Prayer Pt. 2- Prayer Takes Practice // January 12th, 2025

Teaching overview

This week’s teaching, Riley talked about the habits that shape us as people. How we spend our time, money, energy and the decisions we make; shapes us into who we are.  How are we being shaped into a follower or a disciple of Christ? What practices are move us into a closer relationship with Christ? 

Our prayer for your Community

This week, seek the Lord and ask him to help you take inventory of our lives and what we send out time & energy on.  Ask the Lord to show where we can deepen our reliance and relationship on our Lord. May we commit to this journey of authentic prayer, growing deeper in faith and connection with You throughout this year and beyond.

Group questions

1. How is God speaking to you through this passage or idea? (Seek)

2. In what specific ways can you follow Jesus into deeper faith in light of this passage? (Practice)

3. How can we as a group support you in living out what we’ve discussed this week? (Mission)

For further meditation…

Take time this week to put into prayer practice of Scripture Meditation (Lectio Divina):

1. Steps:

   1. Read: Choose a short passage from the Bible (e.g., Psalm 23, Matthew 6:9-13). Read it slowly and attentively.

   2. Reflect: Consider what the passage means and what God is saying to you. Focus on any words or phrases that resonate.

   3. Pray: Respond to God with a prayer, asking for wisdom to apply the Scripture to your life.

   4. Rest: Sit quietly in God’s presence, allowing His Word to dwell in your heart without striving or overthinking.

   Practical Habit: Practice this for 10–15 minutes, starting a couple times a week. Best done in the morning, to set the tone for your day. As times allow, or as you build this habit, make this meditation a daily practice.