Intentional Faith: A "How To" Guide - How to See Prayer Answered

Introduction:

How to See Prayer Answered (James 5:13-18):

1. Make prayer the Norm . (Jas 5:13)

   1 Thessalonians 5:17 - pray without ceasing…

2. Call for Help . (Jas 5:14-15)
3. Deal with Sin openly. (Jas 5:16)
4. Believe that prayer Works . (Jas 5:17-18)

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Small Group Discussion
Read James 5:13-18

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. Why do you think most of our prayer requests are about physical needs, and relatively few are about spiritual needs?
   

3. Why does James instruct us to call on church leaders for prayer (Jas 5:14)? What do you think is the purpose of the oil?
   

4. How would you respond to someone who says “I tried praying - and it didn’t work.”?
   

5. What was the point of the Elijah illustration (Jas 5:17-18)? What does this teach us about answered prayer in our lives?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

Praying on Purpose - Praying for Justice

Introduction:

How Should I Respond to Injustice? (Psalm 58)

1. I should recognize that Corruption is inevitable . (Ps 58:1-5)
2. I should pray that God Will Act . (Ps 58:6-9)

   Matthew 5:44 - "But I say to you, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."

   Luke 23:34 - "Father, forgive them. For they do not know what they are doing."

   Acts 7:60 - "Lord, do not hold this sin against them."

3. I should rejoice that God is the Righteous Judge . (Ps 58:10-11)

   Ezekiel 33:11 - "As I live declares the LORD GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live."

   Galatians 6:9 - "Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."

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Small Group Discussion
Read Psalm 58

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. As you reflect upon the Praying on Purpose series, how do you want your prayer life to change or improve moving forward?
   

3. What is an imprecatory psalm? Should we pray imprecatory prayers today? If the answer is yes, how do we find a biblical balance between praying for justice and praying for grace?
   

4. What is the difference between righteous anger and unrighteous anger? Which do you often display on a regular basis?
   

5. Re-read Psalm 58:10-11 - Why should it encourage us to know that the Lord is a righteous judge as well as a righteous rewarder?

Breakout
Pray for one another!

Praying on Purpose - Living To Gain Wisdom

Introduction:

Living To Gain Wisdom (Psalm 1)

1. Wisdom comes when we Rise above worldy influence . (Ps 1:1)
2. Wisdom comes when we Rightly interact with God's Word . (Ps 1:2)

   2 Timothy 3:16 - "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."

3. Wisdom comes when we Recognize the alternative . (Ps 1:3-4)
4. Wisdom comes when we Righteously walk with God . (Ps 1:5-6)

   James 1:5 - "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."

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Small Group Discussion
Read Psalm 1

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. Is there a habit or an area of your life that might be holding you back from living to gain wisdom?
   

3. Do you humbly and genuinely ask God for wisdom? If you do or have, in what ways have you seen Him "give generously" to you (James 1:5)?
   

4. Is there a particular method of "meditation" that works for you to help you fully comprehend and absorb what God is saying to you through Scripture? Is there any method you'd like to try to implement?

Breakout
Pray for one another!

Praying on Purpose - Praising Intentionally

Introduction:

How can we intentionally praise the Lord? (Ps 96)

1. Praise the Lord Freshness . (Ps 96:1-3)
2. Praise the Lord Assurance . (Ps 96:4-6)

   Psalm 149:3-4 - Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre! For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation.

3. Praise the Lord Community . (Ps 96:7-10)
4. Praise the Lord Expectation . (Ps 96:11-13)

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Small Group Discussion
Read Psalm 96

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. Why do you think praise is unintentionally left out of prayers? How can you be sure to include praise before petitions?
   

3. Of the four ways to help us intentionally praise (freshness, assurance, community and expectation) which one do you need to focus on?
   

4. What idol in your life has stolen/is stealing praise from God? Why do people praise idols and why is it ultimately foolish?
   

5. Do you have an example where someone else’s praise of the Lord helped you?
   

6. Bonus: On a scale of 1 – 10, how satisfied are you with your ability to praise God?

Breakout
Pray for one another!

Praying on Purpose - Praying for Perspective

Introduction:

(Psalm 73)

Wicked arrogant people seem to Prosper, and that really bothers me. (Ps 73:1-12)

How God's Presence Makes Things OK that Aren't OK (Ps 73:16-28)

1. God's presence makes me see the Big Picture . (Ps 73:17b-20)
2. God's Presence Exposes My Foolish Thinking . (Ps 73:21-22)
3. God's presence reminds me that He is what I Want . (Ps 73:23-26)

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Small Group Discussion
Read Psalm 73

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. Have you ever been bothered by arrogant and wicked people prospering? How did that affect you?
   

3. Read Psalm 73:15 again. Why is it important that you are careful to not just air all of your theological frustrations? Is it ever appropriate to share your frustrations? If so, how?
   

4. How can you turn your envy of the wicked into pity (and prayer) for the wicked?

Breakout
Pray for one another!
Pray for a constant prayer habit that keeps your perspective where it needs to be.