2 the lord’s prayer study guide - ward church

2 T H E L O R D ’ S P R A Y E R S T U D Y G U I D E

Pray, then, in this way:

Our Father who is in heaven,

Hallowed be Your name.

Your kingdom come.

Your will be done,

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

[For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.]

Matthew 6:9-13 (NASB)

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CONTENTS

Welcome 4

About This Guide 6

Tips for Group Leaders 8

Week One 9Our Father

Week Two 15Your Kingdom Come

Week Three 21Give Us This Day

Week Four 27Forgive Us Our Debts

Week Five 33Do Not Lead Us Into Temptation

Week Six 39Yours is the Kingdom, Power and Glory

40 Days of Prayer Prompts 45Includes Note Pages

Appendix A 54Group Agreement

Appendix B 56Group Calendar

Appendix C 58Contact Information

Copyright + AcknowledgmentsWritten by Laura McCullough | Edited by Chris Walker | Video by Ryan McCullough and Eric WolfeVideo Scripts by Scott McKee and Tyler Groff | Copyright © 2019 Ward Church, all rights reserved Production by Greenman’s Printing and Imaging


This season, our weekend series will take us through a journey that looks at the most famous prayer ever prayed by the most important man who ever lived. These words have been prayed in more settings than any other words, and many of us are familiar with their collective name, the Lord’s Prayer. But how many of us really know what we’re praying?

Over the next six weeks, we’ll break down the meaning of each phrase, discovering rich truths Jesus wants us to understand as we pray. During this series, we’re looking at the Upside-Down Kingdom Jesus taught about in his famous Sermon on the Mount. In this section of scripture, Matthew 6:9-13 (NASB), Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God Himself, says:

Pray, then, in this way:

Our Father who is in heaven,

Hallowed be Your name.

Your kingdom come.

Your will be done,

On earth as it is in heaven.



And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.


WELCOME

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Jesus answered his disciples’ request, “Lord, teach us to pray,” (Luke 11:1) by literally teaching them to pray. He gave them a beautiful framework that is one of the greatest treasures of our Christian practice of prayer.

This study guide is designed to help you interact with your group as you explore each timeless phrase and its life-changing power and other relevant Scriptures about prayer.

One of the most poignant truths to recognize as we begin is that Jesus Himself prayed all the time. He prayed because it was vital to his life as a human here on earth. As we seek to be spiritually connected humans, we must pray, too. For that reason, we’ve included a 40-day prayer space to guide your personal prayer time.

We look forward to growing together as we learn to pray through the depth of the Lord’s Prayer. This study guide is a multipurpose tool for you. Add notes as you listen to the weekend sermons, answer questions for small group time, and make lists of people to pray for. We also hope that you consider joining us in a 40-day commitment to personal prayer and devotion in the back of this guide.

May this prayer daily remind us that His is, indeed, the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever.

Note: If you miss a sermon on Sunday, you can go back and listen at www.ward.church/on-demand.

Our small group videos are available at www.ward.church, as well as our Ward Church Roku Channel, and Ward Church Apps for Apple iOS (iPhone / iPad), and Android.

W E L C O M E

Scott McKee, Tyler Groff, Eric Wolfe + Jenni Miller


ABOUT THIS GUIDE

Thank you for committing to study the Lord’s Prayer with a group for the next six weeks. We trust you’ll find this study guide an easy way to facilitate discussion and that it will help you connect with the others in your group and with God Himself on a deeper, more meaningful level.

Each week will be comprised of three main components. These are based on our “next steps” for discipleship at Ward that encourage everyone to keep moving forward in their journey with Christ.

The components are as follows:

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GATHER | As you gather together as a group, we hope you’ll engage in worship of God through fellowship, prayer, singing (optional), and studying His Word. Ask God to speak to you during this series and give you a heart to hear what He is saying to you through His Word and through others in your group.

CONNECT | We encourage you to connect with your small group through discussion and service opportunities. Life change happens as we connect with others. Each member of your group has something to offer, so enjoy the journey of discovering what that is! We have several ongoing service opportunities to help you connect at Ward, and we encourage your group to choose to serve together during the course of this series. A list of service opportunities can be found at www.ward.church/serve.

INVITE | We ultimately hope you live in a way that invites your family and friends to a relationship with Christ. Each week, the questions in this section will help you thoughtfully consider how to most authentically and effectively impact the world around you.

DIGGING DEEPER / 40 DAYS OF PRAYER PROMPTSThe Digging Deeper section is all about personal application of the lesson. It gives you a chance to apply what you’re learning at a deeper level, which often leads to pivotal life change.

For this series, dig deeper into your own personal prayer life by committing to 40 days of prayer. You’ll find your 40-days of prayer prompts in the back of the book. You can journal anything the Lord speaks to your heart during your prayer time in the pages that follow the prompts.

Utilize these prompts daily; at the same time, give yourself space to be imperfect. If you miss a day, it’s okay. Do your best, and jump in as you can!

A B O U T T H I S G U I D E


So you’re hosting a small group…now what? The most basic needs are a willing group leader, a group and a study guide. If you’re interested in making your experience a bit more welcoming, this page is for you. We’ve collected a few ideas to help you make your group the most it can be and create a space where people feel comfortable to meet Jesus.

Tip One | Prepare ahead of time.Watch the week’s video ahead of time. Consider any thoughts you might want to weave in from the video. Read through the questions and be ready to jump-start conversation. Be familiar with the material so you can be an engaged leader.

Tip Two | Create a welcoming environment for your group. Greet people with a smile. Have low-key music playing as they arrive. Use warm lighting for a cheery space. Arrange seating in a circle to encourage connection. Use name tags if people don’t know each other well. As a group, decide how the responsibility of beverages and snacks may be shared.

Tip Three | Facilitate conversation.Your role is to facilitate conversation. Be open and willing to share your thoughts. Be appropriately vulnerable, but don’t do all the talking. Silence is okay. Be a good listener. Be affirming when people share. Know when to move on from a question that isn’t resonating well. Adapt questions to fit your group’s dynamic.

Being a welcoming host and group leader just takes a little bit of intentionality. Be creative and have fun! Don’t go overboard, but use your own strengths to create welcoming spaces and atmospheres for your people. And remember--the most impactful way to welcome guests with extra-mile hospitality is with a smile.

TIPS FOR GROUP LEADERSTIPS FOR GROUP LEADERS

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WEEK ONE | SERMON NOTES

WEEK ONE: OUR FATHEROur Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.

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WEEK ONE | SERMON NOTES

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GATHER 2 0 M I N U T E S

Use this time to get your group started and create a comfortable connection between people. Open with an icebreaker question. Then read the summary out loud and open in prayer. At the end of the prayer, invite everyone to recite the entire Lord’s Prayer together. The prayer is printed at the front of this guide for reference.

Have all group members introduce themselves. For continuing groups, take some time to re-connect with each other before beginning the session. Also take time to review the group agreement (Appendix A) and fill out the group calendar (Appendix B) and contact information (Appendix C).

Icebreaker: Who is your favorite TV/movie dad and why?

Summary:Welcome to Week One of our small group series! We’re looking line by line at the most famous prayer ever prayed by the most important man who ever lived. The Lord’s Prayer is a beautiful model and invitation to join Jesus in prayer.

Today, we’re looking at the first lines of Matthew 6:9…

Pray, then, in this way:Our Father who is in heaven,Hallowed be Your name.

Prayer:Lead your group in prayer or give someone else a chance to pray. Recite the Lord’s Prayer as a group.

PLAY WEEK 1 VIDEO NOW Where can I watch the small group videos?Our videos are available on our website at www.ward.church, as well as our Ward Church Roku Channel, and Ward Church Apps for Apple iOS (iPhone / iPad), and Android.

W E E K O N E | O U R F A T H E R


CONNECT 3 0 - 4 5 M I N U T E S

Spend time discussing a few of the following questions.

1. What stood out to you from the video? Did anything specific catch your attention?

2. What is your personal experience with the Lord’s Prayer? Is it new to you, or did you learn it earlier in life?

3. What is your perception of prayer in general? What do you remember from your childhood about prayer? Who taught you about prayer? What bad habits have you acquired in prayer?

4. How do you feel about the words in these first lines of the Lord’s Prayer? Which words do you find comforting? Which words are harder to wrap your mind around?

5. Jesus intentionally chose the word “our” to begin. What does it mean to you? How does “our” include both the community of believers and Jesus Himself?

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6. Describe your relationship with your earthly father. How does this affect your view of God?

7. Read Mark 14:32-36; Romans 8:15; and Galatians 4:6. In these passages, Jesus and Paul use the Aramaic term “Abba,” meaning “Father.” Together, the terms Abba and Father doubly emphasize the fatherhood of God. How does the use of the term Abba show intimacy with God? What difference does this make? What attributes of a great earthly father find their origin in the character of God?

8. What do you think “heaven” means? What does the nearness of God look like? How does the closeness of God impact how you relate to Him in prayer?

9. What does “hallowed” mean? Describe the idea of holiness in your own words.


INVITE 1 0 M I N U T E S

The following questions are designed to help you intentionally impact your communities this week. Take a few moments to discuss as a group.

1. Why do you think it was important to teach us to pray starting with this phrase? How can a right perspective of God reform our perspectives of the people in our lives?

2. How can you proclaim God’s holiness in your daily life?

CLOSE 5 M I N U T E S

Take a few moments to close in prayer. End your prayer time by reciting the entire Lord’s Prayer together again.

DIGGING DEEPERFollow the prayer prompts (in the back of this guide) throughout the week. Spend just a few minutes with them each day to focus your mind on practical application of the Lord’s Prayer in your daily prayer life.

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WEEK two: your kingdom comeYour kingdom come.Your will be done,On earth as it is in heaven.

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WEEK TWO | SERMON NOTES

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Icebreaker: Would you rather be a driver or a passenger?

Summary:Welcome to Week Two! The hardest thing for a human being to do is give up control. We resist it with every fiber of our being. Last week, we learned about the holiness and authority of God as our loving Father. This week, because of who He is, we submit control to Him as the King of His kingdom. We pray for His will to be done in and through us, as Jesus said in Matthew 6:10…

Your kingdom come.Your will be done,On earth as it is in heaven.


PLAY WEEK 2 VIDEO NOW

W E E K T W O | Y O U R K I N G D O M C O M E




1. What stood out to you from today’s video?

2. What comes to mind when you think of a kingdom in today’s world? What are the most common principles that rule kingdoms of today?

3. Think about your personal earthly kingdoms—the ones that take up expansive real estate in your heart (e.g., worry, stress, greed, pride). How does constantly “ruling” these kingdoms impact your relationship with God?

4. Whose kingdom and will does Jesus say to pray for? What does the Kingdom of God look like?

5. Read Ephesians 1:7-10. What is the mystery of God’s will that has been made known to us? How has God brought unity to heaven and earth through Jesus?

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6. Read the following excerpt from C.S. Lewis in Letters to Malcolm, Chiefly on Prayer:

“Thy will be done”. But a great deal of it is to be done by God’s creatures; including me. The petition, then, is not merely that I may patiently suffer God’s will but also that I may vigorously do it. I must be an agent as well as a patient. I am asking that I may be enabled to do it. In the long run I am asking to be given “the same mind which was also in Christ.

What does it mean to be “an agent as well as a patient?”

7. How can we be agents in bringing about God’s kingdom?

8. Read Micah 6:8. What does this verse say about what God sees as good in His kingdom?

9. How do we know God is a trustworthy King? How does your heart for humanity compare with God’s heart for humanity?

10. In what areas do you need to give up control and allow God’s will to become greater than your will?

W E E K T W O | Y O U R K I N G D O M C O M E




1. How can you be an ambassador for God’s kingdom to the people in your life?

2. How do you think life will become better as you live out the mission of God’s kingdom?



DIGGING DEEPERFollow the prayer prompts throughout the week. Spend just a few minutes with them each day to focus your mind on practical application of the Lord’s Prayer in your daily prayer life.

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WEEK three: give us this dayGive us this day our daily bread.

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WEEK THREE | SERMON NOTES

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Icebreaker: Have you ever been hangry? What are you like when you’re hungry?

Summary:Welcome to Week Three. Last week, we talked about God’s kingdom. This week, we focus on God’s faithfulness to provide our daily needs. Today, we’re looking at Matthew 6:11…




W E E K T H R E E | G I V E U S T H I S D A Y




1. What caught your attention in today’s video teaching?

2. What Old Testament story was Jesus referencing in this line of the Lord’s Prayer? In Exodus 16:1-3, what did the Israelites say to Moses and Aaron? What was keeping them from trusting God?

3. Have you ever said “if only” about a situation in life? “If only God had let me ______.” How might attachments to your past be keeping you from trusting God in the present?

4. Read Exodus 16:4, 15-18. What did the Lord want His people to learn about Him?

5. Who do you rely on most? If you knew there was one person who could, without question, meet every single need you have on a daily basis, how would that affect what you do?

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6. Read John 6:48-51. What does Jesus say about Himself?

7. What does daily dependence on God look like? How can you learn to trust God to meet your immediate needs spiritually, physically, emotionally, and relationally?

8. The prayer states, “Give us.” What are the implications for us in terms of our meeting the needs of others?

9. Do you notice when people around you are in need? How can you be more aware of the needs you encounter each day?

10. How can daily asking God to meet your basic needs keep your faith fresh? How can it affect your ability to live out the Kingdom of God?

W E E K T H R E E | G I V E U S T H I S D A Y




1. Are there specific types of needs you can think of that God wants to meet through you?

2. What is something you could commit to doing this week to meet the needs of someone around you?




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WEEK four: forgive us our debtsAnd forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

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WEEK FOUR | SERMON NOTES

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Icebreaker: What’s the dumbest grudge you’ve ever held or the dumbest thing you’ve ever been mad about?

Summary:Welcome to Week 4. This week, we’re talking about forgiveness—from God to us, and from us to others. Our goal is to be people who receive God’s grace and then are faithful to extend it to those around us. Today, we’re looking at Matthew 6:12…




W E E K F O U R | F O R G I V E U S O U R D E B T S




1. What popped out at you from this week’s video?

2. What is forgiveness? What isn’t forgiveness?

3. What are we asking God to release us from in this line of the prayer? How would you describe a debt in your relationship with God?

4. What does 1 John 1:8-10 say about the human condition? Is any human exempt from the great debt owed to God?

5. Read Psalm 103:7-13. How has God viewed you in light of the great debt you owed Him? What has He done with your sin?

6. How do you treat someone who owes you a debt? What is your natural inclination? How does this line up with how God treated your debt?

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7. What would make it easier for you to forgive someone who wronged you? What behaviors make forgiveness hard? What would someone have to do for you to completely forgive them?

8. How could keeping an awareness of God’s forgiveness change the way you look at others?

9. Do you offer the same understanding for the behaviors, actions, and attitudes of others that you expect God to use for you? How can you become more like the character of God in this area?

10. How do you think knowing someone’s story would change your perspective of their behavior? How would you interact differently with people if you knew their stories?

11. The prayer of Jesus says we are to ask forgiveness of our debts as we have forgiven our debtors. Do we need to forgive others in order to receive God’s forgiveness? What do you think Jesus meant?

12. Read Colossians 3:12-17. What can we choose to put on that will help us forgive each other?

W E E K F O U R | F O R G I V E U S O U R D E B T S




1. How has unforgiveness hindered your relationship with God? What is one thing you can do this week to draw closer to Him?

2. Who have you pushed away in unforgiveness? What is a step you can take to walk in a forgiveness mindset? How can you practically apply forgiveness to a relationship this week?




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WEEK fIVE: DO NOT LEAD US INTO TEMPTATIONAnd do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

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WEEK FIVE | SERMON NOTES

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Icebreaker: What food could you binge eat if you didn’t have to worry about getting sick?

Summary:Welcome to week 5! This week’s phrase acknowledges our need for help in the battle against evil. God’s power is the only way we gain victory over temptation and sin. The evil one is real. The battle is daily and relentless, but victory is ours in Jesus. Today, we’re looking at Matthew 6:13,

And do not lead us into temptationbut deliver us from evil.



W E E K F I V E | D O N O T L E A D U S I N T O T E M P T A T I O N




1. In today’s video, what jumped out at you?

2. This phrase of the Lord’s Prayer almost sounds as if God leads us into temptation unless we ask him not to. C.S. Lewis (Letters to Malcolm) says the Greek word for “temptation” is broader and means “trial” or “trying circumstances—of every sort; a far larger word than English ‘temptation.’” Lewis says the phrase essentially means, “Make straight our paths. Spare us, where possible, from all crises, whether of temptation or affliction.” Does this give you a better understanding of Jesus’ meaning, and if so, how?

3. What are some sources of temptation in our culture? How can we 1) identify those temptations that most target our weak points and 2) find ways to effectively deal with them or avoid them altogether?

4. What does Proverbs 3:5-6 say will happen when we acknowledge God? What correlation does this have with keeping away from sources of temptation?

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5. Read 1 Peter 1:3-7. How has God already kept us from the ultimate affliction through Jesus? How, then, does He intend to use our times of temptation here on earth?

6. Read 1 Peter 5:8 and Ephesians 6:12. What do these verses say about the reality of evil?

7. In 1 John 3:8, it says that Jesus appeared to destroy the devil’s work. What does that mean about the ultimate power of the evil one?

8. Read the following excerpt by Wesley Hill in The Lord’s Prayer: A Guide to Praying to Our Father:

When we pray “Deliver us from evil,” we are asking to be able to see, enjoy, and live in accord with what is true but still largely unseen in the present. We know that Jesus has already secured our final release from the Evil One, but we still sense evil’s nearness and taste its effects.

How do you sense the nearness of evil in your daily life? How do you taste its effects?

9. In what ways can we stand against evil in our lives? What tools do we find in Ephesians 6:10-18?

W E E K F I V E | D O N O T L E A D U S I N T O T E M P T A T I O N




1. As you think about your relationship with God, are there any broken spaces where you’ve become complacent to the effects of evil? What can you do to rise up and stand against it?

2. How have the people around you suffered the nearness of evil in this world? How can you specifically pray for them this week?



DIGGING DEEPERFollow the prayer prompts throughout the week. Spend just a few minutes with them each day to focus your mind on practical application of theLord’s Prayer in your daily prayer life.

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WEEK six: yours is the kingdom, power and glory[For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.]

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WEEK SIX | SERMON NOTES

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Icebreaker: If you could give up one responsibility for a day, which would you choose?

Summary:Welcome to our sixth and final week! As we’ve studied each line of the Lord’s Prayer over the past few weeks, we’ve learned so much about who God is and His desire to be present in every part of our lives. This week, Jesus encourages us to surrender to the God we know as Father, King, Provider, Forgiver and Protector. He is worthy of our total commitment. Matthew 6:13 says,




W E E K S I X | Y O U R S I S T H E K I N G D O M , P O W E R A N D G L O R Y




1. What stood out to you from the video this week?

2. In what ways does this week’s phrase speak of surrender?

3. Overall, do you tend to want things your way or God’s way? What areas of your life need a fresh dedication to the kingdom, power, and glory of God?

4. What are some ways you take credit for glory that belongs to God?

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5. How does recognizing kingdom, power, and glory as God’s reframe your perspective of life?

6. Jesus’ goal as a human here on earth was to bring us as human beings into a restored relationship with God. How can you embrace God’s worthiness as King and reflect it back to Him in adoration?

7. Thinking back over the past six weeks, how has your view of the Lord’s Prayer shifted? What are some takeaways you are committed to remembering and putting into practice?

8. How can you continue to allow Jesus’ teaching of the Lord’s Prayer to shape your spiritual life and your relationship with God?

W E E K S I X | Y O U R S I S T H E K I N G D O M , P O W E R A N D G L O R Y




1. What areas of your life will you surrender to the authority of God this week?

2. Who in your life needs the hope of a God who will meet our needs as Father, forgive us, and draw us closer to Himself in hopes of blessing us? How can you specifically pray for them or reach out to them in love this week?




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40 days of prayer PROMPTSMay your journey be blessed.

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Welcome to your 40-days of prayer. Utilize the prayer prompts daily; at the same time, give yourself space to be imperfect. If you miss a day, it’s okay. Do your best, and jump in as you can! Let this be an encouraging, helpful resource to your prayer journey.

Read the prompt and dedicate time in prayer. Consider finding a quiet place at home, work or school. You can even create some space in your parked vehicle, in the midst of a busy day.

You can use the note pages provided or a journal you already have to write or draw. Use whatever method helps you connect to your Father in prayer. Don’t worry about a right or wrong way to approach each prompt.

May your journey be blessed.

40 DAYS OF PRAYER PROMPTS

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Day OneToday you begin. Ask God to give you a fresh understanding of communication with Him.

Day TwoParaphrase the Lord’s Prayer in your own words. Or, copy down two different versions (i.e. NIV and Message, or NASB and ESV).

Day ThreeAsk the Lord to reveal your prayer weaknesses and strengths. Ask Him to teach you the sound of His voice.

Day FourWhat names of God come to mind today? List them (Healer, Provider, etc.) or look through your bible for some ideas. Praise Him for being Who He is.

Day FiveBe honest today about your experience with your earthly father. Ask God to show you His goodness as your heavenly Father.

Day SixConfess your current thoughts about the character and nature of God. Surrender them to Him and ask Him to heal any false paradigms.

Day SevenPray about holiness. Give God room to reveal His profound holiness to you in a new way.

Day EightRead Psalm 55:16-17. Give the Lord any weight you’re carrying today, knowing He hears you.

Day NinePray for someone in your life who needs to experience God as their loving Father.

Day TenCommit yourself to God’s will over your own. Release your need to control and ask for His will to be done in your life.

Day ElevenPray about God’s purposes for you today. Ask him what He wants you to know and what He wants you to do.

4 0 D A Y S O F P R A Y E R P R O M P T S


Day TwelveReflect on your priorities. Give them to God, asking Him to make His priorities yours.

Day ThirteenIntentionally surrender your will today, whether you feel like it or not. Admit where you’re stubbornly refusing to follow God’s will.

Day FourteenThink of a song lyric that moves your heart or mind to think deeply about God. Write the words as your prayer or ask the Lord for a fresh understanding of His character.

Day FifteenAsk God “why” today. Be honest about not understanding His will in a particular situation. Ask Him for peace in the unknowing or grace in the waiting.

Day SixteenRecognize God as your Provider. Commit to relying on Him day-by-day.

Day SeventeenAsk God to reveal any false ideas you have about the “security” of your past. Open your eyes to His nourishment in your today.

Day EighteenIs there a specific area you need God’s provision today? Maybe a decision you need to make, a physical issue, a stressful situation? Surrender it to God and pray for an obvious expression of His love in that space.

Day NineteenPray about the fears you have and ask God to replace them with trust in Him. Reflect on ways He has shown you His provision through your life.

Day TwentyRead John 15:7. Ask God to teach you to abide in Him.

Day Twenty-OneThink about the people you see each day. Pray for eyes to see the needs God wants to meet uniquely through you.

Day Twenty-TwoAcknowledge that unforgiveness could be an obstacle in your relationship with Jesus. Ask God to show you what forgiveness and freedom look like.

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Day Twenty-ThreeThink of a specific situation where you’re holding on to unforgiveness. Pray for God to reveal the unhealthiness of your perspective. Surrender and ask for peace and strength.

Day Twenty-FourList some areas where God has shown you forgiveness. Ask Him for renewal of joy and gratitude for His grace and mercy.

Day Twenty-FivePractice forgiveness today. Write, “Lord, I forgive ____” as you ask Him to bring people to mind who have offended you in some way. Do this until no more names come to mind. Pray for His grace to make those forgiveness-words a reality in your life.

Day Twenty-SixThank God for His great love today. Ask Him what He wants you to know about how He sees you. Write down any words or phrases that pop into your mind.

Day Twenty-SevenAcknowledge God’s grace. Ask Him for continued safety and protection for you and those you love.

Day Twenty-EightPray for clarity about where you’ve gone left of God’s best. Recommit yourself to making choices that reflect His goodness in your life.

Day Twenty-NineWhere do you need to see the light of God enter the darkness? Ask Him to show you the dark spaces of your heart and illuminate them with the light of His Son.

Day ThirtyPray about trust today. Acknowledge the authority of God and commit to trusting His path for your life.

Day Thirty-OneAsk the Lord to protect those in your life who are struggling, battling a difficult situation or trying to be strong in the face of obstacles. Pray for Him to show His redemptive power in their lives.

4 0 D A Y S O F P R A Y E R P R O M P T S


Day Thirty-TwoPray through the armor of God in Ephesians 6:13-17. Make these verses personal and ask God to equip you with each piece of protection.

Day Thirty-ThreeCommit your words, thoughts and actions to the Lord today. Give Him praise for His kingdom, power and glory.

Day Thirty-FourWrite down a few highlights from the story of your life. Ask God to reveal His glory through your personal life story.

Day Thirty-FiveThink about the Kingdom of God. Ask God to show you what it looks like here on earth and reveal your unique purpose in His kingdom for this day.

Day Thirty-SixDedicate the ordinary spaces of your life to God. Pray for eyes to see His sacredness in every area of your life.

Day Thirty-SevenCommit your goals and future to the kingdom, power and glory of God.

Day Thirty-EightToday, be grateful for the ways God has revealed His kingdom or power or glory in your life. Make a list of anything that comes to mind and thank the Lord for His faithfulness.

Day Thirty-NineThink about any patterns in your prayers since Day One of this guide. Are there any themes or common threads? Ask God what He wants you to know or remember.

Day FortyAsk the Lord to keep growing your prayer relationship with Him in the coming days. Thank Him for what He has taught you so far.

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40 DAYS OF PRAYER | NOTES

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4 0 D A Y S O F P R A Y E R N O T E S


APPENDIX A

Small groups thrive on participation! The purpose of this agreement is to help you discuss and clarify your group’s goals, expectations, and commitments.

PurposeThe purpose of small groups is to connect people to Jesus Christ and one another in authentic community that will promote transformation through living the Truth of Jesus Christ in our relationships, study of God’s Word together, prayer, and outreach. To that end, small groups help us…

• know God in a more personal way • understand what the Bible teaches us about community • belong to a group with others who will support us in our spiritual growth • care for one another and reach out to others • have fun

ComponentsConnect With One Another | Each meeting we’ll take time to enjoy refreshments and fellowship. Our discussion time will open with sharing questions that will help us get to know one another and share what is happening in our lives. This part of the lesson is designed to introduce everyone to the day’s topic and to get the discussion flowing.

Praying Together | Each meeting we’ll learn how to care for each other as Christ commanded. This care can take many forms such as prayers, encouragement, listening, challenging one another, and meeting real needs.

Serving Together | We commit as a group to serve outside the walls of the home at least one time during or after the six-week study.

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Commitment | At times schedules can become complex and people might miss a meeting. With that in mind, for the course of this study we commit to keeping participation in the life of the group a high priority. In the event that someone cannot attend, we will let the group know. We also commit to keeping personal things shared in the group confidential.

DetailsDatesWe’ll meet every week / every other week on for weeks. Our final meeting will be on .

TimeWe’ll meet from to . We commit to beginning and ending on time.

Children Group members are responsible to arrange their own childcare Children are welcome; group childcare will be arranged

We agree together in Christ to honor this commitment. (To be decided by each person by the second group meeting)

G R O U P A G R E E M E N T

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

A P P E N D I X A


APPENDIX B

MEETING LOCATION

WEEK ONE

WEEK TWO

WEEK THREE

WEEK FOUR

WEEK FIVE

WEEK SIX

CELEBRATION

It is appropriate to switch locations. Many groups will meet at different houses to allow a week off from hosting in the home. It is also encouraged that the group rotate the facilitator allowing for different people to get a shot at facilitating discussion.

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G R O U P C A L E N D A R

FACILITATOR HOSPITALITY

It is recommended that whoever is hosting the meeting and facilitating be freed from the responsibility to provide snacks and beverages. As a group, you may decide how this will work best because every group is different.

A P P E N D I X B


NAME ADDRESS

APPENDIX C

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EMAIL / PHONE GROUP ROLE

C O N T A C T I N F O R M A T I O N

A P P E N D I X C

40000 Six Mile Rd. | Northville, Michigan 48168248.374.7400 | www.ward.church

2 the lord’s prayer study guide - ward church

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