After you have read the introduction to Ten Prayers God Always Says Yes To, jot down your thoughts and questions. Respond to these next questions, too, and bring everything to the next Group meeting. Be ready to…
Talk About This:
* What do you hope to get out of this study?
* What have been your past prayer experiences? Think of some that were positive. Think of some that were negative. How did you react to these?
In the Introduction to Ten Prayers God Always Says Yes To, Anthony DeStefano says that every request we make of God is “evaluated by him in light of a long-term goal: What direction, spiritually, are we going to go in if he says yes? What will it mean for our soul, over the long haul, if he says no?”
* So, if every prayer is evaluated by God in the light of your journey toward heaven, might that give you a different perspective on some past prayers that God has said no to? Might it give you more faith for future prayers?
Action!
This is the time to share your needs and let the Group help you pray, especially about any spiritual matters that may have been touched on by the study. Often, when just one person opens up to honest doubts or problems, everybody opens up! Then you can truly share and pray for one another.
When you do, God will answer.
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Closing Prayer
God give us hearing ears and open hearts so we can understand your ways and better communicate with you. Help us to listen! Help us to learn. Help us to practice what you preach, so there will be no prayer-barriers between us. Build our faith and give us boldness to come to you, confident of your love.
Bless us and bind us together as we study and practice and pray. Help us to be diligent and determined! We ask for the presence of your Holy Spirit in our midst.
In Jesus' name. Amen
Chapter 1: God, Show Me that You Exist
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you… Matthew 7:7.
God always welcomes honest doubters who cry out for a little revelation! And He is always happy to oblige. Even if we already know that God exists and promises to be there for us, there are times when we don't feel His presence or see Him moving in our lives. Then even strong believers pound on his door and cry out, “God, where are you? Where did you go?” They, too, need fresh moments of faith in God's reality, reminders that He not only exists, but that He is aware and listening. So let's…
Talk About This:
* Do you need God to show you that He exists? Or that He knows and cares about you? Are you willing to pray right now for a new revelation of His presence?
* What do you think might happen if you do? What do you think it might change in your life when He answers that prayer?
* In thinking it over, can you see ways in the past in which God may have tried to show you that He is there? That He is paying attention and working in your life? Can you remember times of special blessing? Rescue from harm? Unexpected provision?
Anthony says: “…believing in God is not some phase you go through. It's not a hobby you lose interest in or a love affair that stops being passionate. True faith is a constant progression.”
* How does knowing that God really exists keep us progressing in faith even when the life's road gets rocky?
Action!
Time to pray for one another. You can break into smaller groups for this, so that everyone has a chance to pray and to be prayed for. And no matter how long you've been on your spiritual journey, this is the time to pray, “God, show me that you exist.” Then in the days that follow, watch for his response. Then share it with everyone!
There's lots more action, too. Remember to pray the prayer: “God show me that you exist” every day through this week. Then watch! And keep watching! You may receive an immediate answer, or you may have to be patient, but it will happen. When it does, be sure you include it in your notes in the Guide, so everyone can rejoice with you and give praise to God.
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Closing Prayer
Father in heaven, we all need a fresh reminder of your presence, a fresh contact with Home. Help us never to lose sight of your fingerprints on our lives; of the times you have aided us, provided for us, protected us. Give us grateful, thankful hearts. As we recite the past outpouring of your grace, let our faith for the present and the future burn red-hot. That's what we need, Lord, fresh fire! We declare our need for you, and with all our hearts we request the pleasure of your company.
In Jesus' name. Amen
One Last Word: Be sure to read Chapter 2 before the next Group meeting. Be ready to share any notes you make and the answers to the Talk About This questions. And the answers to that special prayer you're going to pray this week!
Helps for Group Leaders or Hosts
Leading or hosting a Study Group doesn't require that you be a teacher. Your job is to be willing to lead out first, if necessary, at discussion time, and keep the ball rolling. Start out each session by having coffee or cold drinks available just before “official” starting time. People talk easily while they're standing around the table or crowded into the kitchen. It's one of those strange facts of life. By the way, you don't have to provide all the refreshments; people can take turns doing that. Put someone in charge of the “Refreshment Schedule.” It will take a load off of you.
If you are working with a new group, make the first session a time to get acquainted: A three minute only biography from each member, for instance. Leave time for refreshments and conversation at the end. It will help with group interaction as you go along.
If people are shy about sharing, don't hesitate to actually call on them after they've been in a meeting or two and are feeling more comfortable with the group. Just ask them for comments they may have jotted down as they've read their chapter in Ten Questions, or to share what they've written in their Study Guide: Something like, “Mary, what did you think about that second question?” should get shy Mary started. Don't expect too much at first, and when she begins to run down, get right on to someone else so she won't be embarrassed.
On the other hand, if you have one or two folks who tend to dominate things, tell them you recognize that they have a lot to contribute, but ask them privately to help you encourage the ones who are just getting started by praying shorter prayers, for instance. Of course they may pray more than once, but just a few sentences each time will help keep the flow going. You may have to remind them more than once, too! All you need is a little tact.
At the end of each session, try to leave time for prayer requests, and then let the Group pray about them. When no more seems forthcoming, you can pray the Closing Prayer at the end of each session in the Study Guide. You can add to it whatever is on your heart. Be sure to include the special prayer you are studying each week.
Really, that's just about all there is to it. You never need to feel intimidated, because you're all learning and praying together. Just relax, learn, and enjoy yourself.
