Week of June 1, 2025
Why Pray?
There are numerous reasons why Christians may find little motivation to pray. But perhaps at the heart of it is the belief that even if God is listening, why bother praying if God is going to do whatever he thinks best anyway? Against such sentiment is the clear Biblical teaching that prayer matters, that God responds to our prayers, and that prayer is our part in a cosmic battle which can open the way for God’s power to be unleashed against the forces of Satan.
Monday | 1 Samuel 1:1-20
What was Hannah’s situation that led to her anguished prayers? What do we know to be God’s overall desire about having children (see Genesis 1:28, Psalm 127:3-5)? Why then might God have “closed her womb”? Do you believe that Hannah’s persistent, desperate prayers mattered in Samuel’s ultimate birth? Why or why not? Respond to theologian John Peckham’s view that our prayers can open up for God avenues of action that would not otherwise be available to him in the current state of spiritual warfare in our sinful world. To what degree do you believe that our prayers matter?
Tuesday | Ephesians 6:10-12, 18-20
A week ago, we considered this Scripture passage in which the Apostle Paul speaks of spiritual warfare and our putting on the armor of God to withstand the powers of darkness. Let’s consider it again today, this time from the perspective of prayer. What does prayer have to do with remaining strong in the Lord (v. 10)? How will our staying alert (v. 18) inform and direct our praying? What specifically were Paul’s readers to be praying for (vs. 19-20)? In what ways would their prayers have mattered in the spiritual battles facing Paul?
Wednesday | Mark 9:14-29
This is a fascinating story of Jesus’ disciples being unable to cast out a demon, which Jesus then does with his divine power. A lack of faith seems to be involved here (v.19), but the necessary (and missing) ingredient was that Jesus’ disciples needed to have prayed (v.29). Why might they (and often we) have neglected to pray? One scholar comments, “Jesus reminds them that they have no power on their own; it is only by faith through prayer that they can tap the infinite power of God.” How have you seen prayer tap into the power of God? How do you need to be praying as you fight battles against sin and Satan in your own life?
Thursday | 5:13-18
James urges his readers to pray because “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” What specifically are we to be praying for? When have you seen prayer lead to healing and restoration? When did it seem like your prayers accomplished little or nothing? How do we respond to such “unanswered prayer”? What examples from the Bible, like that of Elijah, would lead us to have a bold and persevering prayer practice?
Friday | Luke 18:1-8
What leads us to want to give up on praying for something? Sometimes this makes sense (see 2 Samuel 12:21-23). Yet in general, Jesus urges us to persist in praying. How does Jesus compare and contrast God with the unjust judge in the parable? What is the primary takeaway from the story (v. 8)? How does knowing a loving God motivate persistent praying? What other factors help you to keep praying despite disappointments and unanswered prayers?
