Prayer

reflection and discussion questions:

For those sharing in a Life Group, you're going to want to give this some thought before your group meets!

Review: Last week we discussed the celebration of Epiphany, the annual holiday (January 6th) that emphasizes the coming of the Wisemen from the East to see Jesus (Matthew 2:1-12). We were encouraged to pray for a Christlike heart toward others and for opportunities to bear witness. How did that go? How can we celebrate Epiphany?
For a little change of pace this week, since we had our prayer service this past Sunday, we thought it would be a good idea to spend time in our groups this week actually praying for one another. (If you're not in a Life Group right now, why not get together with someone over coffee or a meal, or even just over the phone, and pray for one another?)
READ Philippians 4:4-7.
TAKE A FEW MOMENTS AND BEGIN with praise and thanksgiving. This means more than just saying, "I praise You, Lord. I love and adore you." Praise is "the naming of attributes, character, and/or actions of the one being praised" (Marva Dawn). So when we give thanks and praise, let's say why we're praising Him! What has He done, what has He said to us or shown us about His character? What specifically are we praising Him for?
PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER–One by one, go around the room and share a need that you currently have, or for something you would like God to do in your life over the coming year. It would be a good idea to pray for each person right after they share. This may take a while and that's okay, just try to be simple, honest, and specific in both your requests and in your prayers! In all your requests, try to be as specific as you can. If God were to answer your prayer in the days and weeks ahead, how would you know? Would you see healing, or the completion of a task, or a restored relationship, or __________?