“When It's Hard to Pray" Sermon Questions
1. Read Mt 26:36-44. Identify at least 5 different things about praying from that passage. Which one of the 5 things strikes you most and why?

2. Paul Miller states, "American culture is probably the hardest place in the world to learn to pray. We are so busy that when we slow down to pray, we find it uncomfortable." What parts of this quote do you agree and disagree with and why?

3. Verse 14 is a command. Why do you think so many American Christians struggle to follow this particular command? What would help us to reverse that?

4. James makes a connection between physical suffering and sin (v 15). Some people are prone to over-spiritualize physical illness (see John 9:1-3). Some people despiritualize physical suffering. Why do we tend to find over-spiritualization or despiritualization more appealing than James' teaching to respiritualize physical suffering? Do you struggle more with over-spiritualization or despiritualization? Why?

5. Describe (briefly!) a time when the Lord powerfully answered one of your or your group's prayers for someone else who was suffering.

6. Why do you think the command of verse 16 is so rarely kept in smaller community groups and even smaller friendship circles in the church? What would need to happen for God's people to begin living out verse 16 more faithfully?

7. How did this passage or sermon stir up the gospel in your heart?