This series is taken from Burning Heart who are an organisation who are passionate about equipping churches with high quality, professionally produced and theologically rich teaching films and series.  The Director is David Ingall who was the Rector of Holy Sepulchre London, an HTB Network church plant in the City of London.  For more information visit their website https://www.burningheart.org

In this second session we will explore how we understand prayer and what the purpose of prayer really is. Start the session by opening in prayer, and maybe worship. You may want to use the following prayer, or something like it:

Father God, please meet with us and speak to us as we watch the films. We pray that you would deepen our understanding of prayer, helping us to grasp your plans and purposes for it. And we pray also that you would inspire and encourage us to pray more and more in line with your will. Amen.

Watch the Video

From the Bible – John 15:7-8 & John 14: 6

⁷ If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸ This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

John 15: 7-8

⁶ Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 14:6

Discussion Points

• What are your expectations when you pray? Has the film challenged or changed them in any way?
• How do you feel about the idea that surrender and obedience are a key part of prayer? Will that change how you pray?
• What does it actually look like for our prayers to be rooted in our relationship with God?
• How can we make sure that we “remain in me (Jesus), and my words remain in you?” (John 15v7)
• Looking ahead to the next session – does what we’ve discussed today impact how you see unanswered prayer?

Prayer Time

• Ask one of the group to read John 14v6-15v8, while the rest of the group sit, listen and pray (they may want to close their eyes). Leave a time of silence at the end of the reading, for people to continue to pray.
• Spend some time praying as a group for God to help you listen to him and surrender to him in your prayers
• Break up into smaller groups of 2 or 3 and share specific things that each of you would like to pray about in your own life.