Youth April 18th - Prayer – What to do when prayers aren't answered
Aim - Explore how we respond when are prayers don't seem to be answered, checking our
prayers are in line with the word, and practical steps for standing in faith, ultimately trusting in God
and being content whatever the circumstances.
Drinks, Biscuits and chat
Brainteaser Challenge
Each given wooden puzzle to try and solve – ask what they feel like when they cant do something,
or something seems impossible? (determined to complete it, frustrated, want to give up)
Bible study/Discussion
Read Acts ch 27 up to verse 20 - so what is happening to Paul? What would you be feeling in his
situation? What would you be doing?
Paul has been stuck on this ship for days in immense danger, presumably crying out to God to
save him – many of us would have lost all hope of God answering and would be preparing to die.
Now we dont really face shipwrecks and danger in the same way everyday, but we do have
difficulties and things which we are asking God for which seem to go unanswered – it can be really
hard not to give up and just accept things as they are.
But what did paul do?
Read v 21 – 26 and pick out key things which paul did
Hears from God – sailors running around trying to do everything they could but Paul seeks God.
what does God say about our situation?
Choose to believe God – Paul wasnt denying that there was a terrible storm raging but he knew
what God had said about it, and he was trusting God for it to happen. We need to choose to
believe what God has said is true and trust him that it is going to happen.
Cheers up – Paul encouraged everyone that it was going to be ok. With God we have so many
promises that we can hang on (we are forgiven, he is with us, he does love us, we are overcomers
and have the power that raised Jesus from the dead in us) when we think about all of this whatever
the situation we are facing we have reason to be happy.
Doesnt fear – Paul says take courage – I.e. dont be afraid. God is bigger than anything we face.
Fear comes from the devil and we dont have to have it.
Read v 27 – 44 what else does Paul do?
Acted like nothing was wrong – sailors are too scared and busy to eat, but Paul gets on with
eating and encourages the others to do so. When we are waiting for a breakthrough we need to
get on with living life to the full.
Thanked God – in the middle of the storm there is Paul thanking God – we need to do the same,
praising God through all circumstances, when we praise we focus on God and how big he is and it
helps us to realise how little our problems are and boosts our faith
Pauls story can really help us and give us some practical steps on what we should do when
we arent seeing our prayers answered.
Before going on to the response, discuss why our prayers may not be answered straight away.
(checking it is in line with the will of God, sometimes we have to battle to receive it, sometimes
things are answered in the spiritual but take time to see them happen (daniel), sometimes you
need to stand with other people (2-3 standing together), sometimes it can be due to sin in our lives
(unforgiveness), sometimes unbelief and doubt counters our faith).
Response
What things are you struggling with or not seeing answers to? What do you need to do differently
in your approach to this? Pray for each other. (Pens and card)
Games – binball or something outside?
Youth next week?