Men’s Journey Group Spring 2019 Enjoy your prayer life by Michael Reeves

What do I do with the ‘Prayer Passages’ Week # Meeting Date Chapter Memorize Prayer Passage 1 January 22nd 1-2   2 Psalm 1 3 February 5th 3-5 2 Chronicles 7:14 Psalm 107 4 Psalm 130 5 February 19th 6-7 Luke 11:2-4 Psalm 103 6 Psalm 89 7 March 5th 8-9 Colossians 3:17 Psalm 136 8 Psalm 6 9 March 19th 10-11 Romans 8:15 Psalm 139 10 Psalm 13 11 April 2nd 12-14 Hebrews 4:16 Psalm 145 What do I do with the ‘Prayer Passages’ During the week, take the Psalm listed as a prompt for prayer.

Suggested Further Reading Same Author Going Deeper Same Topic Further Reading

Recap of Reading Chapter 1 The ‘problem’ Definition: most people are not good at prayer From leaders to new Christians The ‘problem’ exposes our self-love and self-dependence ‘Prayerlessness always goes hand in hand with a lack of Christian integrity.’ Chapter 2 What is prayer? It is not primarily: a thing ‘to do’ in need of a better method. It is not: a pragmatic way to get what you want It is not: a magic ‘spell’ It is: ‘the primary way true faith expresses itself’ or ‘the chief exercise of faith’

Recap of Reading Chapter 3 Reality: you naturally lack faith Your prayer life reveals the state of your faith Your faith’s enemies – world, flesh devil Your faith’s friend - Jesus Chapter 4 Good News: you’re in good company ‘spiritual giants’ still were human like you You have not managed to invent the problem of prayer being hard Chapter 5 What is going to fuel our faith to pray? The Word (Rom 10:17) Grace of Christ revealed Hear/sing/speak it Awakens your faith The Response: Prayer

Recap of Reading Chapter 6 Jesus and Prayer He best understand prayer He has constantly been in prayer (communion) with God and still is Prayer: you are invited by Jesus to now enjoy his communion with the Father ‘Prayer is learning to enjoy what Jesus has always enjoyed’ Chapter 7 The ‘first lesson’ / command Praying to God as ‘Father’ Father - kind Open-armed, friendly, desired Invitation into the relationship and fellowship – and then his blessing Pleading for God to act as he does Father – acceptance Fixed, attentive adopted What do we learn as well look toward Jesus and the bible – as we look in faith? We see that prayer is an invitation (by faith) into the communion with God that Jesus has. -we share in his kind acceptance -we share in it by faith, and we enjoy this fellowship by faith (=prayer)

Discussion Questions Recite the Memory Verse. What are some ways we can ‘pray at all times’? How would fixating on who God is help you in your prayer life? Is it possible to be a mature believer in Christ and remain independent? Why or why not? Are there areas of self-dependence you need to confess in prayer tonight? Col 3:17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the father through him.

Recap of Reading Chapter 8 Communion with God ‘All Times’ (many different forms) All throughout the day Not primarily a separate thing, but it has separate times Extension of existing communion Has (not always) focused time Focus of communion is the person Distraction guard, changes prayer Chapter 9 You’ve been brought into a relationship of giving and needing (father/son) Asking Thanking Receiving Growing as a needy receiver Enjoying his care and love in faith

Prayer Read: Psalm 136:1-9 Pray (let each member of your group pray)

On your way out- Grab a copy of the schedule Sign up for the Men’s Breakfast March 23rd Get a book ($5)