3-How_I_Pray_-_notes.docx

**Bible Study Discussion Guide**

**Bible Reading:**
- Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message)
- Matthew 6:5-9 (NLT)
- John 11:41-42 (NLT)

---

**Observation Questions:**

1. In Matthew 11:28-30, what does Jesus promise to those who are weary and burdened?
2. According to Matthew 6:5-9, how does Jesus instruct us to approach prayer, and what does He warn against?
3. In John 11:41-42, what is the purpose of Jesus' prayer before raising Lazarus, and how does it serve those around Him?

---

**Interpretation Questions:**

1. What does Jesus mean by "unforced rhythms of grace" in Matthew 11:28-30, and how might this concept challenge traditional views of religious practice?
2. How does Jesus' instruction in Matthew 6:5-9 redefine the purpose and nature of prayer for His followers?
3. In John 11:41-42, why does Jesus emphasize gratitude in His prayer, and how does this reflect His relationship with the Father?

---

**Application Questions:**

1. Reflect on your current prayer life. How can you make it more relational and intimate, as Jesus models in Matthew 6:5-9?
2. Consider the blessings in your life. How can you cultivate a heart of gratitude in your daily prayers, even amidst challenges?
3. Think of someone in your life who needs encouragement. How can you use prayer to uplift and strengthen their faith this week?
4. Identify an area in your life where you need to practice humility and surrender. How can you entrust this to God in prayer, following Jesus' example in Matthew 26:39?
5. Who in your life could benefit from your intercessory prayers? How can you commit to praying for them regularly, even if they oppose you?
6. Reflect on a situation where you need to extend forgiveness. How can you pray with tenderness and trust, as Jesus did on the cross?
7. Set a reminder or note to prompt you to pause and pray throughout your day. How can these moments help you connect with God and align your life with His will?

Day 1: Cultivating a Personal Connection with God
Prayer is not merely a ritual or a public display of faith; it is an intimate conversation with God. Jesus exemplified this by addressing God as "Our Father," inviting us to approach Him with a sense of closeness and familiarity. This relational approach to prayer challenges us to move beyond formalities and engage in heartfelt communication with our Creator. By fostering a personal relationship with God, we open ourselves to His presence and guidance in our lives. This intimacy with God transforms our prayer life from a duty into a cherished dialogue, where we can express our deepest thoughts and feelings.

In this personal connection, we find the freedom to be vulnerable and honest, knowing that God listens with love and understanding. As we cultivate this relationship, we learn to trust in His wisdom and timing, allowing His will to shape our lives. This journey of intimacy with God invites us to experience His peace and rest, even amidst life's challenges.

Matthew 6:6 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: How can you create a quiet space in your daily routine to foster a more intimate and personal connection with God through prayer?


Day 2: Embracing Gratitude in Every Prayer
Jesus consistently demonstrated gratitude in His prayers, acknowledging God's work and presence in His life. This attitude of thankfulness reminds us to recognize and appreciate the countless blessings we receive daily, even amidst challenges. By cultivating a heart of gratitude, we align ourselves with God's grace and open our eyes to His ongoing provision and care. Gratitude in prayer shifts our focus from what we lack to the abundance of God's blessings, fostering a spirit of contentment and joy.

When we embrace gratitude, we become more aware of God's hand in our lives, leading us to trust in His goodness and faithfulness. This perspective transforms our prayers, as we learn to thank God not only for the blessings we see but also for the unseen ways He is working in our lives. Gratitude becomes a powerful expression of faith, drawing us closer to God and deepening our relationship with Him.

Colossians 4:2 (ESV): "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving."

Reflection: What are three specific things you can thank God for today, even if they seem small or insignificant?


Day 3: Encouraging Others Through Prayer
Jesus used prayer as a means to encourage and strengthen the faith of those around Him. His prayer before raising Lazarus is a powerful example of how prayer can uplift and inspire others. This challenges us to not only pray for others but to pray with them, offering words of faith and hope. By doing so, we become conduits of God's love and encouragement in the lives of those we encounter. Praying with others creates a sense of community and shared faith, where we can support and uplift one another.

As we pray for others, we are reminded of the power of prayer to bring comfort and hope. Our prayers can be a source of strength for those who are struggling, helping them to see God's presence and love in their lives. By encouraging others through prayer, we participate in God's work of healing and restoration, bringing His light into the darkness.

James 5:16 (ESV): "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."

Reflection: Who in your life could use encouragement today? How can you pray with them or for them to offer hope and support?


Day 4: Practicing Humility and Surrender in Prayer
In moments of deep anguish, Jesus modeled humility and surrender, entrusting His will to the Father. This teaches us that true prayer involves a willingness to submit our desires and plans to God's greater purpose. By surrendering our will, we demonstrate trust in God's wisdom and timing, allowing Him to work in and through us in ways we may not fully understand. Humility in prayer acknowledges our dependence on God and our need for His guidance and strength.

Surrendering to God requires letting go of our need for control and trusting that His plans are for our good. This act of faith opens us to the transformative power of God's love, as we learn to rest in His promises and rely on His strength. Through humility and surrender, we find peace and assurance, knowing that God is with us in every circumstance.

Luke 22:42 (ESV): "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to God? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?


Day 5: Interceding with Compassion and Tenderness
Jesus' prayers often included intercession for others, reflecting His deep compassion and concern for their well-being. His prayer for forgiveness for those who crucified Him exemplifies the tenderness and trust He placed in the Father. We are called to intercede for others, even those who oppose us, trusting God to work in their lives and extend His grace and mercy. Intercessory prayer is an act of love, where we bring the needs of others before God, seeking His intervention and blessing.

Through intercession, we participate in God's redemptive work, standing in the gap for those who may not be able to pray for themselves. This selfless act of prayer reflects the heart of Jesus, who continually intercedes for us. As we pray for others, we grow in compassion and empathy, learning to see them through God's eyes and love them as He does.

1 Timothy 2:1 (ESV): "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people."

Reflection: Who is someone you find difficult to love or forgive? How can you begin to intercede for them, asking God to work in their life and extend His grace?

1. "This series is not about how we can do more, but about how we can 'BE' with Jesus. To be with Jesus, to watch what He did, to learn from Him, and to do what He did."


2. "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest."


3. "Jesus shows me how to pray relationally and intimately. He invites us to engage in a relationship with God, to come relationally to 'our Father,' which was countercultural even back then."


4. "Jesus always entered in with thankfulness for the Father. He invites us to recognize the work of God on our behalf and to come just as we are."


5. "Jesus shows me how to pray with humility and surrender. He invites us to live in communion and connection to the Father, trusting and knowing that He’s got us no matter what we’re facing."


6. "Jesus shows me how to pray and intercede for others. He models for us how to stand in the gap for those around us, to plead on another’s behalf."


7. "Jesus shows me how to pray with tenderness and trust. He prayed with tenderness for those who were lost and struggling, and He trusted His Father to be at work in them."


8. "Jesus wasn’t teaching us prayers to say; He was showing us what it looks like to live in prayer. To live in communion and connection to the Father."


9. "Jesus shows me how to pray to encourage others. We often have opportunities to pray to God and encourage someone else’s faith, letting them hear us make our request to God."


10. "Set alarms on your phone. Take little moments and pauses, and turn them into prayer. Let it be as simple and regular and natural as your breathing."