Bible Reading
Matthew 6:5–13“5 And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.”
[25:41]“6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
[26:12]“7 And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.”
[29:03]“8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”
[29:12]“9 Pray then like this: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.”
[34:39]“10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
[36:40]“11 Give us this day our daily bread,”
[40:59]“12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”
[42:01]“13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”
[42:58]Ephesians 6:18“18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,”
[55:56]Luke 11:1–13“1 Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.’”
[45:57]“2 And he said to them, ‘When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come.’”
[46:45]“3 Give us each day our daily bread,”
[46:48]“4 and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.’”
[46:48]“5 And he said to them, ‘Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, “Friend, lend me three loaves,””
[47:41]“6 for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’;”
[47:41]“7 and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’?”
[47:41]“8 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs.”
[48:15]“9 And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”
[48:15]“10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.”
[48:27]“11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent;”
[48:27]“12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?”
[48:27]“13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
[48:27]Matthew 6:6–8“6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
[26:12]“7 And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.”
[29:03]“8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”
[29:12]Observation questions
- In Matthew 6:5–8, what contrasts does Jesus make between the hypocrites’ public prayers and prayer offered to the Father in secret? [27:40]
- What requests appear in both versions of the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6 and Luke 11, and what daily needs do those requests cover? [47:14]
- In Luke 11:5–13, what examples does Jesus use to show the difference between a reluctant friend and a loving father? [49:30]
- According to Ephesians 6:18, what words describe when believers should pray, how they should pray, and for whom they should pray? [56:47]
Interpretation questions
- Jesus says that the Father already knows what His children need before they ask. Why does Jesus still call believers to ask, seek, and knock?
- Jesus teaches His disciples to begin with, “Our Father in heaven.” How does remembering both God’s fatherly care and His holiness change the way a believer approaches Him in a painful or confusing moment? [36:01]
- What does it look like to pray, “Your kingdom come, your will be done,” when the answer a person wants may not be the answer God gives? [40:43]
- Paul places prayer immediately after describing the armor of God. In what ways might prayer help a believer recognize lies, resist temptation, and remain alert in spiritual conflict? [01:05:19]
Application questions
- Is private prayer currently a place where you can be fully honest with God—bringing sorrow, anger, confusion, joy, and gratitude—or has prayer started to feel more like religious words? What would honesty with God sound like for you this week? [30:21]
- What is one burden you have been carrying alone that you need to bring plainly to your Father in prayer, even if you do not have polished words? [32:51]
- Where are you especially tempted to demand your own outcome from God? How could you honestly name your desire while also praying, “Your kingdom come, your will be done”? [38:40]
- Which part of the Lord’s Prayer is most needed in your life right now: daily provision, forgiveness, grace to forgive someone else, or deliverance from temptation? What specific request can you make each day this week? [43:03]
- Is there a prayer you have prayed for a long time that now feels unanswered? How does the example of Monica’s decades of prayer encourage perseverance without pretending the waiting is easy? [51:17]
- What part of your normal day would be a good place to begin practicing continuous prayer—commuting, working, parenting, making a decision, or responding to stress? What might it look like to keep that conversation with God open? [59:21]
- Who is one person in your family, church, workplace, or neighborhood who needs intercession right now? How can the group pray specifically and consistently for that person this week? [01:03:37]
