When You Pray--Lesson 8--What Did Paul Pray For?

Discussion Questions:

1. What does it mean that we must see prayer as transformational and not just utilitarian?

What types of things do you pray that seek transformation?

2. What does the change in the apostle’s prayer concerns from the Gospel to Acts teach you

about your own prayer life? How have you seen maturity produced by the things you pray

about?

3. If we kept track of the percentages of what we pray about, what areas need more

emphasis in our corporate prayer life? How does avoiding praying about these things

hinder opportunities and bring stagnation?

4. Why does Paul place such a strong emphasis on knowledge of God’s will? How should

this play out into our actions? What helps you to be filled with the knowledge of God?

5. What areas of character development could use more prayer in your life? Why are prayer

and patience important ingredients for our maturation in the LORD?

When You Pray--Lesson 7--Reasons for Confidence

Discussion Questions:

1. What are the dangers of not having confidence in prayer? What kind of prayer crosses the

line from confident to arrogant or presumptuous?

2. How did Peter know the lame man would be healed or Dorcas would raise from the dead?

What is the difference for us today?

3. How does knowing you have eternal life help you to have more confidence in your prayer

life? What kinds of things make you doubt your eternal situation? How does this lack of

confidence turn you to introspection?

4. How have you seen God answer your prayers in the 4 different ways mentioned in the

sermon (Yes, No, Delay, Offer something different)? How can John assert with confidence

that God hears us and we have what we request when His answers can be no, wait, or

offer us something different?

5. How often do you pray using Scripture to guide you or to set your agenda? What makes

this a powerful way to guide you?

When You Pray--Lesson 6--Prayers of Confession

Discussion Questions:

1. What makes confession of sin a difficult thing to do?

2. What struggle with deceit do you have? How much of it begins with covering up what you

know is not right in your own life?

3. Describe the battle you experience when you feel limitations placed upon your desires?

How does one reach a place of overcoming this?

4. Why did catching so many fish shake Peter up the way it did? What experiences have you

had with being moved this way by Jesus’ activity in your life?

5. What does it mean to confess your future? How does this help you to overcome the battle

your flesh still wages against righteousness and holy living?