Airplane Mode: You're Too Connected

Matthew 17:14-21, Luke 18:1

Intro:

What things in your life get in the way of you having a consistent prayer life?

Why do you think prayer is oftentimes a "last resort" instead of a first priority for us?

Does anyone have a routine that has helped them in their prayer life? (Specific place, time, resource, practice?)


Scripture Discussion & Application:

Read Luke 18:1

Jesus tells the parable of the persistent widow to help illustrate a few things on prayer. What are some things (big and small) that you need to bring to God in prayer that you haven't yet?

Read Matthew 17:14-21

What does being "connected to God" mean to you? What does that look like?

What are ways that have worked for you that help you to connect with God?

What are other big things in your life that you are connected to (outside of God)? Are those things hurting your relationship with God?

Worship is really about the call and response for connection. How do you see yourself worshiping who/what you're connected to?


Next Steps:

If you haven't already, lay out these things in your life to help you gain some traction with your connection with God:

1. Determine a time of day. Set a literal "meeting" with God on your schedule so that your time won't get taken up by something else.

2. Determine a setting of where you will pray. (At the kitchen table while kids are getting ready to go to school probably isn't good. At your desk while employees/boos are calling and stopping by to ask you questions probably isn't good.)

3. Pick a resource to help your prayer time be productive. (21 days of prayer guide, praying through Scripture, using a devotional guide, etc.)

4. Consider fasting from something to help you connect better with God. (What are you doing/eating/participating in that takes too much energy and focus from God?)


How to Pray This Week:

Ask God to bring to light the things that are blocking your connection with Him. Confess these things, and ask God to guide you in how you handle reprioritizing them.

Use the Next Steps we discussed to improve your connection with God this week.

21 Days of Prayer - Be sure to participate in our church's 21 days of prayer. Use the guide from the cards you received on Sunday, or follow along on Facebook.


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Happenings

21 Days of Prayer - Be sure to participate in our church's 21 days of prayer. Use the guide from the cards you received on Sunday, or follow along on Facebook.

Night of Prayer - January 27th at 5pm

What: This is the church-wide culmination of our annual 21 days of prayer. After uniting in prayer as individuals/families/rGroups for 21 dis, we'll set the tone for the rest of the year by gathering everyone together for worship in song and prayer. We'll praise God in song, and then small groups will break out and pray through the topics on our prayer guides. Childcare will be provided for children 0-3 years old; children 4 and up are invited to attend with their families.

Where: Each campus will hold a simultaneous, one-hour night of prayer.

Why: We know prayer is a lifestyle, not just a one-off event. The night of prayer will help us envision what it looks like to continue to faithfully pray through the topics in our prayer guides throughout the year, whether individually or in our families or rGroups. This Night of Prayer is both an end and a beginning, as we commission out the entire church to Confess, Change and Act all year long.