But if you remain in Me and My words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! John 15:7

“When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered only by repeating their words again and again. Don’t be like them, because your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask Him! Matthew 6:7-8 (NLT)

3 Ways to Connect with God through Prayer

1- BE

.

“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalms 46:10

But I have stilled and quieted myself, just as a small child is quiet with its mother. Yes, like a small child is my soul within me. Psalm 131:2 (NLT)

But Jesus would often go to some place where he could be alone and pray. Luke 5:16 (CEV)

2- BE

.

“When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Matthew 6:7-8

Pray like this:

Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.
Matthew 6:9-13

3- BELIEVE GOD WILL

.

“You can ask for anything in My name and I will do it, because the work of the Son brings glory to the Father.” John 14:13 (NLT)

“Anyone who comes to God must believe that He is real and that He rewards those who truly want to find Him.” Hebrews 11:6 (NCV)

Connection Group Questions:

1. What would you tell a friend that prayer is and how they can pray?

2. How difficult is it for you to get still and quiet so you can focus in on your connection with God? What can you do to find more quiet in your life?

3. Do you follow any sort of pattern when you pray? What do you regularly include in your prayers?

4. Read Matthew 6:7-13. Do you find yourself praying the same thing repeatedly? Is this a good or a bad thing? If you need to add more variety to your prayer so that you’re actually thinking about the words you are praying, how can you do that?

5. When you pray for God’s will to be done in the world and in your life do you really mean it? What does it look like for God’s will to be done in your life?

6. Jesus tells us to ask God for the food we need for the day Having just what we need for each day requires great trust in God. How has our current cultural understanding of accumulating savings and a “nest egg” (which are not bad in and of themselves) changed how we pray and trust in God?

7. How is your ability to forgive others connected to God’s forgiveness of your sin?

8. Be honest! Are your prayers more like, “God, I’m going to get as close to the line as possible and I’m counting on you to help me not sin.” Or are your prayers more like the words of Jesus in v. 13 - “And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one..”

9. Do you find it hard or easy to believe that God hears your prayers and can do something about them?