Session #4:
Leading In Prayer
Passages to Read and Consider:
Psalms 66:18; 145:18-19; Proverbs 15:8; Ecclesiastes 5:2; Lamentations 3:41; Matthew 6:5-15; 7:7-11; 18:19-20; Mark 11:22-26; Luke 18:1-14; John 9:31; 15:7; Romans 8:26-27; 1Corinthians 14:15-17; Philippians 4:6-7; 1Thessalonians 5:16-18; James 1:5-7; 4:2-3; 5:13-16; 1John 5:14-15
Discussion Points:
1. How important are the prayers that are led in the church assembly:
a. From a spiritual standpoint, i.e. our worship and relationship to God?
b. From a practical standpoint, i.e. in the overall context of the assembly?
2. How important is it that the prayer leader be heard?
a. What can be done from a practical standpoint to ensure that others hear us?
3. What characterizes good congregational prayer?
4. What characterizes poor congregational prayer?
5. What does it mean to say “Amen?”
a. What does 1Corinthians 14:15-17 teach us about saying “Amen?”
b. How would saying a hearty “Amen” help and encourage our worship?
6. Discuss these practical points and questions on prayer.
a. When you know in advance you will be called upon to lead prayer, what types of preparation might be helpful and appropriate?
b. What are some of the dangers in using the same expressions every time we pray?
c. Why would it be important to consider who we call on to lead us in prayer?
d. How might some prayer leaders pray more to be heard by men than by God?
e. Must every prayer that is led include everything for which we should pray?
Have we thought about the awesome responsibility it is to lead the congregation in prayer?