I'LL PRAY ABOUT IT -- Interceding

Icebreaker:

What is the best thing anyone (not Jesus) has ever done for you?

How do you like to show your concern for someone?

Prayer:

During this series on prayer, determine to spend more time in personal prayer each day. As a group, pray before your discussion. Start a prayer log to record requests and answers. Check the church’s weekly email blast for needs to add to your log.

Overview:

Social media has changed the way we communicate with others. Remember when on your birthday you would receive a few birthday cards in the mail instead of 100 posts on your Facebook page? It is nice to know so many people thought of us on our special day. Social media is also an effective way of inviting hundreds of people to pray for a need just when the prayer is most needed. When a friend says, either on social media or in person, “I am praying for you,” it touches our heart. Our prayer joins with the prayers of others to petition God concerning a single need. There is mighty power in the combined prayers of God’s people.

Discussion:

Review theme scripture from Matthew 6:5-15.

Read 1 Timothy 2:1-8.

Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.  Romans 8:34 ESV

What kinds of prayers are we expected to pray as believers?

For whom are we to pray?

Why should we pray for people we don’t even know?

How is our life improved by intercessory prayer?

Who are we imitating when we pray for others?

What should our attitude be toward prayer?

Why do we resist praying for others?

Activity:

Write a list of three people who need intercessory prayer. Commit to pray for those people this week. Put a reminder on your phone. Place a sticky note on your bathroom mirror. Lift three people up in prayer before the Father without fail.