BECOMING LIKE CHRIST
SESSION 11: “THE DISCIPLE’S PRAYER LIFE”
May 22, 2005
Beginning with this lesson, we start a new section in our Discipleship Program. We have just
completed the section on “Growing in the Knowledge of our Faith.” With this lesson, we start the
section, “Becoming Like Christ.” In this section, we will learn and hopefully practice, being
transformed in our character, to become more Christ-like.
As you proceed in this section, please remember that it is dependence on God that will transform our
lives, and not through our efforts alone. Our role is to be teachable, open, and being desirous of
becoming more Christ-like in our character.
I.
Developing a life of Prayer.
We were created for fellowship with God. Through prayer we can
communicate with our Heavenly Father and deepen our relationship with Him.
However, Satan my cause you to doubt the effectiveness of prayer. He may
whisper, “You don’t think God is really personally interested in you? He’s
far away and concerned about more important things. Surely you don’t think
God will hear your prayers – much less answer them!”
But with Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, you have the unique privilege
of speaking directly with your heavenly Father through Him. God wants you
to come confidently into his presence through Christ and to talk to him about
everything. Look up Philippians 4:6 and Hebrews 4:14-16. What do these
verses teach you about prayer and about what God is interested in?
A. What is Prayer?
For any relationship to become meaningful, there must be constant
communication. Prayer is the way we communicate with God. Prayer is a
conversation with God. It is the way we have an intimate conversation with
the Creator of the universe and the Redeemer of our lives who is excited about
spending time with us. Prayer represents the place of greatest safety where we
can pour out our hearts in an unedited fashion, much like we would to a dear
friend who accepts us as we are, warts and all.
God begins the conversation. The desire to pray is the result of His greater
desire to have a deep communication of love with us. When we feel the need
to pray it is because He’s been at work in us.
An opening prayer: Father, I am amazed again and again by Your initiative
love in calling me into a conversation of prayer. I’m so thankful. You knew
how much I needed to break the silence barrier; You understand my hurts and
hopes; You are sensitive to the fact that I need You more than my next breath.
I accept with awe and wonder Your offer to talk with me and allow me to open
my heart to You. I have no righteousness of my own to deserve this privilege,
but accept it only in the righteousness You purchased for me through Jesus
Christ, Your Son, and my Lord. With Him to guide me and Your Spirit within
to inspire me I will listen to You with rapt attention and respond with all my
mind, heart and will. I love You, Father. Amen.
o In Jeremiah 33:3, what does God ask us specifically to do?
o What will he do when we call on Him (Two Things)
o In Jeremiah 29:12, What is God’s response when we pray?
o What can we expect God to do when we call upon Him Psalm 91:15-16?
B. Prayer Is Not An Option
For the Disciple of Christ, prayer is not an option. In Matthew 6:5-8, three
times Jesus uses the words, “And when you pray.” Jesus said, “when you
pray” not if you pray, or if you feel like praying. The disciples were to pray.
How is your prayer life?
On a scale of 1 to 5 with one being poor and 5 being greatly
satisfying, where are you?
Poor
1
2
3
4
Greatly Satisfied
5
What steps can you take to move towards a 5?
C. Conditions and Hindrances to prayer
Often we may pray and become discouraged that God is not answering our
prayers. Effective praying can be hindered by improper conduct. What do
the following scriptures teach us about why some prayers are answered and
some are not?
 What condition for prayer is found in I John 5:14-15?
 What condition for prayer is found in Mark 11:22-25?
 What does James 1:6-7 say will keep us from receiving anything from the
Lord?
 How will God respond when we pray in Faith?
a. Matthew 21:22 b. Matthew 17:20 –
 What does Hebrews 11:6 say about faith?
 What reason for not receiving an answer to our prayers is found in James
4:3?
 If we have unconfessed sin in our lives, what does Psalm 66:18 say will
happen to our prayers?
D.
The Prayer Life of our Lord:
Jesus was a prayer warrior. He fasted and prayed for 40 days. He found
time for hours of solitude in the midst of a busy ministry schedule. He
sometimes prayed through the night while those around Him slept. When
Jesus prayed, people were changed, healed, released, made whole. When
He spoke to His Father, God answered. Such an impressive prayer resume
is a little intimidating. How can we possibly emulate our Savior in this
way?
But Jesus didn’t just pray about big stuff. There were the same kinds of
everyday prayers that we still lift up today. Did you know that Jesus
thanked the Father for His food, and blessed it before eating (Matthew
4:19). Anytime we pause in our days to whisper a few words to our
Father, we are being like Jesus.
 Where Did He Pray?
He prayed in solitude. Jesus often sought solitude so that he
could commune with His Father. Jesus chose secluded
places, the mountains, the desert, a garden were favorites.
He prayed in different postures. While posture is secondary
to attitude of spirit, it is instructive to not that at times Jesus
prayed when standing (Matthew 14:19; John 11:41). At
another time He knelt (Luke 22:41). On yet another occasion
He fell on His face (Matthew 26:39). We might ask: If Jesus
got down upon His knees and at times fell on His face before
God, what attitude should we assume as we enter into His
divine presence?
He prayed in secret. Much of His prayer life was concealed
even from those closest to Him. His own practice was
reflected in His command to His disciples, “But when you
pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your
Father, who is unseen.” Then you Father who sees what is
done in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6:6)
 When Did He Pray
 He prayed in the morning (Mark 1:35)
 He prayed in the evening (Mark 6:46)
 He prayed before a crisis (Luke 3:21-22)
 He prayed before a major decision (Luke 6:12-13)
 Great achievements were preceded by prayer: The feeding of
the four thousand (Matthew 15:36), The feeding of the five
thousand (John 6:11); walking on water (Matthew 12:23-33);
the raising of Lazarus (John 11:41-42);
 Great sorrows were faced with prayer (Matthew 26:36-46)
 He died praying (Luke 23:46)
 How Did He Pray? (See below, “Lord teach us to pray”)
E. The Desire of Jesus’ Disciples: “Lord teach us to pray”
(Luke 11:1)
Jesus had drawn His disciples apart for a quiet retreat, a rest from their
arduous ministry. He took advantage of the seclusion to pray. The disciples
were around Him, they watched Him as He prayed. They saw His rapt
devotion. The sensed the presence of God and were awed by it. When He
finished praying, one of the disciples asked, “Lord teach us to pray, just as
John taught his disciples.” (Luke 11:1) The disciples had seen His mighty
power and miracles but they did not ask for that power. They had heard His
matchless preaching, but they did not ask Him to teach them how to preach. It
was His prayer life, His communion with His Father, that they longed to
know. He responded at once to their request and proceeded to teach them
how to pray.
In teaching the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9, Jesus said, “This then, is how
you should pray.” Jesus was not saying pray using these words. Jesus was
teaching a pattern for prayer.
In the Lord’s Prayer there are a series of 6 petitions. The first 3 petitions deal
with things that are of concern to God.
The first petition shows us that God wants us to have a concern for His Name.
The prayer says, “Hallowed be Thy Name.” To hallow God’s name means
that His name is to be revered and honored.
The second petition teaches us to have a concern for God’s Kingdom. Jesus
said, “Thy Kingdom Come.” We are to pray for the expansion of God’s
Kingdom in heaven and on earth.
The third petition teaches us to have a concern for God’s Will. Jesus said,
“They Will be done.” We are to pray that God’s Will, His purposes be
accomplished on earth.
As we first take care of the concerns that are closed to God’s heart , then we
can pray about the things that are close to our hearts. The last 3 petitions teach
us to have a dependent spirit.
The fourth petition teaches us to have Dependence on God’s Supply. “Give us
this day our daily bread.” We can ask God to meet our daily needs for food,
shelter, clothing, etc.
The fifth petition teaches us to have a Dependence on God’s Mercy. “Forgive
us our debts.” Unconfessed sin can be a hindrance to answered prayer.
The final petition teaches us to have a Dependence on God’s Power. “And
lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.” This petition
asks God for the power to keep us from temptation and protect us from the
enemy, Satan.
 In what way can this pattern of praying help you?
II. Integrating Knowledge Into Life
A. Prayer should be an important part of your DAILY QUIET TIME. An
exciting time for every Christian is the time he/she takes to meet personally
with God. Sometimes this is called a Quiet time. It is a time that you
constantly set aside just to talk with God in prayer and let Him talk to you
through His Word.
o How important was this special time in the life of Jesus (Mark 1:35)?
o David was called a man after God’s own heart. What was his daily
practice? (Psalm 5:3
o What is your best time for meeting daily with the Lord?
How to Pray: Four Important Areas of Prayer
The ACTS method of praying:
Adoration
Reflecting upon God himself. Praise him for his
Character. His love, power, majesty, holiness,
righteousness, etc, and for His wonderful gift of Christ.
Confession
Admitting your sins to God. Be honest and humble.
Remember He knows you and still loves you. I John
1:9 says that “if we confess our sins to God He is
faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness.”
Thanksgiving Tell God how grateful you are for everything He has
given you – even the unpleasant things.
Supplication Making Specific prayer request both for you and for
others.
List four specific things you can pray about today. Pause right now and talk to
God about them.
Adoration
____________________________________
____________________________________
Confession
____________________________________
____________________________________
Thanksgiving __________________________________
_________________________________
Supplication ____________________________________
____________________________________
B. Making a Prayer List
Have you been using a prayer list? A list can help you remember things you
might otherwise forget to pray about. It can include:
 Your Family
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

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Your non-Christian friends and acquaintances
Your Church family
Missionaries and Christian workers
Governmental authorities
Your personal needs.
What did Paul desire for those who didn’t know Christ? Romans 10:1
According to I Timothy 2:1-4, What groups of people should you pray for?
Why?
What does the Lord desire you pray for? Matthew 9:37-38
How often should we pray?
Memory Verse: I Thessalonians 5:17
“Pray continually.”