1. What do you think are the main reasons why Christians don’t pray? List the biggest barriers to consistent prayer in your life.

2. Read the following passages and explain what each passage tells us about Jesus’ prayer life. Matt. 26:39; Mark 1:35; Luke 6:12-13; Luke 9:18,28; Luke 11:1; Jn. 6:10-11; Jn. 11:38-41

3. In Ephesians 6, Paul connects prayer to spiritual warfare. What is the connection between the two? What does this connection tell us about the kinds of things we should be praying for?

Group Questions…

“the Christian’s struggle against otherworldly forces”

(Millard Erickson)

Spiritual Warfare

We must to be diligent readers of our Bibles. The Word is the sword of the Spirit. We shall never

fight a good fight, if we do not use it as our principal weapon. The Word is the lamp for our feet. We shall never keep the king’s highway to

heaven, if we do not journey by its light. There is not enough Bible-reading among us. It is not

sufficient to have the Book. We must actually read it, and pray over it ourselves. It will do us no good,

if it only lies still in our houses…

JC Ryle

…We must be actually familiar with its contents, and have its texts stored in our memories and minds. Knowledge of the Bible never comes by

intuition. It can only be obtained by diligent, regular, daily, attentive, wakeful reading.

JC Ryle

Prayer is communication with the commander-in-chief during the battle. Our

awareness of the battle heightens our sense of need to stay in constant touch with our superior officer, who can resupply us and

provide us with our orders.

Clinton Arnold

Having absolute confidence in the saving, keeping power of God’s sovereign grace, knowing that He will secure you until the end.

Putting on the Helmet of Salvation

Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you…

First Samuel 12:23

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.

2nd Corinthians 10:3-4

1. Entice us with sin & then accuse us2. Bring to mind doubts3. Distract our attention from God4. Lure us into complacency5. Keep us busy6. Boost our pride & self-sufficiency

Satan’s Strategies…

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.

James 5:16-18

I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.

John 17:15

"Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers."

Luke 22:31-32

The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

Hebrews 7:23-25

Though many foes beset you round,And feeble is your arm,Your life is hid with Christ in GodBeyond the realm of harm.

Weak as you are you shall not fade,Or fainting shall not die;Jesus the strength of every saintWill aid you from on high.

John Newton

Though unperceived by mortal sense,Faith sees Him always near,A guide, a glory, a defense,What have you to fear?

As surely as He overcame,And triumphed once for you,So surely you that love His nameShall in Him triumph too.

John Newton