Facing Tough Times

Amalek came and fought Israel at Rephidim. Moses ordered Joshua: “Select some men for us and go out and fight Amalek. Tomorrow I will take my stand on top of the hill holding God’s staff.” Joshua did what Moses ordered in order to fight Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went to the top of the hill. It turned out that whenever Moses raised his hands, Israel was winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, Amalek was winning. But Moses’ hands got tired. So they got a stone and set it under him. He sat on it and Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on each side. So his hands remained steady until the sun went down. Joshua defeated Amalek and its army in battle. EXODUS 17:8-13 NLT

When my life is at its worst, I need prayer the most

In my desperation I prayed, and the LORD listened; he saved me from all my troubles. PSALM 34:6 NLT
Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from inside the fish. JONAH 2:1 NLT
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. PHILIPPIANS 4:6 NLT

Sometimes I will need others to help me pray

When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. ROMANS 1:12 NLT

Teach me to pray

Once Jesus was in a certain place praying. As he finished, one of his disciples came to him and said, “Lord, teach us to pray…” LUKE 11:1 NLT
When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them… MATTHEW 6:5 NLT
When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. MATTHEW 6:7 NLT

Pray with me

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. JAMES 5:16 NLT

Pray for me

God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom I serve with all my heart. ROMANS 1:9 NLT

I need to pray for God’s help in my battles

Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to every prayer made in this place. 2 CHRONICLES 7:14-15 NLT
Where do I need to be Joshua? My part *
Where do I need to be Moses? *God’s part

I need to pray for my spiritual leaders as they pray for me

Dear brothers and sisters, I urge you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to join in my struggle by praying to God for me. Do this because of your love for me, given to you by the Holy Spirit. ROMANS 15:30 NLT
And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ. PHILEMON 6

Community Group Discussion Guide

  1. If your prayer life was a food, what type of food would it be and why? How hungry would you be?
  2. When you are worried or anxious, where do you go to find relief?
  3. Read Philippians 4:6. In what ways might your life be different if you consistently brought your anxiety to God in prayer?
  4. Read Psalm 34:6. When was the last time you cried out to God in desperation? What happened?
  5. Where do you need God’s help in your life right now? How can we pray with you and for you?
  6. Read Philemon 1:6. Heading into offering weekend, what has God been telling you as you have been praying about your gift to The Momentum Project?

Personal Reflection Guide

Find a quiet place where you can be alone with God. Spend a few moments thinking about what it would feel like to pray as Moses did. What would it be like to know and feel God’s desires for something and to know that he heard and honored your prayers? Spend a few moments in silence and consider your own life and the lives of those around you. Ask God if there is anything he wants you to bring to him in prayer. As ideas come to you, ask God what his thoughts and desires are in that area and share your thoughts and desires with him. As you move through your week, continue to pray in this way and consider asking a friend to join you in your prayers.

My Notes