Pray First: ASK Boldly, Humbly, Persistently (Week 4)

Speaker: Jason Render

Worship: Listen to “This is the Kingdom by Elevation Worship” during group worship or your personal devotional time. As you reflect on the lyrics, we are reminded that we can ask and that God does hear us, we will be filled, and we can find healing if we ask. Will we choose to pray first and ask God instead of following our own way?

Check-In: Share if you have applied these practical ways during pray in your devotional time, how have you used it and what God is doing in these areas of your life.

• Pray for blessing. Prosperity: Having more than I need so I can make an eternal difference in the lives of others.(Genesis 12:2)
• Pray for influence. Ministry: Living out my faith for the benefit of others. (Acts 2:17)
• Pray for presence. Anointing: Living my life with God’s power so I can live a supernatural life. (2 Corinthians 3:5-6)
• Pray for protection. Spiritual Warfare: Confronting the enemy with the authority of God’s Name, the truth of the Word, and the power of the Cross. (Luke 10:19)

Bible Readings: Luke 11:1-13 (NLT); Luke 18:1-7 (NLT); James 4:2-3 (NLT); Psalm 37:4 (NLT); 1 John 5:14-15 (NLT); Jeremiah 29:12-13 (NIV); Mark 10:52; Mark 8:22–25; 2 Corinthians 12:8-9; Hebrews 4:16 (NLT).

Preparation and Discussion for Group Time:
Ps Jason encouraged us to BOLDLY and PERSISTENTLY ASK God, to Pray First. This is a journey for everyone. Persevere in getting to know God and growing secure in His love. Why is this important, what difference does Jesus make in our lives? Praying bold prayers persistently will affect HOW and WHAT we ask for, He has removed the veil of shame, so that we can approach Him with confidence.

1. The Father’s Heart. Luke 11:11-13 (NLT), Jesus reveals the heart of God the Father, He is not selfish, begrudging, or stingy; his followers don’t have to beg or grovel when they come with their requests. He is a loving Father who understands, cares, comforts, and willingly gives the Holy Spirit to those who ask him. If we hold onto this truth, it empowers us to pray bold prayers, knowing that He has our best interests at heart. What does praying a ‘bold prayer’ look like for you? Have you prayed a prayer like this before?
2. Our Hearts. James 4:2-3 (NLT). Asking has a lot to do with our hearts and motives.
   • ASK – if our earthly father/mother gives us good gifts, then how much more would our Heavenly Father give us what we need? What stops you from bringing your own needs before God?
   • SEEK – Jeremiah 29:12-13 (NIV). What do you need to surrender in your life to seek God with all your heart?
   • KNOCK – what “doors” are you currently asking God to open? Or have you stopped asking or don’t want to ask because you are unsure of the answer and how this will play out in your life?
3. Our PERCEPTION of God will determine how we PERSEVERE in prayer. Hebrews 4:16 (NLT) Ps Jason shared this quote by John Mark Comer: “The primary emotional word used for God in both the Old and New Testaments is “compassionate.” In Hebrew, it’s referring to the feeling that a father or mother has toward their infant child. That is God’s baseline emotional disposition toward you — compassion, delight, tender care. He’s, our father.”
   Share with the group your view/perception of God, is it based on your relationship with your earthly Father or has your view changed since accepting Christ as your Saviour?

Check out and Prayer:
Take time to commit to God the prayer habits that you have put into practice over the past 4 weeks.
Pair up and pray for one another, use this connection to check in with one another in the coming weeks how it is going with your daily prayer time.

Love God:
For personal study check out the PRAY FIRST resources on the website. You can download the PDF. Take time to invest in your own discipleship journey to grow deeper in your love for God and others.

Love People:

• For upcoming next steps in your discipleship journey; like Baptism or serving. Sign up online at Church Center/ the website.
• Download an Easter Invite from the website to invite those you are praying for!