Prayer

God is not a mortal like me, so I cannot argue with him or take him to trial. If only there were a mediator between us, someone who could bring us together… Then I could speak to him without fear, but I cannot do that in my own strength. JOB 9:29-35 NLT

The Trinity

All of scripture reveals God as eternally more than one person

Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us.” GENESIS 1:26 NLT
After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” MATTHEW 3:16-17 NLT

Jesus and the Holy Spirit are each fully God

For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. COLOSSIANS 2:9 NLT
Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit? You have not lied to man but to God.” ACTS 5:3-4 ESV

The Father, Son and Spirit are three distinct persons

(LUKE 1:35, 1 PETER 1:2, 2 CORINTHIANS 1:21-22, 2 CORINTHIANS 13:14)

…And yet, God is one

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. MATTHEW 28:19 NLT
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God [Elohim: “Gods”], the LORD is one [Echad: “unified one”]. DEUTERONOMY 6:4 ESV

God eternally exists as three persons, each is fully God, and there is one God

Jesus is the supernatural priest

Under the old covenant, the priest stands and ministers before the altar day after day, offering the same sacrifices again and again, which can never take away sins. But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand. For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy. And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. HEBREWS 10:11-12, 14, 19-22 NLT

To pray, the only priest I need is Jesus

Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf. HEBREWS 7:25 NLT
Since then we have a great high priest… Jesus, the Son of God… Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. HEBREWS 4:14-16 ESV

To pray, the only words I need are real ones

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words… the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. ROMANS 8:26-27 ESV

Community Group Discussion Guide

  1. When you hear the word “prayer,” what types of things jump into your mind?
  2. Hebrews 10 tells us that, because of Jesus, we can come boldly to God. Do you feel bold when you come to God in prayer? Why or why not?
  3. How does knowing that the only words we need to pray are real ones affect your perspective on prayer?
  4. How would you describe your prayer times with God right now? In a perfect world, what would you like them to look like?
  5. What types of things keep you from talking deeply and consistently to God through prayer? What can you do to overcome these obstacles?

Personal Reflection Guide

Find a place where you can be alone with God. Reflect on what you tend to pray about. Is there anything you would like to talk to God about but have felt unable to say? Is there a fear, anxiety or weakness you’ve struggled to confess or a joy you would like to reach for? When you are ready, picture Jesus sitting with you, waiting to hear what you have to say and ready to intercede for you. Speak to him.

My Notes