READ:

MATTHEW 6:5-14

5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

9 “This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from the evil one.’

14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

DISCUSSION (make sure you cut this short if needed to leave a full 20 minutes for prayer at the end)

1. What phrases or ideas stands out to you as you read this passage?

2. As you read over how Jesus says to pray, are there any parts of his prayer that you tend to not include in your prayer life? Why do you think this is?

3. Read the following quote:
"“If we can’t say “thy will be done” from the bottom of our hearts, we will never know any peace. We will feel compelled to try to control people and control our environment and make things the way we believe they ought to be.” Tim Keller.
Have you seen this ring true in your life?

4. Is your prayer life tend to be more about seeking God’s will be done, or about hoping he will make your will be done?

5. Share: What habits/ practices/ routines have you found helpful in times in which you have been having regular, soul nourishing prayer?

6. Is there any way we can help each other have a richer prayer life this week?

PRAYER 20 MINUTES

Lead your group through a time praying through the structure of the Lords prayer.* Feel free to follow the script or adapt to your needs.

“We are now going to spend some time reading through the Lords prayer and pausing to reflect and pray at each point. Use this time to examine how naturally you find praying at each point or and whether there are some aspects that are new to you.”

“Our Father…”

“Take a moment and think about the idea of God as your Father, with good intentions toward you. If you want, imagine God in your mind’s eye. Picture his face.

*Pause for 10 seconds"*

“In heaven…” 

• “Take a moment to think about the idea that God is all around you. And with you buy his spirit. As you breathe in and out, reflect on the reality that God is a real being who is listening to you now.”

• *Pause for 10 seconds"*

“Hallowed by your name…”

• “God is Holy and Worthy of Worship. Let’s spend some time thanking God out loud for who he is, feel free now to thank God for any aspect of his character, his holiness, his power, his love, his creativity, his provision, his goodness and his grace. I’ll start, then feel free to jump in. Thankyou God for you kindness towards us who are so undeserving.
  
  *2 minutes*

“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven…”

• We’ll now spend a few minutes praying for God’s will to be done in our city, church and life.

• We’ll go round and each pray for one thing, A simple prayer of, “Your will be done in ______," is a great place to start.

  *2-5 minutes*
  

“Give us each day our daily bread…”

• We’ll now break into groups of 2-3 and having each person share one area of need in their life. After each person has shared, pray for one another, asking God to meet that need.

  *5 minutes*

Bring the group back together.

“Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors…”

• Spend a few minutes in quiet asking God for forgiveness for specific areas in your life, and releasing others to forgiveness.

  *2 minutes*

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

• Spend a few minutes (alone or out loud) praying against temptation (the word can also be translated trouble) in your life.

  • Pray against specific sins….

  • Pray against any kind of evil - spiritual evil (demonic), human evil, natural evil, etc.

  • Pray against anything that could disrupt your community group, the church, or ourselves as individuals from following Jesus.

  *5 Minutes*

“I’ll now close for us by thanking God for hearing our prayers”

*adapted from https://practicingtheway.org/pray/week-one