Praying Like There’s No Tomorrow: Week Nine Group Discussion Guide
Persistent Prayer
Matthew 7:1-11 and Luke 11:1-13
Pray Together
Pray, “Come Holy Spirit”. Invite the Holy Spirit to take his proper place in your time together.
Ask the Lord to comfort and guide each member during your group time.
Read Together
Matthew 7:1-11
7 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
9 “You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? 10 Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! 11 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.
Read Together
Luke 1:1-13
Introduction
1 Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us. 2 They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples. 3 Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write an accurate account for you, most honorable Theophilus, 4 so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.
The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold
5 When Herod was king of Judea, there was a Jewish priest named Zechariah. He was a member of the priestly order of Abijah, and his wife, Elizabeth, was also from the priestly line of Aaron. 6 Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations. 7 They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old.
8 One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week. 9 As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. 10 While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside, praying.
11 While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar. 12 Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him. 13 But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John.
Discuss Together
What makes us want to stop praying at times?
Why can’t we just ask God one time for something? Why do we have to ask at all?
When was a time that you experienced unanswered prayer? How did that feel?
How can you continue to pursue the Lord in prayer? Why is prayer essential for pursuing the Lord?
How does knowing God wants you to continually come back to him in prayer makes you feel?
What are your thoughts about Jesus not getting his prayer answered the way he wanted in the Garden of Gethsemane?
Pray Together
Ask your group members to voice any prayer request they have.
Pray for the various needs of your group.
Ask the Lord to help our church to persist in prayer.
