That Thing You Do: Pray (to God)

. What phrase best describes the way you pray now?

I pray just about every day

I’m not in the habit of praying but I do it sometimes

I’m new at this and I’ve never really prayed before 

2. Do you remember the first time you prayed? What can you tell us about it?

3. Let’s revisit The Lord’s Prayer (aka The Disciples’ Prayer):

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Matthew 6:9-13 (ESV)

4. The Lord’s Prayer can be a model or blueprint for how we pray, and there are Six Parts of Prayer in there:

Praise: I begin by expressing my love for God.

Purpose: I commit myself to doing God’s will.

Provision: I ask God to meet my daily needs.

Pardon: I ask God to forgive my sins.

People: I pray for other people.

Protection: I ask for protection and direction.

What do you think about these ideas?

5. How could you use this model of prayer to help you pray?

6. Russ told a story about a Fun Run when he wore corduroy pants. How could you use the idea of “Pants or no pants, just show up” to encourage yourself to pray even if you don’t know what to say?

7. The challenge from this message is to Make Prayer That Thing You Do this week. Are you taking on that challenge? How’s it going?