Skip to main content

PRAYER #1

{pray}: TALKING TO THE FATHER [respectfully] 

Matthew 6:5-15_ 

 
What has come to be known as ‘The Lord’s Prayer’ was spoken in the middle of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount – the longest collection of Jesus’ teachings about how to live distinctively in the world. Jesus gave this prayer to his followers in the context of some very practical words on when / where / how to pray... 

[Read Matthew 6:5-15] 

 
In verses 5-8, what kinds of dysfunctional prayer does Jesus warn about? 

 
Jesus commands us to pray in secret. Does that rule out public prayer? 
Why or why not? 

 
When you pray out loud in front of other people, what can you do to focus on God rather than on how your prayer sounds to others? 

 
If God already knows our needs before we pray (verse 8), why pray at all? 

 
As you think about the context that the Lord’s Prayer was first spoken, do you think Jesus wanted us to pray these exact words, or is he giving us a general pattern for prayer? 

What misuses of the prayer could come from either of these? 

 
The word Jesus uses to call on the Father is the common words that children, in Jesus’ day, used to address their father - “Abba”, which means “Papa” / “Daddy” / “Dearest Father”. What emotions do you feel as you think of God in this close / intimate / relational way? 

 
Why does Jesus instruct us, in verse 9, to address God as our Father instead of my Father? 

 
If the word Father suggests the nearness of God, “Our Father in heaven” points to God’s power and majesty. How does the fact that God rules in heaven over all things make you feel about coming to him with your needs and requests? 

 
Do most of your prayers emphasise God’s gentle presence with us or God’s awesome majesty? 
What can you do to bring more balance in your approach to God in prayer? 

 
The next line of the prayer, “Hallowed be Your name”, means you are offering yourself as a channel through which God can show his holy nature to a drifting (and rebellious) culture. What are some of the ways that we, as Christians, can honour God’s name in our daily lives? 

 
The Old Testament prophet Isaiah caught a glimpse of God’s “hallowed” / holy character. The King of Judah had died, and the young prophet found himself feeling insecure and fearful. Then he saw the Lord, holy and exalted, and it changed his life... 

[Read Isaiah 6:1-8] 

 
If you were given this vision, how would each of your senses – sight, sound, smell, taste, touch – be affected? 

 
What aspects of God’s character are emphasised in this vision? 

 
In verse 5, why does Isaiah respond by saying, “I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips”? 

 
God responds to Isaiah’s confession with an act of cleansing. 
How do you think Isaiah feels after the burning coal experience? 

 
God’s cleansing also produces a heart of obedience in Isaiah (verse 8). 
What is God asking you to do? 

What will it cost to say, “Here I am. Send me”? 

What (if anything) will be different in your life, moving forward, because you begin to pray: “May my whole life be an honour to Your name, Father – hallowed be Your name”? 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Disciple: Judas

  {Disciples} JUDAS ISCARIOT_   Turning away     The most notorious of al the disciples – and the one universally scorned – is Judas Iscariot, the betrayer of Jesus. His name appears in every list of the disciples (except in Acts 1), and it always appears last.   The other eleven are an encouragement to us because they show how common people can be used by God, even with all their faults and failures, to do remarkable things.   Judas, on the other hand, stands as a warning about the power of spiritual carelessness and pride, which can drag us away from loyalty to Christ.   Judas lived in close proximity to Jesus for three years.   He heard every teaching; he saw every miracle.   But in all that time his heart only grew harder.   The other disciples were being transformed, by Jesus, into passionate followers; Judas was being changed too...     [Group discussion starter] Have you ever had a friend or colleague that appeared to b...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ephesians 5:21 - 6:9

  [Grace and Peace] EPHESIANS_   [Activity] Spend some time exploring the logical flow of Ephesians 5:21-6:9…   [Read Ephesians 5:21]   Paul addresses different relationship types (marriage, family, co-workers) when he writes to the Ephesians. Before he gets specific in his instructions, he gives a general one. What attitude are we supposed to have towards others?     What should submission look like in daily life?     [Read Ephesians 5:22-33]   In verses 22-24, why does Paul tell wives to submit to their husbands?     How does remembering that a wife is really submitting to the Lord affect submission to a husband?     In verses 25-33, how are husbands, in turn, to treat their wives?     How does comparing a husband’s love for his wife to how the Messiah loves the church remove any danger of the husband abusing the wife’s submission?       What ...
Post a Comment
Read more

PARABLE: the rich man and Lazarus

  {PARABLE} the rich man and Lazarus_   Luke 16:19-31   Have you ever heard someone say that religion is just  a ‘crutch’ or just a source of comfort for the weak?   Have you ever heard someone say that religious people pay no attention to those who are hungry or suffering?   Christianity doesn’t teach passive suffering in the face of injustice and oppression. Jesus calls us to serve those who are in need.     [Discussion starter] Have you ever been asked for money by someone homeless?   How did you react?     The final parable in this study reminds us that suffering in this life can be replaced by bliss in the next ...     [Read Luke 16:19-31]     In verses 19-21, how does the parable reveal the rich man’s lack of concern for Lazarus?       How would you account for the rich man’s indifference towards Lazarus?       What are some of the ways that you have heard people explain why ...
Post a Comment
Read more