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How Can I Begin To Pray?

Lord, teach us to pray… LUKE 11:1 NIV

And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. “This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”’
MATTHEW 6:5-13 NIV

How can I begin to pray?

Prayer begins by imperfectly showing up for it

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7 NIV

We get prayer wrong when we spend so much time trying to get it right

Prayer begins with honesty

And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full…And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. MATTHEW 6:5,7-8 NIV

May burning coals fall on them; may they be thrown into the fire, into miry pits, never to rise PSALM 140:10 NIV

I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God. PSALM 69:3 NIV

I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble.
PSALM 142:2 NIV

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul
PSALM 23:1-3 NIV

Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s
PSALM 103:1-5 NIV

Prayer is laying before God what is actually in us, not what should be in us

Prayer begins with discovery not just teaching

“This, then, is how you should pray…” MATTHEW 6:9 NIV

Make a commitment to pray about whatever, whenever and however you can

Let’s pray together:

Heavenly Father, You are the God who hears our prayers. Please teach me how to talk to you. Help me to imperfectly show up, be honest, and discover more of myself within your love for me through the practice of prayer. In Jesus name, amen.

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Take a few minutes to slow down, giving God any burdens from the day. While sitting in silence may sometimes feel awkward, give yourself permission to do so here. Consider the state of your heart: are you anxious about anything? Give these to God—simply pray an honest prayer and visualize handing them over to him. Does your heart need peace? Ask for it. Do you need God’s help in any particular area of your life? Again, ask God for help. After you have done this, ask God to remind you of any times in your life when he has given you “green pastures” and you felt his presence, his provision, and his care for you. Spend time here, and thank God for these moments and these memories. Ask him to remind you of his presence as you go about your week, whether you encounter trials and setbacks, or victories and peace. Thank him for your time together, writing down your reflections in the space below, and sharing with your group if you feel comfortable.

Discussion Questions

  1. PERSONAL REFLECTION: Begin group time by completing the Personal Reflection Guide, (link found on the top of sermon notes). Use this time to process the hospitality of God and how he meets us in our joys as well as our pain. (Tip: playing some soft background music is helpful here!)
  2. REAL WITH SELF: Share about a time when you knew you needed to pray, but didn’t know what to say or how to say it?
  3. REAL WITH SELF: If “prayer is the language of the soul”, how in touch are you with what your soul needs? How can honest and regular prayers help reveal more here?
  4. REAL WITH GOD: Read PSALM 103:1-5 NIV. How has God helped you discover more about him through prayer?
  5. REAL WITH OTHERS: How can you make a commitment to pray intentionally and honestly this week? Whatever, whenever and however you can? If any members have tips to share about their own prayer habits, feel free to share with the group.
  6. TAKE ACTION: Spend the next 2 minutes of group time in silence (set a timer on your phone and try it!). Have someone pray something like this before you start: “Dear Lord, we invite you into this time right now. While a time of silence may feel awkward, we ask that you would reveal to each of us anything you would like us to see, experience or feel. Amen.” After this time of silence, share with the group what surfaced for you.