Key Bible Passage(s):

Heb.6:7-8; Rom.8:26-27; II Thess.1:11-12

Tier 1:

Jesus models a life of prayer. We might find it strange that Jesus prays. But His perfect humanity of course means He will be deeply committed to prayer. As the Christ, anointed with the Spirit of prayer, He is characterized by prayer. The Spirit is the Spirit of Fellowship (think of the Grace, II Cor.13:14). This is because of His role in the fellowship between the Father and Son: so the Son, by the Spirit, fellowships with the Father. When we receive that same Spirit, we are caught up into the life and fellowship of the Trinity. Spirit-filled people are always people of prayer.

Tier 2:

As we ‘watch’ we identify issues which we then ‘pray’ about in ways that are shaped by the Scriptures. In part this is a defensive posture of prayer, as we sense the approach of sin, the world or the devil. But there is also a proactive dimension as we we are pursuing Christlikeness, that becomes the subject of our prayer.  As with watching, there is a corporate element to this that catches up into other Christians’ pursuit of holiness.

Tier 3:

Prayer is so critical in the life of the believer that God is not willing to leave us alone in it!  Both the Son and the Spirit are deeply and intimately involved in our life of prayer.  This should give us tremendous confidence and hopefulness as we turn to prayer.  It should also give us a sense of the importance of praying in a way that is shaped by the Scriptures.  As the Book inspired by the Spirit, it remains for us an authoritative guide to our life of prayer in the Spirit. 

A deep sense of their own weakness, and of Christs fullness; a strong conviction of their natural corruption, and of a necessity of renewing grace, will not let them rest from crying day and night to their Almighty Redeemer, that the divine image, which they lost in Adam, may through their all-powerful meditation, and the sanctifying operation of his blessed spirit, be begun, carried on, and fully perfected both in their souls and bodies.

George Whitfield

Discussion Groups:

Read Rom.8:26-27

Do you agree with Paul that ‘we don’t know what we ought to pray for’ (v.26)?  How does that shape your approach to prayer? 

What does Paul mean when he talks about ‘wordless groans’ (v.26)? 

What do you think the Spirit prays for us?  If the Spirit intercedes for us, then why do we need to pray at all (v.27)?

On the basis of our experience of the Spirit in prayer, do you think [our Church] is a Spirit-filled Church?  Why / why not?  What – if anything - needs to change?

and later in the session:

Recap your own thoughts on Heb.6:7-8 (we did this last session). And then PRAY for each other and for [our Church] in ways shaped by your meditation on this passage.

Read II Thess.1:11-12

What is the ‘this’ Paul has in mind that is shaping his prayer for the Thessalonian Christians? How does ‘this’ shape his prayer?

What does it mean to pray that Christians would be made worthy of God’s calling?

What would people at [our Church] look like if ‘every desire for goodness’ and ‘every deed prompted by faith’ was brought to fruition?  How would that affect our ministry and mission as a Church?

What does Paul mean when he prays for Christians to be glorified in the Lord Jesus (and He in us)?

How does His grace drive our pursuit of holiness?

How would you feel about the Church praying this for you?

In your groups, pray in a way that is shaped by this passage for [our Church]

Homework:

Over this half-term we will be working to memorise Matthew 5:38-42. You will have to keep refreshing Matt.5:1-37, Matt.6:5-34 and Matt.7:1-28 whilst you do this.

(we’ll memorise the whole of the Sermon on the Mount over the 3 years of DTP)

To Be A Christian revisit: Q&A 209-220 (deliver us from evil)

Over the course of the next week, pray for [our Church] using prayers penned by Paul for Churches in his letters:

Day 1: Phil.1:9-11

Day 2: Col.1:9-14

Day 3: I Thess.3:9-13

Day 4: Eph.3:14-21

Day 5: Rom.15:5-6 & 13

Day 6: I Cor.1:4-9

Day 7: Eph.1:15-23

This last one can be a bit tricky to follow - Paul’s language is quite dense, and there is a lot going on theologically. Here’s a video you might find helpful.

for personal reflection:

Read Jn.14:14, 16:23; I Jn.5:14-15.  What does it mean to pray ‘In Jesus’ Name’ – can you think of other passages that might help answer?  Is this your experience of prayer?

John 15:7: What does it remain in Christ?  is this your experience of prayer?

I John 3:21-22 Do this encourage you, or leave you feeling condemned?  why?

How can we relinquish our own desires?