What is prayer?

Communication between humans and God.

1. Acknowledging who is in control.

2. Acknowledging I don't know what to say.

3. Acknowledging that I am not alone and I am not the first.

4. Acknowledging that I need to listen more than talk.

START TALKING

When was someone's "posture" toward a conversation with you what kept the words they said from being effective? Why did their approach keep you from hearing (or believing) the words that they were saying?

When was your "posture" toward a conversation what kept the words you said from being effective? What were the assumptions you had that ended up being incorrect? What changed (or would have changed) if your posture had been different?

START THINKING

Why do you think the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray? Do you think he hadn't been teaching them? Had they not been paying attention? Was it not sinking in? Look through the first 10 chapters of Luke and see what might help you answer this.

START SHARING

Do you feel like you know how to pray? Why or why not?

What has been your posture toward prayer in the past?

When you pray, do you do more talking or listening? Why is the listening part so hard? What can we do to become better listeners when we pray? How do you know when God is speaking or answering?

Read the following verses about prayer. After reading each one, discuss and consider what it teaches about the posture of prayer and how the posture we have toward prayer will impact the instruction each verse gives.

Psalm 145:18
Romans 8:26
Jeremiah 29:12-13
Philippians 4:6-7
Hebrews 4:16

START DOING

What did this message and conversation stir in you regarding prayer? What do you sense the Spirit telling you needs to be different regarding your posture toward prayer? What will you do differently this week?

What can you do this week to better hear from and listen to the Spirit when you pray?

How does this understanding about the posture needed for prayer help you prepare to have spiritual conversations with people who are far from God and may struggle with the idea of talking to Him? If someone asked you how to pray, how could you answer them by telling them your own story and experience with prayer?

START PRAYING

If Jesus walked up to you right now and you could ask him anything, what would it be? Each person in the microchurch answer that question as honestly as you can.

Then take a moment to pray together for each person and for what they shared! Because Jesus is HERE! Pray for each person in the microchurch to become people of prayer. Ask God to teach each of us how to pray and how to hear from Him each and every day.