Bible Study: Growing in Prayer

For starters...

• Think of a time in your life when you prayed a lot. What was going on in your life during that time/those times? Why do you think you prayed so much during that time?
• Why do you think so many of us struggle to pray regularly?

Into the Bible
Read together John 15:1-17

• How does Jesus show his dependence on the Father? (See also John 5 v 19) What is
  surprising about this?
• What did we have to offer when we came to Christ the first time?
• Should this be any different now we are children of God? How should this affect how
  we pray?
• What does being Jesus’ friends mean? (v.15) How is this different from being a
  servant?
• What is the connection between “remaining in Jesus” and praying? Why is it
  tempting to try to be independent?
• Why did Jesus choose & appoint us? How does this connect to prayer?

Application

• How can we encourage one another to pray more in our homegroups – both:
• ‘big picture’ prayers from the Bible – e.g. Psalm 27:4 or Philippians 3:10-11 to become a reality in someone’s life – and
• praying for the nitty-gritty of one another’s lives – e.g. work, home, family, friends, illness
• Share any practical steps that have helped you pray more in your life: e.g.
• prayer lists/cards
• praying with other people – e.g. prayer partnerships/triplets
• use of the Bible in encouraging prayer
• choosing the right time of day to pray
• how to mingle praise, confessions, intercession

“Come overwhelmed with life. Come with a wandering mind. Come messy.”
- Paul Miller, A Praying Life. Colorado Springs: NavPress, 2009 (available on the church website – avenue.org.uk/resources/bookshop