Our focus this week is on the doctrine of prayer. We heard in the weekend message that one of the main reasons people have doubts about their faith is that their prayers were not answered as they hoped. In our Bible study today, we will look at some of the barriers that can hinder our prayer lives, and we will be challenged to trust God to take care of and provide for us, even when His answers to our prayers are “no” and “wait.”
What are some of the questions or doubts people have when it comes to prayer?
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1. Read James 1:5-8. Name some of the reasons why people might “waver” when they bring their requests before God. How does wavering negatively impact us?
James 1:5-8
5If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 6But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 7Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.
2. Why can we come before God confidently, without wavering, based on what you learn about God in James 1:5-8?
3. Read James 4:1-3. Why might someone hold off on coming to God in prayer and making requests before Him, and what is at stake if we hold off on turning to Him in prayer?
James 4:1-3
What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? 2You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. 3And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.
4. How does this passage of Scripture correct the line of thinking that prayer is primarily about us?
1.What things are holding you back from growing in your own prayer life?
2. When was a time when God answered a prayer differently, but ultimately better, than you expected? How does remembering that time encourage you when it comes to the things you are praying for right now?
3. What is a prayer request that you have been regularly praying for? How have you seen God at work, whether in big or small ways, in that area?
Now that everyone has shared prayer requests, it is time to pray together. Pair up into small groups of two to four people. Remind each other of the requests you shared with your small group and pray for each other. Continue praying for each other throughout the week.
While many may be tempted to approach prayer thinking about themselves, a better focus when we set out to pray is on the God we are praying to. In our study today, we will look at three truths to remember about God when we turn to Him in prayer: God hears us when we pray, God draws near to us as we come to Him, and God responds to our prayers as our good, loving Heavenly Father. Take a few moments to reflect on these truths Scripture teaches us about God and discuss them with your group.
Our human nature may tempt us to wonder whether God hears our prayers, especially when they are answered differently than we had hoped. Scripture relieves those doubts and assures us that we have a God who hears every single one of our prayers. Take a look at what this Scripture teaches about our Heavenly Father.
1. Read Psalm 34:17.
Psalm 34:17
The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles.
2. Look at the word “all” in this passage of Scripture. What does this word indicate about our prayers to God? Do you find this easy or difficult to believe about your own prayers? Why?
3. If God hears us when we pray, what is the next logical conclusion about His responses to our prayers?
4. How does this passage of Scripture bring you comfort when it comes to the request you have been praying for, maybe even for years?
Unlike in the false religions or this world today, our God, the one true God, is not distant or far-off when we turn to Him. He desires to be close to His people, and when we come to Him in prayer, He responds by coming close to us. Turn to Scripture now to read more about this remarkable truth.
1. Read James 4:8a and Psalm 145:18.
James 4:8a
Come close to God, and God will come close to you.
Psalm 145:18
The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth.
2. Study these verses for a moment. How do these passages of Scripture encourage us to approach God?
3. How have you experienced God’s closeness in your own life?
4. How does knowing that God is close when you call on Him impact how you pray?
When Jesus taught His disciples (and us) how to pray in Matthew 6:9, He invited us to pray to God as “Father.” Indeed, God is our perfect Heavenly Father. That means that when we pray, He responds as any good father would. Remember, a good father would not say “yes” to every single request from his child. Instead, he will respond based on his child’s needs. Sometimes that response will be “yes.” Other times it will be “no” or “wait.” The same is true with our Heavenly Father. Regardless of how He responds, we can be sure that He responds according to our needs and according to His perfect plans, which are far greater than our own.
1. Read Matthew 7:7-11
Matthew 7:7-11
7“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 9“You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? 10Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! 11So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.
2. What verse do you think summarizes Jesus’ main point in this teaching? Why?
3. What are some examples of when a parent might say “No” or “Wait” to their children? How does this reminder impact how you think about your own prayers to God?
4. What can we infer about how God responds to our prayers based on this Scripture reading?
As you reflect on the Scripture you studied today, pick a passage of Scripture from what you read to memorize over the next week. Share with your group which Scripture you chose to memorize and why. Over this next week and beyond, let that verse serve as a reminder to you that God is not distant. Instead, He is our present, good Heavenly Father who responds to our prayers accordingly.
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