This week we begin a new 8-week sermon series on Prayer. This first Sunday focuses on what Jesus teaches us about prayer. While there are many things Jesus teaches us, I'd like us to focus on what Jesus teaches us about prayer in the Lord's Prayer. Jesus encourages us to pray privately and honestly. Our words aren't as important as our hearts.

Our readings for this week: Luke 11:1-13; Luke 18:9-14

Plan to join us this Sunday morning at 10:30 am or go to our FB page to link to Youtube live on Sunday mornings or anytime on our website redoakpresbyterianchurch.com

Questions to Ponder:

1. As we begin our sermon series on Prayer, spend some time thinking about your prayer life. What are your hopes and your desires for your prayer relationship with God? What problems do you struggle with in your prayer life?

2. How would you define prayer?

3. One of the main ways Jesus teaches His disciples about prayer is in what we call the Lord's Prayer. This prayer begins with the words, "Our Father". Why do you think Jesus taught his disciples to pray to "Abba" (our Father)? What kind of relationship does it affirm?

4. How does your view of God affect your view of prayer?

5. Using the Greek word, the next petition reads, "give us this day our epiousios bread," which can be translated as today, tomorrow, or [an] amount. So the phrase can mean, "the bread of today," "the bread of tomorrow," or "the bread we need." Given this broadened definition, which meaning would you choose?

6. Not only are we instructed to forgive others, but if we read the version in Matthew, in two verses after the prayer, what does Jesus say will happen if we don't? (Matthew 6:12-15)?

7. In what particular ways is our church and our whole society in need of repentance, a turning away from wrong thinking and wrong doing, and of the forgiveness of our heavenly Father?

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 - "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."?

9. 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?