Elevate Wednesday 10.7.09

-Acts says that the apostles devoted themselves to prayer (among other things). If we use Jesus as an example, and these are the very people that KNEW Him, AND they DEVOTED themselves to prayer...this should mean something to us. Matthew 6:5-8 says not to be like the hypocrites that pray in public for attention and so that others will hear their many words, but to go into our closets in private to pray. We break this verse down, focusing on the fact that clearly God is not looking for eloquent words, but rather pure hearts! We also ask the question if all of our prayers must be in our closets in privacy (which is of course not the case as 1 Thessalonians says to pray continually...if I prayed continually in my closet I would not get much work done)! In closing, we brainstorm other ways to communicate with God in our everyday lives, outside of church. Main focuses of this talk are that 1. eloquence is not the key to prayer, 2. prayer can have many forms and emotions to go with it as long as we are remember to praise Him and ask for forgiveness of our sins, and that 3. worshiping God simply means to honor Him...opening all kinds of doors!

Thanks for all you do!!

Staci Stringer
Worship: Prayer
Small Group Conversation * October 7, 2009

To Recap:
1. Worship is giving reverence and honor to God.
2. Prayer is the act of communicating with God.
Digging In:
Look up Matthew 6:5-8…

1. If a “hypocrite” is someone who pretends to live by a set of values but really doesn’t…how do you think the people being described here were being hypocrites? (Their motives were for their own popularity, so they looked spiritual, rather than being to communicate with God).

2. We should have times of prayer where we are alone, like described in this verse. But what are some other ways you personally like to or can communicate with God outside of church?

Look up Ephesians 6:18…

1. This verse says, “with all kinds of prayers.” Sometimes we tend to only talk to God when we are unhappy and need something, OR the opposite, when everything is going well! Think of some feelings that you could talk to God about in prayer, OTHER than simply happy or sad. (Guilt, Shame, Loneliness, Gratefulness, Excitement)

2. Read this version of Matthew 6: 7-13 (The Lord’s Prayer) from The Message Bible…Have students close their eyes as you slowly read this prayer.
(ON BACK)

Matthew 6: 7-13 (The Message)
With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this:
Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right;
Do what's best— as above, so below.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You're in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You're ablaze in beauty!

*Have left over time? Have each comfortable student take a letter of the P.R.A.Y. (Praise, Repent, Ask, Yield) and pray with the group!!

In Closing:
There is no formula for a correct prayer. Prayer is our way of communicating with God. As long as we are praising God for His gifts and asking Him for forgiveness of our sins, we can communicate with God however we want! We never have to worry about God judging us because our words may not flow nicely! He already knows what’s in our hearts, He just likes to hear us say it to Him!