Week 7: We Are Being Prayed For!

Opening Prayer:
“But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation
say continually, ‘Great is the Lord!’
As for me, I am poor and needy,
but the Lord takes thought for me.
You are my help and deliverer;
do not delay, O my God.”
Psalm 40:16-17

Read: Ephesians 3:14-21

Story/Illustration:

“Prayer is not ‘getting in touch with your true self,’ as is so often said. It is the practice of shifting preoccupation away from yourself toward attentiveness and responsiveness to God. It is a deliberate walking away from a me-centered way of life to a Christ-centered way of life. It is certainly true that in weakness and thirst and desperation we reach out to God, but the larger and more encompassing reality is that God is already reaching out to us. Prayer has its origin in the movement of God toward us.” (Eugene Peterson, Practicing Resurrection)

“The greatest thing anyone can do for God and for man is to pray.” ~ S.D. Gordon

“You’re going to die. I want to tell you something. Life is not about you and me. Jesus didn’t die to fulfill our dreams. Life is about God’s dream. It’s allowing yourself to be fruitful for God’s purpose.” Mike Slaughter


Questions For Reflection:
• Any response to Pastor Jeff’s sermon?

• What words in this passage jump out at you? Why?

• What does it feel like to be "filled to...all the fullness of God?" What does this mean?

• Think of the privilege of being a child of God: unlimited wisdom, power, and love poured out on us in one gracious act of salvation. If we really understood this, could we ever pray casually again? Knowing this and embracing this, how will your prayers change?

• Based on the end of this chapter, what is it that God can't do? What problems do you have that God can't solve?

• What does Paul’s prayer mean for us today?

• How does this prayer strengthen you? Are you being called more fully into God’s story? What does that mean to you?

• What does Mike Slaughter’s quote say to you?


Wrap up:
We can so often seek greater glory for ourselves and for our churches. This can mean bigger buildings, programs that surpass that of the governments, nicer budgets, friendlier staff, more eloquent speakers, more comfortable settings, but we are missing what is at the heart of God's purpose. We are to step aggressively ahead by seeking the love of Christ. This is humankind meeting God. This is where God's love is revealed to us. Once revealed, we are forever changed.

Have you sought this love of Christ? Has your church together sought out to be filled with Christ's love? Dare we live without a full knowledge of God's healing love?! Pray Paul’s prayer for yourself and those you live with and love. Watch what happens when we are filled with the love of Christ!


Closing Prayer:
“I trust in the steadfast love of God
forever and ever.
I will thank you forever,
because of what you have done.
In the presence of the faithful
I will proclaim your name, for it is good.”
Psalm 54:102