Introduction

The expert on prayer - “Lord teach us.” Luke 11:1

Prayer is not preparation for the battle it is the battle.

Hypocrite – hypocrites – an actor

It is possible to pray with no thought of God.

God rewards the sincerity of the heart.

Meaningless repetition – battalogeo – aimless talk

We cannot manipulate God.

Unlearn:
Prayer is not about being eloquent.
Prayer is not about being seen.
Prayer is not a spiritual badge.
Prayer is not about convincing God.
Prayer is not about sharing information.
Prayer is not about self-manifestation.

The purpose of prayer is to draw closer your father.

The byproduct of prayer is transformation.

Learn:
Pray Secretly.
Pray with open hands.

“Since Satan can’t remove a believer’s salvation, he will try everything he can to keep a believer from experiencing all the good there is to experience in the spiritual realm.” Dr. Tony Evans

V6. “But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.”

Where will I meet with God?

When will I go there?

What distractions do I need to eliminate?

What do you want to share with your father?

Discussion
Prayer Requests:


Group Discussion: What expert have you learned from in your life? (this does not have to be spiritual)

Read aloud: Matthew 6:5-8

1. The disciples in Luke 11 ask Jesus to teach them how to pray. They already prayed at a minimum of 5 times a day. What did they see in Jesus that caused them to question their prayer life? Have you ever caught yourself praying and not thinking twice about what you are saying and who you are saying it to?

Unlearning
Prayer is not about being eloquent.
Prayer is not about being seen.
Prayer is not a spiritual badge.
Prayer is not about convincing God.
Prayer is not about sharing information.
Prayer is not about self-manifestation.

2. Do any of the things on the list above jump out to you? Which one? How does that change your view of prayer? How do we keep from becoming hypocrites in prayer?

Learning
Pray Sincerely.
Pray with open Hands.

3. Jesus tells us to “go into your inner room (secret place), close your door (distractions), and pray to Your Father.” If you don’t have one already think about a secret place you can meet God at on a regular basis. When praying distractions do you have to shut out? Do you see God as a willing Father? How do you talk to your best friend? How does that differ from how you talk to God? What is one distraction you can cut out this week?

4. Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him” Prayer does not change God it changes us. What keeps us from praying with open hands? How can we better relinquish control to God?