There was no recording posted last week as we had a visiting speaker who lives in North Africa and it would not have been appropriate to have recorded it.

This week there are notes but no recording. As Many of the regulars are away I used the opportunity to revert to a café-style and we had discussion groups around the topic of prayer. It would not have recorded well.

The notes are as follows, perhaps you can use them in a group or in your personal meditations.

Prayer

As I introduce this subject I wonder how many Christians will harbour the often unspoken thought, “I do not pray enough.” At the end of this study I do not want to leave you with that thought.

Discussion Question: But how much is enough? And is there an appropriate amount?

I think this condemning attitude is not what Jesus intended and it is not helpful for our spiritual health. We are not supposed to be an our room praying all the time, there are things to do and a life to enjoy.

Discussion Question: What did Jesus teach us about prayer?

Not many words of his on the matter are recorded – not that they are not laden with meaning and content though.

What has come to us is not only what he said but what he modelled for others to see him live and to write about.

Discussion Question: See the following scriptures. what can we conclude from these?:
Matthew 6:6
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Mark 1:35
Very early in the morning…

Conclusion 1: Jesus recommended a secure time and place. Privacy. Safe from being disturbed or distracted..

Discussion Question: See Luke 18:1. What does this tell us about prayer?

The Parable of the Persistent Widow
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.

Verse 1 is the interpretation of the writer, it is he who is telling us what the theme and meaning of the parable is. It is not about God being a grump.

See verse 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?

Conclusion 2: Jesus recommended persistence, and regular talking with God.

What is the faith that is written about here? This is the faith that finds expression in relationship.

See Luke 11:1 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.

Discussion Question: “When he finished.” They must have been watching him as they waited for him to finish. What do you think they were thinking? What did they see? What was it they saw that was desirable?

Conclusion 3: Relationship with God is possible.

Discussion Question: See Mark 1:35-37
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: Everyone is looking for you!

What are the priorities we see here, those of Jesus and those of the disciples?

Conclusions. What are your conclusions from this study? What is the Spirit emphasising to you today?