The Power of Prayer
Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.
~ Ephesians 6:13
I do believe in the power of prayer, I may not always receive the answer I wanted but then again, I'm not God, I don't know the plans He has for me, so whether I like it or not, His answers are always perfect.
Every time I meet with the youth, the last question for them is "How can we pray for you tonight?", then we take turns praying for each other. The process is quite simple, lifting each other up in prayer, so important and something we should be doing for our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ but the high school years are often spent gossiping, tearing others down and rejoicing in the failures of others. That makes kids leery and distrusting to share desires and hopes as well as personal struggles. I want each person who is part of this group to feel safe and lifted up - I care about that more than any of their musical skills, more than getting the words to the songs right, more than just about anything. But trust takes time to build and in some cases, years, but I hope that if they only come a couple of times or dedicate 4 years, that when they move on, they will have developed friendships and a sense of belonging that will encourage them for years.
Here are the questions proposed to them on this lesson.
Asking & Receiving
"Ask, and it will be given to you;
seek, and you will find;
knock, and it will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks receives,
and he who seeks finds,
and to him who knocks it will be opened.
~Matthew 7:7-8
WE NEED GOD! He wants to meet our needs, ask for those things you need; healing, removing of fear or pain, confidence to share your love for God, etc.
1. Each week we spend time asking for prayers and praises - what does this have to do with rehearsing for leading worship?
2. It's important to pray for ourselves but it's important to pray for others, are you every afraid to ask for prayer for yourself? Are you afraid it's too personal or too revealing?
3. Can you share a time when God has answered a prayer?
Praise
"Sing praise songs to God. He's done it all!
Let the whole earth know what He's done!
Raise the roof: Sing your hearts out, O Zion!
The Greatest lives among you: The Holy of Israel."
~Isaiah 12:5
When we receive answer to prayer (even when it's not what we wanted), we should give praise!
1. What is the importance of sharing praises?
2. Many people will thank God for answering their prayers before they've even asked, have you tried that? Has it changed the way you perceive prayer?
How to Pray
"When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and Your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard fro their many words. So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.
Pray, then, in this way:
'Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed by Your name.
Your kingdom come.
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.'
For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.
~Matthew 6:5-15 (NASB)
1. Is there a wrong way to pray?
2. Have you ever inadvertently prayed and then God answered your prayer?
3. How can we pray for you tonight?
Personal reflection:
Being a Christian is more than a label, it's more than a lifestyle, it's having a relationship with Jesus - when you talk often with a friend, you build your relationship - are you talking with God often enough to build a relationship or when He check's His www.yahweh.com email is it missing messages from you?
(personal note - I used the Yahweh.com as an example - it is a real website but I have not thoroughly checked it out, so I am neither endorsing nor denying it.)
The song that was perfect for this lesson, Amy Grant's "Better than a Hallelujah", hits the mark. So often, there have been times in my life when I just haven't had the words and yet God comforts and then answers these unspoken prayers. Beautiful song, enjoy. Usually I try to find youtube versions that include the lyrics but the person who did this video did such a great job with the pictures that I decided to use it.
One last note: many of the Bible verses that I use come from The Message. I tend to find that that version uses a more common everyday vernacular that I think is a little easier for young people to understand. I use www.BibleGateway.com to search for verses - it's easy to use and I do endorse it, plus it has multiple versions as well as languages.
God Bless!
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