Before the Throne, Part 4
Why does all hell break loose when we try to enter into prayer? Because prayer is war, and the lack of prayer is nothing less than a declaration of independence from God.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What was one thing from this message that was particularly helpful or insightful? What was one thing that was difficult to understand or put into practice?
- Read and discuss Matthew 26:36-46. What do you see about the nature of man? What do these verses tell you about the nature & person of Jesus? What do you observe about prayer in these verses?
- "Prayer is war." What does this mean? Have you found this to be true?
- Pastor Mike highlights several other hindrances to entering in to prayer: "Prayer is too hard." "I rarely get what I ask for." "I can't find the time." "Prayer is boring." "I get distracted." "I can't see the Person I'm talking to." "I can't hear a response." "I don't need to pray about ____. That will never happen to me – I've got this under control." Which of those hindrances do you struggle with?
- What other hindrances to prayer can you think of?
- How does being strategically specific help us engage in prayer?
- Can you think of a prayer that God did not answer, then discovered later it was for the best?
- Through this series, what have you learned about the importance & benefits of prayer? By contrast, what are the detriments of not praying?
- How do you feel you need to grow in the area of prayer? What will you do to pursue this – what's your plan? Spend some time in prayer asking God to make you a person of consistent prayer, and our church a church of constant prayer.