Teaching Outline: The Basics of Prayer
A 20-Minute Small Group Teaching for Awakening House Churches. The time outlines are just suggestions. You can teach longer based on this material.
Opening Prayer (2 min)
- Invite the Holy Spirit to teach and lead.
- Ask God to deepen our understanding of prayer and stir hunger for intimacy with Him.
I. What is Prayer? (5 min)
- Prayer is Communication with God
- Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV) – “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”
- Prayer is not just talking to God but also listening for His voice.
- God desires a relationship with us, not just religious routine.
- Prayer is an Act of Faith and Dependence
- Hebrews 11:6 (NIV) – “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”
- Prayer acknowledges our need for God and His power to intervene.
II. Types of Prayer (6 min)
- The Lord’s Prayer as a Model (Matthew 6:9-13)
- Praise & Worship – “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name” (Begin with adoration).
- Submission to His Will – “Your kingdom come, your will be done.”
- Provision – “Give us today our daily bread.”
- Forgiveness & Repentance – “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”
- Spiritual Warfare & Protection – “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
- Different Types of Prayer in Scripture
- Petition (Asking God for Needs) – Philippians 4:6
- Intercession (Praying for Others) – 1 Timothy 2:1
- Thanksgiving (Gratitude to God) – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
- Warfare Prayer (Resisting the Enemy) – Ephesians 6:12
- Listening Prayer (Waiting on God’s Voice) – John 10:27
III. How to Pray Effectively (5 min)
- Pray with Faith & Expectation
- Mark 11:24 (NIV) – “Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
- Prayer isn’t just speaking words; it’s believing in God’s faithfulness.
- Pray According to God’s Will
- 1 John 5:14 (NIV) – “If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”
- The more we know the Word of God, the more we can pray in alignment with His will.
- Pray Without Ceasing
- 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NIV) – “Pray continually.”
- A lifestyle of prayer means staying connected to God throughout the day.
IV. Group Discussion & Application (5 min)
Discussion Questions:
- How would you describe your current prayer life?
- What obstacles keep you from praying consistently?
- Which type of prayer do you feel led to grow in?
- How can you incorporate more prayer into your daily routine?
Closing Prayer (2 min)
- Pray for fresh hunger for prayer in each person’s life.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to teach us how to pray effectively.
- Encourage members to commit to daily prayer this week.
Bonus Challenge: Encourage members to set aside a specific time each day this week for intentional prayer.