Week 6 - PRAY IT
CONNECT
What are you thankful for?
What challenge are you facing?
How has God been answering our prayers for you from last week?
How can we pray for you this week?
Pray for each other.
Did anything stand out to you from last week’s follow-up Bible readings?
How did your “I will …” statement from last week go?
How did your sharing goal from last week go?
How’s your memory work coming along?
Acts 4:31 (NIV)
After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
DISCOVER
Let’s start with a review.
NEED IT
As we partner with Jesus in mission to those around us, we need the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
BELIEVE IT
Just as Jesus ministered through the Person and power of the Holy Spirit, so can we.
SEEK IT
Because we continually need the filling of the Holy Spirit, let’s continually seek it.
TRY IT
As you are led by the Holy Spirit, act on these leadings from the Holy Spirit.
USE IT
Use your spiritual gift(s) for the blessing of others and the glory of God.
And now …
PRAY IT
Pray for others in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Ask God to speak to you as you read His Word.
Acts 28:1-10 (NLT)
1 Once we were safe on shore, we learned that we were on the island of Malta. 2 The people of the island were very kind to us. It was cold and rainy, so they built a fire on the shore to welcome us.
3 As Paul gathered an armful of sticks and was laying them on the fire, a poisonous snake, driven out by the heat, bit him on the hand. 4 The people of the island saw it hanging from his hand and said to each other, “A murderer, no doubt! Though he escaped the sea, justice will not permit him to live.” 5 But Paul shook off the snake into the fire and was unharmed. 6 The people waited for him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw that he wasn’t harmed, they changed their minds and decided he was a god.
7 Near the shore where we landed was an estate belonging to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us and treated us kindly for three days. 8 As it happened, Publius’s father was ill with fever and dysentery. Paul went in and prayed for him, and laying his hands on him, he healed him. 9Then all the other sick people on the island came and were healed. 10 As a result we were showered with honors, and when the time came to sail, people supplied us with everything we would need for the trip.
Read the passage again (perhaps in another version).
Have someone retell the passage in their own words.
What stands out to you in the passage?
Do you have any questions about the passage?
What does the passage say about God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit)?
What does the passage say about people, including ourselves?
What does the passage say about the life God is calling us to live?
5 STEP PRAYER MODEL
Here’s a simple model to follow when praying for someone. This is only a model and not a magic formula.
1. ASK
Ask, “How can I pray for you?” or “What would you like Jesus to do for you?” Listen well and it may be helpful to reflect back their request. “So you’re asking for …?”
2. INVITE
“Come, Holy Spirit, Come!”
Invite the Holy Spirit to come and reveal God’s presence and love. Let the person know that you’ll pause for a moment to just be still. This gives space and time for them to experience God’s presence and love and for you to listen for direction from the Spirit. Be okay with a bit of silence. Your comfort will make them comfortable.
3. PRAY
Pray for what the person has requested and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. If appropriate, lay hands on them. It’s helpful to keep your eyes open—not to stare, of course, but to stay attentive to how the person may be encountering the Lord. This allows you to join in with what the Lord is doing in the moment.
Keep your prayer short and simple—“Jesus-length” prayers. And don’t preach through your prayer; just pray. The prayers that Jesus and the early church prayed were usually quite short and direct. In fact, in many ways, they were more declarations, even commands, than prayers, such as, “In Jesus’ name, medical condition be healed” or “In Jesus’ name, demon come out.” Jesus has authorized us to use His name boldly and compassionately for His Kingdom.
Pray something like this: “Lord, thank You for Your loving presence and Your healing power. I pray that You would heal _____’s knee. Knee be healed in Jesus’ name, Amen.”
4. CHECK
Ask, “What’s happening?” or “What’s God doing?” For example, if the person asked for prayer for their knee, you could ask them how it’s feeling or how the level of pain is now or if they can do something they couldn’t do before. If the person asked for prayer for wisdom in some life decision, you could ask if they are getting any thoughts that may be helpful. If the person asked for a breakthrough in some relationship, you could ask if they are getting any ideas on how to seek reconciliation. If the person asked for help in overcoming some trauma or addiction, you could ask if they are experiencing any new hope.
After checking, you may want to return to prayer, thanking the Lord for what He is doing and asking Him to continue to do more.
5. NEXT?
Ask, “What’s next?” What about getting together again to pray? Does the person know Jesus? How could you introduce them to Jesus? Could you invite the person out for coffee? How about inviting them to church? How can you use this prayer encounter as an opportunity to develop a deeper relationship with them and possible discipleship to Jesus?
What do you like about this prayer model?
What challenges you about this prayer model?
What would you add to this prayer model?
Who needs prayer right now? Use the 5 Step Prayer Model to pray for them.
You’re encouraged to go out as a group to pray for people. A good way to approach people is to simply say, “We’re out praying for people. Can we pray for you?” or even more directly, “How can we pray for you?” And then use the 5 Step Prayer Model if they allow you to pray.
Where and when will your group go out and pray for people?
And finally, ask Your 3 how you can be praying for them. Once again, use the 5 Step Prayer Model.
Who in particular can you ask “How can I pray for you?” this coming week?
LIVE
What truth is God highlighting for you from the passages?
What would keep you from believing or obeying this truth?
What blessing would you experience if you believed and obeyed this truth?
How will you live out this truth this week? (“I will…”)
Who needs to hear this truth? How will you share it?
Who will facilitate next time?
Pray for God’s help as you seek to follow Jesus this week.
FOLLOW-UP BIBLE READINGS
Here are the Bible passages you are encouraged to read this coming week, along with a video to watch:
The Already but Not Yet
BUDDY SYSTEM
Connect with your buddy this week and ask each other these questions:
How are your readings going?
How’s your “I will …” statement coming along?
How’s your sharing goal coming along?
How can I pray for you?