SESSION 15

Understanding Prayer

What is prayer?

Prayer is talking with God—a conversation. As Christians, we believe that God created us for a relationship with Him. Just as we get to know someone by talking and listening, so we deepen our relationship with God through prayer.

Jesus expects His disciples to pray. In Matthew 6:5, He said, "When you pray..." His disciples, though already familiar with prayer, saw that Jesus had a deeper relationship with the Father. If Jesus needed to pray so much, how much more do we?

Prayer is about Friendship

Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, "Pray without ceasing." While this might seem impossible, it reflects the idea that prayer is a continuous conversation with God. As Rick Warren states in The Purpose Driven Life:

"You will never grow a close relationship with God by attending church once a week, or by having a regular quiet time. Friendship with God is built by sharing all your life experiences with Him."

Brother Lawrence, a 17th-century monk, called this practicing the presence of God, meaning we can engage with God in all aspects of our daily lives.

We Should Pray from the Heart

Jesus warned against praying to impress others or using empty words (Matthew 6:7). In Luke 18, He told a parable contrasting a Pharisee’s self-righteous prayer with a tax collector’s humble cry: "God, be merciful to me, a sinner!" God hears sincere, heartfelt prayers.

Who Are We Praying To?

Jesus taught us to pray, "Our Father..." (Matthew 6:9). This was revolutionary to the disciples, who had been raised to revere God’s name so much that they wouldn’t even say it aloud. Yet Jesus invites us to call God Abba—a term of intimate relationship (Romans 8:15).

We can also pray to Jesus, thanking Him for His sacrifice and seeking His help (e.g., "Jesus, help me!"). The Holy Spirit also intercedes for us, guiding us in prayer (Romans 8:26).

Practical Points on Prayer

Private Prayer: Jesus encourages finding a quiet place to pray (Matthew 6:6).
Praying Out Loud: Speaking prayers helps bring clarity.
Regular Time with God: Like a strong marriage, our relationship with God deepens through intentional time together.
Learning to Pray: Just as children grow in speech, we grow in prayer through practice. God welcomes all our prayers, whether fluent or hesitant.

Persistence in Prayer

Sometimes we don’t see immediate answers, but Jesus calls us to "always pray and not give up" (Luke 18:1). God’s timing and purposes are beyond our understanding, but persistent prayer strengthens our dependence on Him.

“Show up, and keep showing up. That’s the one non-negotiable when it comes to prayer.” (Tyler Staton)

Discussion Questions

Do you have a set time/place for private prayer?
How often do you pray? Have you considered practicing God’s presence throughout the day?
How confident are you that God hears you when you pray?

The Lord’s Prayer

Jesus gave us a perfect model for prayer (Matthew 6:9-13). Many use it as a guide in daily prayer. Here’s a breakdown:

Our Father

God is our loving Father (Isaiah 9:6). We can confidently approach Him (Hebrews 10:22). A great way to start prayer is with praise and thanksgiving (Psalm 100:4).

Who art in heaven

God is sovereign, above all things, yet intimately involved in our lives.

Hallowed be your name

God’s name is holy and powerful (Philippians 2:9-10). Reflecting on His names—Rock, Refuge, Prince of Peace—can deepen our prayers.

Your kingdom come

We pray for God’s rule and reign in our lives and the world, aligning our desires with His purposes.

Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven

This is where prayer becomes a two-way conversation, seeking God’s will in our daily actions and relationships.

Give us this day our daily bread

This is about whatever we need—practical needs like food, finances, sleep, or help with specific tasks. The Holy Spirit is given to be our Helper, Counsellor, and Comforter.

"Holy Spirit, I really need your help with this task; please help me to do a good job. Please help me with this meeting, this conversation. Please help me today to prioritise what is important. Please help me to be patient with the children today." Even small things, like asking for help when lost, are part of a life of prayer.

And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors

It’s interesting that Jesus doesn’t begin the prayer with confession. As Christians, we are already forgiven, but we still need to bring daily sins before God, much like washing the dust off our feet (John 13:10). If we’re holding onto sin or refusing to forgive, Psalm 66:18 warns, "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me." Unrepented sin hinders prayer.

Lead us not into temptation

1 Peter 5:8 warns that "the enemy prowls around like a roaring lion." Temptation is everywhere. Being aware of our weaknesses helps us resist. We can pray, "Lord, help me to keep away from [specific temptation]. Help me to put my mind on something else."

But deliver us from the evil one

James 4:7 reminds us, "Submit yourselves to God; resist the devil and he will flee from you." Praying for protection over ourselves and our families—physically, emotionally, and spiritually—is vital. We can ask God to guard our children’s minds, protect from harmful influences, and guide us away from danger.

For Yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory

A reminder of who is truly in charge! We declare that God alone is sovereign, powerful, and worthy of all glory.