Big Idea of the Series: This four-week series approaches what
it means to live a life of prayer. Starting with the difference between the joy
of a real relationship through the gospel versus empty religious duty, this
series will encourage students to develop a meaningful prayer life by
overcoming distractions, prioritizing God’s presence, and using God’s Word as
fuel for effective prayer.
Week 1
Text: John 15:1–11
Big Idea of the Message: We are invited out of religious performance and into
a meaningful relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
In this passage, Jesus is talking to
his disciples about having a relationship with him, one that is a deep and
meaningful friendship. When we are walking in that kind of closeness with
Jesus, our prayers will honor him and be effective (v. 7–8). The Lord’s desire
is that we would have complete joy, and that happens in a right relationship
with him (vv. 10–11). God is not impressed by our mere religious
activity. He wants our hearts! Imagine if your best friend ate lunch with you
only because they had to. It would sap the joy from being with them! Prayer is simply a conversation with
God. We don’t have to make it more difficult than it is. Prayer is a source of
joy because we get to both give and receive from God. He will meet with us,
speak to us, instruct us, and be with us. “You make known to me the path of
life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at
your right hand” (Psalm 16:11).
Week 2
Text: Matthew 7:7–11
Big Idea of the Message: We might feel distracted in prayer by our worries
or weaknesses, but God loves to hear us pray because he is a good Father.
We can come to God in prayer like a child—simple, honest, with no fear of getting it wrong. God wants us to come to him, to ask, seek, and knock. When a baby is learning to walk, parents don’t get upset when the child falls down or wobbles. They clap and laugh and encourage their little one to try again. In the same way, God gives us grace when we are learning to pray. He doesn’t get angry or impatient if we mess up or stumble; he celebrates that his kid is trying! “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6–7).
We can come to God in prayer like a child—simple, honest, with no fear of getting it wrong. God wants us to come to him, to ask, seek, and knock. When a baby is learning to walk, parents don’t get upset when the child falls down or wobbles. They clap and laugh and encourage their little one to try again. In the same way, God gives us grace when we are learning to pray. He doesn’t get angry or impatient if we mess up or stumble; he celebrates that his kid is trying! “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6–7).
Week 3
Text: Matthew 6:5–13
Big Idea of the Message: To pray effectively, we must keep God’s presence
and his purposes as our first priority.
In this passage, Jesus emphasizes the hidden things done in secret. God knows the inward motives behind our actions, and his concern is with our hearts. We have to have a heart attitude that is submitted to God’s purposes and his kingdom. James also connects effective prayer (or the lack thereof) with our secret motives: “You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures” (James 4:2–3). This passage isn’t limiting prayer to only happen at home in your bedroom or a closet. We can pray anytime and anywhere! Give a few personal examples of how you pray while you are mowing the lawn, washing dishes, driving, etc.
In this passage, Jesus emphasizes the hidden things done in secret. God knows the inward motives behind our actions, and his concern is with our hearts. We have to have a heart attitude that is submitted to God’s purposes and his kingdom. James also connects effective prayer (or the lack thereof) with our secret motives: “You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures” (James 4:2–3). This passage isn’t limiting prayer to only happen at home in your bedroom or a closet. We can pray anytime and anywhere! Give a few personal examples of how you pray while you are mowing the lawn, washing dishes, driving, etc.
