Learning to Pray at the Feet of Others
From Leaderpedia
by Robert Walter
Purpose
- To learn from the prayer life of other Christians past and present.
- To develop a conviction concerning the power of prayer.
One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” (Luke 11:1)
Exercise
- (Solo) Recall who first taught you to pray and how you first prayed. How have your prayers changed since then?
- (Solo) The disciples were so struck by Jesus’ prayer life that they asked him to teach them to pray. What can we learn from his prayer and his example? Read Luke 11:11-13
- Divide this model prayer into sections. What types of prayer are included?
- Write your own prayer using these sections as an outline.
- What is the significance of the related teaching in 5-13? What is repeated?
- (Solo) Select and read about one of the prayer warriors from Seven Guides to Effective Prayer by Colin C. Whittaker
- How did this leader learn to pray? What motivated him/her to pray with deep faith?
- What struggles did this leader face?
- What factors were instrumental in breaking through?
- What does his/her life teach you about prayer?
- Experiment by using one of their prayer practices for a while (preferably one that is new to you).
- (Pairs) Interview your prayer intercessor and ask them to share:
- How they have personally seen God answer prayer.
- How their convictions grew concerning prayer.*
- What they have learned about prayer.
- How they pray.
- Answers to your questions about prayer.
Have them pray for you and incorporate something you learned from this interview in your prayer life.
- Our prayers lay the track down on which God's power can come. Like a mighty locomotive, his power is irresistible, but it cannot reach us without rails. --Watchman Nee
