series artseries art

Praying with the Power of God

Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” LUKE 18:9-14 NLT

I can pray with the power of God by…

Praying with a spirit of humility

The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’ LUKE 18:11-12 NLT

Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall. PROVERBS 16:18 NLT

… “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” JAMES 4:6 NLT

Being completely honest when I pray

“But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ LUKE 18:13 NLT

The LORD is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth. PSALM 145:18 NLT

The godly are directed by honesty; the wicked fall beneath their load of sin. PROVERBS 11:5 NLT

God loves to listen to honest prayers

For I cried out to him for help, praising him as I spoke. If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. PSALM 66:17-18 NLT

God’s grace is more powerful than my sin

But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 1 JOHN 1:9 NLT

… “the truth will set you free.” JOHN 8:32 NIV

Pray with your Christian community

Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment. PROVERBS 18:1 ESV

Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven. 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 5:14-16 NLT

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Find a quiet place that will help you to still yourself and clear your mind. Cast any anxieties you are experiencing onto God (1 Peter 5:7). Take some slow, deep breaths or consider a walk if you think these activities will help prepare you to connect to God. When you are ready, think about your prayer life. Ask God to help you to discern how humble and honest your prayers are. Did He bring to mind any pride you have that may be hindering your prayer life? Picture what praying humbly and honestly looks like. What do you need to do to cooperate with God in changing how you pray to match this picture you have in your mind more effectively? What thoughts and feelings surface when you think about confessing your sins to God and asking others to pray for you to be healed in areas of need? Close your time by asking God to give you the courage and wisdom to take the next step in growing more humble and honest in your prayers, and take that step. Thank Him for the wonderful results He will accomplish through praying this way.

Discussion Questions

Choose a couple of the following questions from each section that best fit your group. Or, have everyone read the questions, choosing which one(s) from each section that they feel led to respond to.

  1. START HERE: Who is harder for you to relate to: The self-righteous Pharisee or the humble tax collector?
  2. START HERE: How has a prideful person–or a person of great humility–impacted your relationship with God?
  3. START HERE: What do you think it is about confession that is so scary for Christians?
  4. KEEP GOING: Read Proverbs 16:18 (NLT). Share a time in your life when God “checked you” with reality that brought about greater humility. How did those experiences change you?
  5. KEEP GOING: How is personal pride affecting your prayer life?
  6. KEEP GOING: Read Psalm 145:18 (NLT). How would our prayers change if we were more honest in them, trusting that God’s grace is more powerful than our sin?
  7. LIVE IT OUT: How has being in biblical community helped you to heal spiritually, physically or emotionally?
  8. LIVE IT OUT: Read James 5:16 (NLT). Every great movement of God begins with the confession of the people of God. What role has confession played in your growth or healing?
  9. LIVE IT OUT: This week, identify a safe person who has permission to speak into your life that you can go to when you need to practice confession.
  10. LIVE IT OUT: What do you need prayer for this week? Close your group time by breaking into smaller groups and praying real, honest prayers for each other.