perseverance
Perseverance
Put into Practice:
This week the practice is to spend an extended amount of time praying. (Matthew 26:36-46)
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Goal: The purpose is to develop a habit of praying relentlessly for something that needs to change.
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Practical: Stretch yourself. If you typically pray for 5 minutes, pray for 10 minutes. If you're used to an hour in prayer, try 2 hours. Focus on one specific item as you pray.
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Tips: Feel free to repeat yourself as you pray. Jesus did the same in the Garden of Gethsemane. Choose something that you deeply desire to pray about.
With a friend:
What from the lesson stuck out to you?
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How did it feel to spend an extended time praying about one thing?
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What prayers have you given up on? What needs to change to develop perseverance in your prayer life?
Read James 4
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Do you trust that God wants to answer your prayers?
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Where do you need to change to realign your desires?
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Are you willing to listen to God's plan?
Spend 30 minutes praying together
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Choose a mutual goal.
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Split the time, and spend the entire time praying for your mutual goal.
Family Group:
What obstacles can shut down your motivation to keep praying for something?
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When we lose our motivation, it's hard to persevere.
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Perseverance requires an intense, continual desire for something.
Read James 4:1-4
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If you don't persistently go to God, he can't bless you.
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What is God waiting for you to ask of him?
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You shouldn't settle with asking once. Ask again, and again, and again.
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What can you do this week to add more perseverance to your prayers?
Close out in prayer