40DaysOfPrayer_2020_PrayerGuide_ForFlippingBook(1)

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PRAYER GUIDE

“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” —II Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV)

CONTENTS

Understanding Your Study Guide 6

How To Use This Video Curriculum 7

WEEK ONE Spiritual Habits That Will Grow You Up

WEEK TWO Learning to Grow in Prayer

WEEK THREE Positioned for Effective Prayer

WEEK FOUR What Do You Do When Prayers Aren’t Answered?

WEEK FIVE The Goodness of God

Resources 119

UNDERSTANDING YOUR SMALL GROUP STUDY GUIDE WEEKEND SERMON NOTES Bring this book to church during The 40 Days of Prayer series. Use the sermon outline to take notes each week. CHECKING IN Begin each group conversation by briefly discussing a question that will help focus everyone’s attention on the subject of the lesson. KEY VERSE Each week you will find a key Bible Verse for your group to focus on together. If someone in the group has a different translation, ask them to read it aloud so the group can get a bigger picture of the meaning of the passage. VIDEO LESSON There is a video lesson for the group to watch together each week. Take notes as you watch the video and refer back to them during your discussion time. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Discuss these questions as a group. Choose the questions that seem right for the group. The point is to learn and grow together in your faith as you discuss the session, even if this means you don’t get to all the questions. PUTTING IT INTO PRACTICE We don’t want to be merely hearers of the Word; we also need to be doers of the word (James 1:22). This section contains suggestions for your group and for you individually to apply the things you are learning. DAILY PRAYER JOURNAL This section contains directions for daily devotions, including Bible verses and Daily Prayer Journal prompts. There are additional group resources such as SMALL GROUP COVENANT, HELPS FOR HOSTS, SMALL GROUP CALENDAR, etc., in the back of this Guide.

HOW TO USE THIS SMALL GROUP VIDEO CURRICULUM

Follow these simple steps for a successful small group meeting:

• Open your meeting by using the CHECKING IN section of your study guide.

• WATCH THE VIDEO lesson together taking notes as you go.

• Complete the rest of the discussion materials for each session, including the DISCUSSION QUESTIONS . Be sure to review the PUTTING IT INTO PRACTICE section that helps you implement the lessons into your daily life. Commit to filling out the DAILY PRAYER JOURNAL section each day. • Close your time together by praying as a group and planning your next session. A TIP FOR THE HOSTS The study guide material is meant to be your servant, not your master. The point is not to race through the sessions—the point is to take time to let God work in your lives. Give your group members time to explore the questions and process what they learned in each session. It is not necessary to “go around the circle” before you move on to the next question. Let your group know they have the freedom to speak up and share, but don’t insist on it. Your group will enjoy more open sharing and deeper discussion if there is an atmosphere of acceptance and they don’t feel pressured to speak up.

1 WEEK

SPIRITUAL HABITS THAT WILL GROW YOU UP

CHECKING IN Before you begin this study, review the Small Group Covenant on page 140 of this study guide.

What spiritual habits do you need to create?

KEY VERSE “For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” —Hebrews 4:15-16 (NASB)

Watch the video lesson at wol40days.com .

SERMON NOTES

INTRODUCTION • Our world is upside down and we need __________________________ . • It is a huge opportunity to grow for all of us.

Growing is natural if we are __________________________ . • Ephesians 4:14-15, “We’re not meant to remain as children at the mercy of every wind of teaching…instead we’re meant to hold firmly to the truth in love, and to grow up in every way into Christ.” • There are spiritual _______________________ for your life. If you want to grow you’ve got to cooperate with them. I. HOW DO WE GROW? • Matthew 4:4, “People need more than bread for their life; they must feed on the _______________________ of God.” • Acts 20:32, “The word of grace is able to build you up and give you all the blessings that God has…” • Luke 3:18, “In many different ways, John (the Baptist) preached the good news to the people.” • Why did John use different teaching styles? Because we all _______________________ in different ways. II. BUILDING HABITS THAT GROW YOU UP • Spiritual _______________________ grow you. Good habits bless you. • Bad habits kill you. • Your habits _______________________ your life. • Partial faithfulness is unfaithfulness. _______________________ obedience is disobedience.

• How do you grow habits? _______________________ , doing it over and over, that is the only way. • John 13:17, Jesus says, “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you _______________________ them!” • Hebrews 5:12-14, “You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others...” • Hebrews 5:14, “But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil…” • I Corinthians 9:25, “…But we _______________________ to win a prize that will last forever!” III. FIVE HABITS THAT WILL GROW YOU UP • We all need _______________________ that are formed alone, with others, in large groups and in small groups. • Acts 2:46-47, “They worshiped together at the temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s supper...” 1. They met in the temple— _______________________ group. 2. They met in homes— _______________________ group. 3. They studied the Word. 4. They had time alone with God—Joshua 1:8 5. You grow when you _______________________ others. o Romans 1:12, “…together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I…be encouraged by yours.” o Hebrews 10:24-25, “…and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together…” CLOSE • II Corinthians 13:9 (LB), “Our greatest wish and prayer is that you will become _______________________ Christians.”

NOTES DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Do you consider yourself a “creature of habit”? What routines or habits do you have in your prayer life?

1 2 3

What can you do to grow and refine your spiritual habits?

What would you desire to see in your life if you could make a commitment today, and then follow that commitment, to

practice what you learn about prayer for the next forty days?

PUTTING IT INTO PRACTICE Be doers of the Word not merely listeners. That means applying what you learned to everyday life. Beginning by praying over old habits that need to be broken and asking for the power of the Holy Spirit to move in you as you form new habits applying what you have learned each day. ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________

IN YOUR GROUP PRAY TOGETHER

Ask others in your small group to pray specifically for your old habits to be broken and tell them which new habits you are asking God to build in you. Pray for one another and then take time to give thanks for God’s patience and love toward us as we grow. ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ Most of us really resist changing our habits because they are habits! If we are going to grow, our habits are going to have to change. What habits do you have that need to be broken? What new habits is God asking you to form? Are you willing to make a covenant with Him, a promise that you put into practice? Invite the Holy Spirit to speak to you about new things, new habits that will help you grow in Jesus. ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ IN YOUR LIFE DAILY PRAYER

DAILY PRAYER JOURNAL

PRAYER JOURNAL

Beginning on page 16, you will find Bible verses and daily prayer journal prompts for “Spiritual Habits That Will Grow You Up.” Take a few minutes each day to read the verse several times, slowly. Emphasize a different word each time you read a passage. Underline key words or phrases that are especially meaningful to you. Follow the prompts and write down your responses in the journal space provided. Finish with a prayer. BEFORE YOU GO WHAT DECISIONS DO YOU NEED TO MAKE AS A GROUP THIS WEEK? Healthy groups share responsibilities and group ownership. Turn to the Small Group Calendar on page 143 of this study guide. Fill out the calendar together, noting where you will meet each week and who will facilitate your meeting. Note special events, socials, or days off as well. Your group host will be very appreciative, and everyone will have a lot more fun together. Coordinating the group calendar is a great role for someone in your group to fill. In addition, start collecting basic contact information, including phone numbers and email addresses. The Small Group Roster on page 144 of your study guide is a good place to record this information.

We are not meant to remain as children at the mercy of every chance wind of teaching…but we are meant to hold firmly to the truth in love, and to grow up in every way into Christ...”—Ephesians 4:14-15 (Phillips)

PRAYER JOURNAL

DAY

What did you hear? What did God say to you as you read today’s Bible passage? What word or phrase was most meaningful to you? ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ What do you think? What does this passage mean to you? How does it apply to your life? ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ What is your prayer? This is where you turn your thoughts into prayers. It could be a prayer of gratitude or praise. It could be a prayer of confession or a request for God’s help. It’s up to you. But take a minute to write a prayer of response to God. ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________

“People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” —Matthew 4:4 (NLT)

PRAYER JOURNAL

DAY

“Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” —John 13:17 (NIV)

PRAYER JOURNAL

DAY

“All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.” —I Corinthians 9:25 (NLT)

PRAYER JOURNAL

DAY

“They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people...” —Acts 2:46-47 (NLT)

PRAYER JOURNAL

DAY

“Always remember what is written in the book…be sure to obey everything that is written there. If you do this, you will be wise and successful in everything.” —Joshua 1:8 (NCV)

PRAYER JOURNAL

DAY

“When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.” —Romans 1:12 (NLT)

PRAYER JOURNAL

DAY

2 WEEK

LEARNING TO GROW IN PRAYER

CHECKING IN How do you pray?

KEY VERSE “It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, after He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples.’ And He said to them, ‘When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come.’” —Luke 11:1-2 (NASB)

Watch the video lesson at wol40days.com .

SERMON NOTES

INTRODUCTION • This is the second week of 40 days of ________________________ . • It is a huge opportunity to grow for all of us. • Last week we talked about how we __________________ , because growing is natural if we are healthy. • How do you __________________ about prayer? I. A STARTING POINT FOR PRAYER • I have never met a prayer __________________ . • Luke 11:1, “…one of His disciples said to Him, ‘Lord, teach us to...’ 2 And He said to them, ‘When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come…’” • He told His followers we can __________________ how to pray. • Watching Jesus, the disciples knew the power behind His miracles and His teaching was through prayer. • Prayer is just __________________ to God. • God’s crazy about you and He wants to interact with you. • Psalm 103:13, “The Lord is like a father to His children, tender and compassionate to those who reverence Him.” • I John 5:14-15, “We can be __________________ approaching God, knowing that He hears us, and since we know that He hears us… we can be sure that He will answer us.” II. LEARNING TO TALK TO GOD • Prayer is talking to God, beware of making it more. • Prayer is not a ceremony, it is a __________________ . • What’s a ceremony? It’s something with a bunch of ____________ and restrictions and regulations. • A conversation has two parts: talking and listening.

• Prayer is relationship, not ritual. Not duty, but a _______________ . • He is not looking for flowery words, but sincere hearts. • Simple, _______________ , thoughtful, real. • Matthew 6:5-8, “When you pray don’t be like the hypocrites…to be seen by men….” • Hebrews 10:22, “Let us come near to God with a sincere heart and a sure faith.” III. ASKING IS THE KEY • Over 20 times in the New Testament, we are commanded to _______ . • Ask, and it shall be given. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened. • Why? Asking opens us to God’s ______________________ . It is the key to the kingdom of God. • He gets to show how gracious He is. • Regardless of the answer, God is a good, good Father. • Jeremiah 33:3, “Call to Me, and I will __________________ you...” • Matthew 7:11, “…your Heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him?” • James 4:2, “You do not have, because you do not ask.” • So ask and then ______________ God’s answer. CLOSE • Isaiah 30:18, “The Lord waits for you to come to Him so He can show you His love and compassion.” • James 4:8, “Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you.”

NOTES DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Describe how you feel about prayer. The good, the bad, any concerns… Have you ever considered prayer as simply having a conversation with God as a father or dear friend? If not, are you willing to try?

1 2

What do you see as possible stumbling blocks for you?

Are you willing to be real with God, and humbly “ask” in prayer going forward?

PUTTING IT INTO PRACTICE Being a doer in prayer literally means learning to pray. Start today by setting aside a regular time to pray. Then once you begin to pray, ask Him for specific things not general stuff. Keep a journal of your requests and see if He doesn’t begin to answer your specific requests. As you pray with your small group, remember to be specific about needs and pray specifically for others’ needs as well. ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________

IN YOUR GROUP PRAY TOGETHER

Praying with others is often threatening to us. We feel unspiritual or even worse, foolish, to pray in front of others. Take some time to discuss your fears of praying with and for others in a group and then as you pray encourage each other to remember prayer is just talking to God, no more, no less. ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ Growing in any area of our lives takes a realization that we need to grow. The disciples obviously felt a need to grow in prayer after watching Jesus’ prayer life. Do you realize how much you need to grow in your prayer life? Where is it that God is speaking to you about growing in prayer? Is it a daily practice? Is it prayer for others or is it learning to be real with God when you pray? Are you real about your needs and your struggles? Can you come confidently to Him and ask for whatever you need? Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you and be real with God about where you need to grow in your prayer life. (Turn to “The Ephesians 3:20 Exercise” on page 121.) ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ IN YOUR LIFE LEARNING TO PRAY

DAILY PRAYER JOURNAL

PRAYER JOURNAL

Beginning on page 38, you will find Bible verses and daily prayer journal prompts for “Learning to Grow in Prayer.” Take a few minutes each day to read the verse several times, slowly. Emphasize a different word each time you read a passage. Underline key words or phrases that are especially meaningful to you. Follow the prompts and write down your responses in the journal space provided. Finish with a prayer. BEFORE YOU GO Update the Small Group Calendar on page 143 of this study guide, as needed. Where you will meet each week and who will facilitate your meeting? Note any changes to your calendar. Also, add contact information in the Small Group Roster on page 144 of your study guide for new members of your group.

“He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart…” —Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NASB)

PRAYER JOURNAL

DAY

“It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, after He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples.’ And He said to them, ‘When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come.’” — Luke 11:1-2 (NASB)

PRAYER JOURNAL

DAY

“The Lord is like a father to His children, tender and compassionate to those who fear Him.” —Psalm 103:13 (NLT)

PRAYER JOURNAL

DAY

“And we are sure of this, that He will listen to us whenever we ask Him for anything in line with His will. And if we really know He is listening when we talk to Him and make our requests, then we can be sure

that He will answer us.” —I John 5:14-15 (TLB)

PRAYER JOURNAL

DAY

“Let us come near to God with a sincere heart and a sure faith.” —Hebrews 10:22 (NCV)

PRAYER JOURNAL

DAY

“Call to Me, and I will answer you. I will tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.” —Jeremiah 33:3 (MSG)

PRAYER JOURNAL

DAY

“So the Lord must wait for you to come to Him so He can show you His love and compassion.” —Isaiah 30:18 (NLT)

PRAYER JOURNAL

DAY

3 WEEK

POSITIONED FOR EFFECTIVE PRAYER

CHECKING IN How important is a humble heart when I am seeking God?

KEY VERSE “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” —II Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV)

Watch the video lesson at wol40days.com .

SERMON NOTES

INTRODUCTION • Our world is hurting and morally ________________________ . • The world needs healing; ________________ do you pray for that? • 3,000 years ago God made King Solomon a promise in II Chronicles 7:14 and it is often misused. I. A ROAD MAP FOR HEALING PRAYER • II Chronicles 7:14, “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” • This is not a promise for everybody. • “If ________________ people”—who are they? • Matthew 12:46-50, “…Anybody who obeys My Father in heaven and does His will…’” • Four conditions that must be met: ________________ , praying (asking), seeking, turning First: Be real about your need. • Be ________________ that you need help. Humble yourself. • Psalm 25:9, “God leads the humble in the right way, and He teaches them His will.” • Matthew 11:29, “…For I am gentle and I am humble…” II. THE KEY TO THE KINGDOM IS ASKING Second: Ask and ____________ some more. • Everywhere the Bible says ask. • John 16:23-24, “…ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.” • Why ask? It all has to do with ________________________________ .

• How do you learn to trust Him? • I have a need and I express my need, then He meets it and I learn to _____________________ Him. • Ask in Jesus’ name, it has to do with His ______________________ . • Yeshua = God Yahweh saves • John 14:12-15, “…If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it…” III. SEEKING GOD Third: Seek after God, _________________________ after Him. • Prayer is about relationship, asking is about relationship, drawing near to the Father. • Humble yourselves, pray (ask), seek _________________ ; not a • Hebrews 11:6, “God rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” • _____________________ is crucial, with your whole heart. IV. TURN TO HIM Fourth: Turn to Him—“turn from their wicked ways” • You don’t turn from something to _____________________ , but to Him. • Isaiah 17:10, “You have _________________________ the God who saves you…” • New Testament—To turn is metanoia = turn your mind, your _________________________ , that is repentance. • Acts 3:19, “Repent and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out so that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” miracle or an answer, but your Father’s face. • Proverbs 8:17, “…those who seek Me find Me.”

NOTES DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Have you, in the past, humbled yourself before God as you moved into prayer?

1 2 3

With this lesson in mind, how do you think you could deepen your relationship with God through prayer today? What do you think might change in you if you pray primarily seeking God and building your relationship with Him; rather

than seeking answers?

PUTTING IT INTO PRACTICE How can we be doers of the Word when it comes to humility? Think of those in your small group and begin to pray for each of them before you pray for yourself each day. Put them ahead of you and see if God’s grace doesn’t begin to flow in you in a fresh new way. ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________

IN YOUR GROUP PRAY TOGETHER

When you pray for each other today be honest about places pride causes you to stumble and ask for prayer. Pray for each other and then remember to give thanks that Jesus is so patient with our weaknesses and so willing to walk with us as we grow. ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ IN YOUR LIFE Humility is not something anyone ever prays for in the Bible, it is something we choose. We often must choose it when circumstances are difficult, when retaliation and pride demand for us to stand up. Grace is released in humility, so begin to ask God to empower and help you choose humility and the high road in your relationships. Ask God to help you put others ahead of yourself, even those you don’t like. ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________

DAILY PRAYER JOURNAL

PRAYER JOURNAL

Beginning on page 60, you will find Bible verses and daily prayer journal prompts for “Positioned for Effective Prayer.” Take a few minutes each day to read the verse several times, slowly. Emphasize a different word each time you read a passage. Underline key words or phrases that are especially meaningful to you. Follow the prompts and write down your responses in the journal space provided. Finish with a prayer.

PRAYER JOURNAL

DAY

“He leads the humble in the right way, and He teaches them His will.” —Psalm 25:9 (GNT)

PRAYER JOURNAL

DAY

“Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.” —John 16:24 (NASB)

PRAYER JOURNAL

DAY

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