When We Pray: Part 1

Sunday, January 11, 2026

Read Matthew 7:7-11 and pray together

Title: When We Pray; prayers guided by the Sermon on the Mount

Main Idea: When we pray, we pray to our God as our Father.

When we pray, we pray to . . .

  1. Our inviting Father

    • Verse 7 gives us 3 commands, each followed by a promise. (Ask and it will be given to you. Seek and you will find. Knock and it will be opened to you.) Why do you suppose He follows up His commands with His promises?  

    • What emotions arise when you hear "God is our inviting Father"? Into what or whom is He inviting us? 

    • Pastor Jason reminded us that "our Heavenly Father loves to hear our voices." Reread that quote slowly, allowing it to rest on your heart for a few seconds. Oh, why would we not want to pray?  

  2. Our answering Father

    • Verse 8 tells us that "everyone who asks, receives." God always answers our prayers, but His answers aren't always what we want. What are some examples of this truth in your life? Who is helping you become more grateful for His answers? How is this truth maturing your prayer life and walk of faith?

    • Look up and read the following Scriptures.

      • Jeremiah 29:13

      • Isaiah 65:24

      • James 4:8

    • Which of the above three verses means the most to you? How will you memorize your chosen verse so that a week from now you can quote it and meditate upon it?

  3. Our good Father

    • Verses 9-11 tell us that God is our good Father. Reread vv. 9-11 slowly and prayerfully.  What are a couple of ways this truth encourages you to talk like a child to God? Who will help you remember that our God is our good Father? What is one thing you will do differently in your daily life in light of this truth? 

    • Pastor Jason told us that "maybe you do not understand or even like His answers, but . . . He is always good and always gets it right." How does his statement strike you? Will you trust Him even when you don't get what you want? 

    • Take time to discuss the video we watched featuring Pastors John Piper and Matt Chandler. What effect did that experience have upon you?  What came to your mind as you looked at the scar on Chandler's bald head, saw his lips sweetly muttering his amens while Lauren, his wife, and Audrey, Reid, and Norah, their children dwelled deeply in his heart? 

    • How do Piper's prayer and Chandler's trust help shape your heart to pray like a child to our Heavenly Father?

REMEMBER: Our leaders created the Daily Prayer Prompts – a tool to guide our church through the next 21 days of prayer. 

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