Prayer & Fasting (Part 2): Talking

TO START

In part two of our Prayer and Fasting series, we discussed what talking to God looks like when it comes to the difficulties & hardships of life. This week’s message unpacked what to know and do when we are at a loss for words on what to pray and how to pray for the most difficult realities of life. 

Corrie Ten Boom, who helped countless Dutch Jews escape the horrors of the Hollocost, would regularly ask, “Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?” 

  • How would you answer the question above from Corrie Ten Boom?  Do you regularly pray as you navigate life or do you occasionally engage in prayer when you feel it’s needed?

Read Romans 8:26-27 

  • When it comes to prayer, what situation, relationship, or current events have you found yourself at a loss for words to pray about in your day to day life? What are the major obstacles that prevent you from praying about it? 

  • What activity (if any) have you been told the Holy Spirit does in the world? 

In this portion of the Bible, the writer gives us some comforting & reassuring words about the activity of God in the midst of our prayers. We’re told the Empowering Presence of God intercedes for us when our words seem to fail us. In addition to that reality, we are told one of God’s titles is the Searcher of Hearts. 

  • If you believe in the reality that the Spirit takes our dissatisfactions, questions, and worries and presents/orients them toward the desires of God, what comfort & challenges does that put forward for you to consider when talking to God? 

  • Do you find yourself being honest in lifting your head and heart to God when praying? Are there any settings or people you pray with where you tend to be less honest in your prayers? 

Close 

Consider closing your time together by practicing this week’s prayer exercise. In silence together, ask your group to answer these three questions one by one to God in prayer. To signal to God you’ve shared what’s on your mind and heart for that question, and to provide space for the Spirit to intercede, simply take a deep breath in and out after answering & waiting for the next question. 

Provide space in between each of these questions for your group members to lift up their mind and hearts silently before God: (a) What’s been on your mind this week? (b) Who has been on your heart this week? (c) Where are people hurting right now in the world? 

Close out your time with prayer thanking God that the Spirit intercedes on our behalf with whatever words we couldn’t find or share with God. 

Matt DeLano