Adult Content: Prayer is Better

Summary: Instead of fighting, arguing, trying it on our own, or relying on the power of other things, Paul tells the Church to pray.  He tells us who to pray to, as well as 4 things to include in our prayers.

Text: 1 Timothy 2:1-8


1.  In vs 1, Paul says prayer is what we are to do FIRST, and he URGES the people to do it.  Prayer is easy to do, doesn't cost us any money, and isn't a huge sacrifice of our time or resources.  So why is it that so many people struggle to have a strong and effective prayer life?  (don't know what to say, don't know how to say it, don't feel comfortable talking to God, don't think it's effective or will change anything).


2.  Read 1 Timothy 2:1 and Philippians 4:6.  Take a moment and talk about the different aspects of prayer that Scripture calls us to:
a. Supplication (requests, petitions, asking God for things we want or need)
b. Prayer (an idea that the act of prayer is actually worship to God)
c. Intercession (praying for the needs and desires of others)
d.  Thanksgiving (thanking God for what He has done for you)

-So what are the easiest aspects of our prayers?  What are the hardest?  Why do we tend to focus on the first one and neglect the last 3?


3.  What you pray FOR reflects what you believe ABOUT God.  Examples: Small prayers=small viewpoint of God.  Selfish prayers=God exists just for you.  All supplications=God is just my heavenly butler.  No prayers=God isn't powerful, doesn't work, and can't do anything for me.

So, if your daily prayers were written out and someone read them, what would they say about you and how you viewed God?  (This person had a lot of faith and believes that God can do big things, OR this person obviously doesn't believe that God can do too much, not really relying on His power, doesn't really talk with God very much).


4.  Read 1 Timothy 2:2 and Matthew 5:43-44.  Do you ever pray for your "enemies"?  Is prayer your natural response to those that believe/act/speak differently than you?  If not, why?


5.  When you pray, are you asking God to take you OUT of your circumstances, or asking Him to come INTO your circumstances?    How are those 2 different?


6.  Hands up is a universal sign of surrender.  Have you reached a point in your life where you ever threw your hands up to God and said, "I give up"?  How can surrender be such a freeing motion in life?  What are some areas of your life that you need to simply raise your hands and surrender it to God?