Coming to God in Prayer, our role and God's role

The most basic definition of prayer is “talking to God.” Prayer is not meditation or passive reflection; it is direct address to God. It is the communication of the human soul with the Lord who created the soul. Prayer is the primary way for the believer in Jesus Christ to communicate his emotions and desires with God and to fellowship with God.

Jesus teaches about our role in Prayer (Read Luke 11:1-13)

1. What was Jesus doing that made his disciples ask about prayer? From Luke 11:2-4, in your own words what did Jesus teach them to pray about?

2. What was Jesus’ point of the story he tells in Luke 11:5-8? How does this relate to the invitation and promise given to everyone in Luke 11:9-10?

3. Jesus teaching on prayer culminates in Luke 11:13. What does this verse say about God’s promise to those who ask?

Jesus teaches about God’s role in prayer (Read John 16:16-33)

4. From John 16:23-24 what is the promise Jesus is giving to his disciples regarding prayer? Why will this take place (John 16:26-27)?

5. How does John 16:20-22 relate to the earlier teaching of Jesus from John 3:3-8? How does the metaphor used bring to light the will of God in our faith verses our own will? (Eph 2:8)

6. What statements do the disciples make that point to their faith (John 16:29-30)? What will be evident when we come to God in prayer (John 16:22,24,33)? According to Hebrews 11:6, why is faith important as we pray?