Study Guide

Jesus and Prayer

“What Scripture passage(s) guides your beliefs about prayer?”

The Vine and the Branches: Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.... If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.... This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples (John 15:4-8).

What is our job? (verse 4) Our job is to abide or remain in him. It is a partnership. It isn’t artificially pushing fruit out your branch; it is about staying connected to the Vine.

What is the promise? (verse 7) If we let his word abide in us, he promises he will do what we ask?

What is our purpose? (verse 8) God created us to glorify him by bearing much fruit. The purpose of a grapevine is to produce grapes, not to grow branches. A branch of the vine is only a means to an end: grapes. The fruit of the Christ vine and his branches is Christians. These also become branches, bearing the fruit of more Christians. Christ gives us the great honor and responsibility of being his branches. If the kingdom is to spread, the mission to be accomplished, it will be through us.

React and expand on Chuck Lindquist’s answer.

We live in a world that is morally defective, ethically twisted and spiritually broken. There is a harvest of people hungry for hope. There is an urgency in the world to harvest. Jesus’ answer was to pray. He will provide the workers to help with the harvesting.

Additional Passages and Questions to Ponder:

(Mark 1:35) When did Jesus pray?

Jesus got up before daybreak to pray. He knew that time with the Father should come before time with people. He filled the day working for God. He used the early morning for praying to God. When He was busy.

(Matt. 14:23) How do you think Jesus probably felt physically at this time?

After a full day of work Jesus asked his disciples to go to the other side of the sea. Then he sent the people away and went up on a mountain to pray. At a time when we might have said we were too tired to pray, Jesus prayed. When He was tired.

(Luke 6:12,13) Why do you suppose Jesus spend the night praying?

Before he chose his apostles, Jesus spent the whole night in prayer. He had decisions to make and wanted the Holy Spirit to bless these men.

(Luke 22:39,41) Why did Jesus spend three hours in Gethsemane?

Jesus prayed for three hours in Gethsemane before he went to his trial and crucifixion. A long time of prayer can prepare us for facing trials and sacrificial service. He had to face the cross and suffering.

(John 15:7) What Scripture passages guide your beliefs about prayer?

It is impossible to pray correctly without being connected to Jesus.

Your Thoughts:

What are your thoughts now about your present prayer life?

I am feeling there is plenty of room for improvement. My depth of understanding communication with God still has a lot to be desired.

What level would you rank yourself on other situations like praying in public?

I’m comfortable taking time to pray in whatever situation I find myself.

Where do you want to be in your practice of prayer by the end of this year?

I want to continue to make prayer a priority in my life even more than in the past.