PRAY: Spend two minutes in silent prayer. After two minutes, have someone pray for your time together as a group.

READ: 1John 5:13-15, James 5:13-18, Philippians 4:4-7. Invite different group members to read the passage out loud, two or three times. Each time, use a different Bible translation to allow for the Spirit to highlight key points through different wordings and sentence structures.

Q1 – How would you describe your prayer life currently? Share what you do well and what you struggle with. What practices could help you cultivate a deeper and more consistent life of prayer?

Q2 – We must know the promises of the Scriptures attached to prayer in order to experience the fullness of God. What explicit promises are in the Scriptures regarding prayer and how do you integrate them into your prayer life?

Q3 – The promise of Christ in the midst of life’s struggles and suffering is that He is with us and we will make it. How have you experienced His presence and faithfulness in your own life, particularly during difficult seasons?

Q4 – Most of our lives are self-absorbed instead of others-focused. Where is God inviting you to become more attentive to the needs and pain of the people around you? What feelings or resistance come up when you think about getting closer to someone else’s pain?

Q5 – Who has God placed on your heart to pray for consistently? What are you asking Him to do in their life—bring healing, restoration, salvation, or something else? Who could you invite to join you in praying and contending for them?

Each week, we will include Scripture readings that are meant to help you reflect more deeply throughout the week, personally, or in your group.

●     Matthew 6:5-13 → How to pray.

●     Luke 11:1-13 → Why to keep praying.

●     John 15:1-11 → Where prayer starts.

●     Philippians 4:6-7 → What prayer does in us.

●     James 5:13-18 → What God does through prayer.

Take time to sit with the Scriptures, return to them daily, and let them shape your prayers, questions, and conversations this week.

CHALLENGE - Contend in Prayer

Prayer is not simply something we talk about–it is something we practice. This challenge is designedto move us from discussing prayer to experiencing it by consistently seekingGod, standing on His promises, and intentionally interceding for others. As wepray, we want to become more aware of God’s presence, more confident in His faithfulness, and more willing to carry the burdens of those around us.

■ Set aside 10–15 minutes each day specifically for prayer.

■ Pray one Scripture promise over your own life or circumstances.

■ Pray for one person God has placed on your heart, specifically naming what they are asking God to do.

■ Spend a moment listening—asking, “Lord, who are You putting on my heart?”

■ Invite one other person to pray with you for that person sometime during the week.

Please click HERE to access the ACC Resource Library for these resources on Prayer:

○ God on Mute by Pete Grieg

○ Prayer by Richard Foster

○ Hearing God by Dallas Willard

○ Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools by Tyler Staton

○ Practicing the Way: Prayer. A four-week course to help you learn to set aside dedicated time to intentionally be with God, in order to become like Him and partner with Him in the world. Click HERE to access.