The Why

part 1

"The Why" (Part 1)

Put into Practice:

This week the practice is to Pray through the Lords Prayer everyday (Matt 6:9-13, Luke 11:1-4)

The goal this week to set up a time and place everyday to pray. Our goal is to establish a daily rhythm of prayer.
This could take 2 min or 2 hours. Go as short or long as you want but focus on what you are saying and strive to connect with God our Father.
The Lord's prayer isn't a ritual to recite, but a template to follow. Each phrase puts an image or idea in our hearts to pray through.

With a friend:

What from the lesson stuck out to you?

How do you feel about your prayer life? What areas do you want to grow in prayer? Why do you want to grow?
How has the daily practice of praying through the Lord’s Prayer gone?

Read Luke 11:1-13

Starts with “Our Father in Heaven, Hallowed be your name”

How much of your prayer life is devoted to praising and connecting with God or is it only asking God for things? Why do you think you prayer like that?

The way you pray is an insight in to the way you view God.

What do your prayers show about how you view God? What do your prayers show about your belief that the God of the universe is listening?

Pray through each verse together

“Our Father”

Address God as Father, thank Him for wanting to take care of you and loving you. Talk through with God what is helpful and hard about viewing Him as Father.

“in Heaven”

Pray a prayer of gratitude that God is in the air all around us. Thank Him for never forgetting you and always being there with you.

“hallowed be your name”

Joyfully praise God for His power and Glory. Remember and thank Him for your favorite things about Him

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

Pray for God’s will to be done in your school/church/life. Pray for specific situations for you and others to surrender to God’s will.

“Give us each day our daily bread.”

“Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.”

Pray for forgiveness in specific areas of your life and release others to forgiveness.

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

Pray for God to give you and others in the ministry strength in specific areas and for specific temptations.

Close out by thanking God for hearing you.

Family Group:

Whats your favorite thing to talk about?

How often do you talk to God about that? Why or why not?
Not many people genuinely feel great about their prayer life. This is usually because we treat God like an ATM and we only go to Him to deposit "thank yous" and withdraw "pleases".
- How is this true in your life? Why do we limit our prayers like this?
- Prayer is first about building a relationship with God, not a transaction for what you want.

Read Luke 11:1-4

Jesus starts out His prayer by addressing God as Father. It was Jesus' favorite image of God.
Many times we limit our prayers because we have a flawed view of God.
- How does your prayer life show you have a flawed view of God?

Read Luke 11:9-13

Jesus doesn't say perhaps God hears us, or perhaps God wants the best for us. He promises God hears us, and promises God wants the best for us.
What would change if you prayed like you truly believed that?
- Put what you said into practice this week. Christianity isn't just a matter knowing the right thing, but knowing the right person. It doesn't matter if you know how you need to change if you don't do anything about to get closer to God.
- Pray through the Lord's Prayer everyday. You could do this in 2 min or over 2 hours.

Close out in prayer