Verses Used:

• Luke 3:21
• Luke 5
• Mark 1:35-38
• John 17
• Galatians 4:6
• 1 Thess. 5:17
• Matthew 6:7-8
• Phillipians 4:6-7
• Luke 6:12-13
• Jeremiah 33:3

Takeaways:

• We can learn to pray “up, in, and out”.
• Up - Prayers of communion with God. Which means to be talking with him and being in His presence.
• Jesus understood His relationship to the Father and pursued God through prayer because of it. Jesus knew he was a beloved son.
• Knowing God’s character and iIs heart toward us changes how we approach prayer.
• In - prayers of petition. This would be praying for our needs and asking for things.
• God is all knowing, He knows what His kids need but He still wants us to ask Him.
• Out - prayers of intercession or, otherwise known as praying for others.
• Some people aren’t sick or in need of intercession because of health, but they are spiritually needy.
• When we pray for others - we are reminded that we can’t save anyone, only God can.

Discussion Questions:

• What has been the biggest challenge for you in communing with God? (praying regularly)
• Does prayer feel like a “have to” or a “get to”, why?
• How might our attitude toward prayer change when we understand our identity in relation to God?
• What would have to change for you to start listening more in prayer?