
through Christ Jesus.
Verse 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and ifthere is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
QUESTION:What do we understand of this portion of scripture?
[Allow for feedback]
READ:Psalm: 66v16-20Dr. James Moffatt Translation
Verse 16Come, all you worshipers of God, hear what He has done for me:
Verse 17no sooner had I called to him than I was praising Him for answering me.
Verse 18Had I been thinking secretly of sin, the Lord would never have listened; but God has listened
indeed, and to my prayer He has paid heed.
Verse 20Blessed be God who has not checked my prayer to Him, nor his love to me.
QUESTION:In this portion of scripture how many of our principles can you see here in the prayer life of David?
CLARIFY:Obviously he did not use the name of our Saviour as David lived under the Old Covenant but
notice;
- He addressed the Father – David knew his relationship with the Godhead!
- There is no hesitation or doubt about the Father answering his prayer
- David’s heart is pure before the Lord, NO sin – NO unforgiveness, anger, bitterness, resentment.
- His attitude was one of thanksgiving, praise adoration and worship!
CONCLUSION:to conclude,
We have found that we need to know who we are approaching to ask for what is our in Christ
We must remember that it is never opened to us because of what we have done or how wellwe have worked, it is always through the work of our Saviour
And lastly we must build ourrelationship with the Holy Spirit who enables us to pray in the spirit the perfect will of God.
PRACTICAL:Let us become a little more sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit AND the potential that lies within us and our prayer life.Taking time to pray in the spirit, learning to become more sensitive to theHoly Spirit in our prayer and praise life.
FEEDBACK:Allow for any questions, clarity or feedback – CLOSE
Produced by Rhema Bible Church North:
VM 2/2012Page 1 of 4