Length: 10-20 mins
Hear why prayer is one of the PULSE habits, see it in Scripture, and discuss this habit with your group.
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Why the “P” in PULSE stands for PRAY
We believe God goes before us, it is his mission we are participating in and so we seek him first. Prayer is central to the Christian life. It’s where we commune with God, bringing our lives and selves to him, and often, where he aligns our hearts to his.
Prayer is also a powerful place where we engage in God’s mission. To paraphrase Lee Strobel, among others: “If God answered all of your prayers from the last week, would the world be different? Or just your life? Would there be anyone new in the kingdom of God?” As we spend time with God, our heart and our prayers will reflect his heart for the world more and more.
Prayer in Scripture
In the Old Testament, God both commands his people to pray and promises to answer the prayers of his people. Jesus spent significant time in prayer from the beginning of his ministry to the end, and he taught his disciples how to pray. The New Testament letters go on to instruct believers to pray all the time, in all things.
Read some or all of the following passages for more context.
2 Chronicles 7:14
Matthew 6:9-13
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Discussion Questions
How would you summarize God’s heart for prayer as you understand it, from these verses and the rest of Scripture?
What does this habit look like in your life right now?
How does knowing God's heart for prayer lead you to action?
Pray Together
Take a few minutes to pray for some of what came up in your discussion today.