Review:  With only two Sundays remaining in this study, take a moment to consider what 1 or 2 takeaways God has been impressing upon you? How has He been calling you to respond? 

Take a moment in prayer, welcoming the Spirit's presence. Then go back and read Matthew 7:7-11.  This is a pretty short passage, so maybe read it twice! Any particular word or phrase stand out as significant to you?  Why?

Jesus says we are to "ask, seek, and knock" in prayer, but Ralph pointed out that the original Greek really says something more like, "Ask and keep on asking, seek and keep on seeking, knock and keep on knocking…." How does this change the way you think about prayer?

This set of questions is going to require some honest soul-searching:  What kind of "baggage" do you bring to your prayer life?  Is prayer difficult for you?  Why?  Have you been disappointed or frustrated with prayer?  Or have you been more fearful and anxious in approaching God?  Has this always been the case for you, or did you have a painful experience that left you cautious and wary?

Is it easy or hard for you to lean into God as a truly good Father?  Do you believe that God loves giving good gifts to His children – that He loves giving good gifts to you?

Ralph mentioned a book by J.B. Phillips called Your God is Too Small.  Why is it so hard sometimes for us to believe God is as good, as loving, as forgiving, as patient with us as Jesus says He is?

God's desire is to mature us in faith.  Exercising our souls in prayer is one of the most important ways we grow into this maturity.  Read Ephesians 4:13-15 and Hebrews 5:11-14.  How do these passages challenge us to maturity in faith, and how can prayer help move us into that maturity?

With all this in mind, what is it that you would like to ask of your Father in Heaven? He invites us to do so. Take time right now and this week, to practice talking to God as the good and loving Father He truly is. Pay attention to how your prayers change as you adjust your understanding of the God – the Father – to whom you are praying.