LESSON THREE: PRAYER AND MEDITATION

LESSON THREE: PRAYER AND MEDITATION
1 JOHN 5:14-15, PHILIPPIANS 4:4-9
INTRODUCTION
Prayer and meditation are essential parts of the faith. We all know that, but how do we put them into practice? How do we learn to pray and what does genuine prayer look like? What is prayer supposed to do for us? Since God already knows everything, why do I need to tell Him things?
PART ONE: WHAT DID WE READ?
1) What confidence should we have when we come before God in prayer?
2) According to Philippians, how should prayers and petitions be offered to God?
3) What is the result of our praying?
4) What should we think about?
5) Whose example does Paul tell them to follow?
PART TWO: WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
1) In 1 John we are told that God hears our prayers and will answer them. What proviso is given to this statement?
2) Is prayer about getting what we want? If not, what is it about?
3) Is prayer connected with rejoicing?
4) How is peace the result of prayer?
5) Why is it important to think about good and pure things?
PART THREE: HOW DOES IT APPLY TO US?
1) With what kind of confidence do you pray?
2) When you pray, do you try to pray for things according to God’s will? How important is it for you to do so?
3) Is joy an important part of your prayer life?
4) How often do you include thanksgiving as an important part of your prayer life?
5) Are you good at thinking about good and pure things?
PRAYER
“Keep your wants, your joys, your sorrows, your cares, and your fears, before God. You cannot burden Him; you cannot weary Him. He who numbers the hairs of your head is not indifferent to the wants of His children. . . Take to Him everything that perplexes the mind. Nothing is too great for Him to bear, for He holds up worlds, He rules over all the affairs of the universe. Nothing that in any way concerns our peace is too small for Him to notice. There is no chapter in our experience that is too dark for Him to read; there is no perplexity too difficult for Him to unravel. No calamity can befall the least of His children, no anxiety harasses the soul, no joy cheer, no sincere prayer escapes the lips, of which our heavenly Father is unobservant, or in which He takes no immediate interest. ‘He heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds’ (Psalm 147:3). The relationship between God and each person are as distinct and full as though there were not another soul upon earth to share His watch care, not another soul for whom He gave His beloved Son.”