01 Sep “PRAY, like a life depends on it! Because it does.” – Southcoast
Life Group Leader Training: Only for apprentices ready to lead a group.
TWO SESSIONS AVAILABLE:
Check the Events Page for What is Happening (not everything is listed here) (waterschurch.org/events):
NEW ENGLAND LOCATIONS
PAT BARRET CONCERT INFO:
There are a limited number of General Admission tickets available at the NA Campus bookstore and there is a church presale discount available online through 10am Monday, June 17th.
NEW BOOK BY PASTOR TIM: “ENDING EMPTINESS” now available in our Lobbies, Kindle, and Nook endingemptiness.com
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Reminders:
✳ Please regularly check your Planning Center profiles for requests to join your life groups, remove members from the list that no longer attend, or add members not listed. Please ensure that you have added no-reply@churchcenter.com to your email contacts so that you do not miss an email from Planning Center and encourage your members to do so as well. This will ensure you do not miss a member request or any emails that come from the Planning Center site. Thank you!
Waters Class Schedule:
- 1st Sunday: Discover Waters – after 1st service
- 2nd Sunday: NO CLASSES
- 3rd Sunday: Connect Class – after 1st service
- 4th Sunday: Baptism Class – after 1st service
Waters Help: Need marriage and family care or have a group member in need of marriage and family care? Click here: help resources page or visit waterschurch.org/help
Location Text Alerts:
| North Attleboro | Text “subscribe” to 508 695-1300 | |
| Norwood | Text “subscribe” to 781 762-3357 | |
| Apollo Beach | Text “subscribe” to 813 642-6979 | |
| Woonsocket | Text “subscribe” to 833 241-4837 | |
| Southcoast | Text “subscribe” to 508 809-3490 | |
PRAY, like a life depends on it! Because it does.
Key Verse: Colossians 1
Ice-breaker
Q: Breakfast for dinner or dinner for breakfast?
1. Prayer Connects Us Directly to God
Prayer is more than just a ritual; it’s the lifeline that connects us directly to the Creator of the universe. The Bible mentions prayer over 650 times, emphasizing its significance in our relationship with God. Whether seeking guidance, expressing gratitude, or interceding for others, prayer is the primary way we communicate with God.
Matthew 6:6 (ESV)
Matthew instructs us to find a quiet place to pray alone, emphasizing the importance of personal, intimate communication with God. God values the sincerity of our prayers over their visibility. He rewards those who seek Him privately, showing that prayer is about a personal relationship, not public display. In these quiet moments, we can hear God most clearly and experience His presence deeply.
Q. What specific steps can you take to prioritize and create more intentional time for private prayer in your daily routine?
2. Prayer is Powerful in All Circumstances
1Timothy 2:8 (ESV)
We are encouraged to pray everywhere. Prayer is versatile—it’s a tool we can use in any situation, whether in joy or pain, public or private.
This verse reminds us that prayer is not limited to any one place or posture; it’s a continual attitude of the heart. We are encouraged to maintain a prayerful spirit in church, at home, or out in the world. The posture of lifting hands symbolizes surrender and humility before God, setting aside anger and division to seek His will.
Q. What situation in your life right now needs the power of prayer?
3. Understanding God’s Will Through Prayer
Knowing God’s will is crucial for living a life that pleases Him, and prayer is the key to discerning His will.
Colossians 1:9 (ESV)
Paul emphasizes his constant prayer for the Colossians.
Understanding God’s will requires us to seek Him earnestly in prayer. It’s not something we figure out on our own; instead, God reveals His will as we grow in spiritual wisdom and understanding through prayer and the study of His Word. It’s a process of aligning our desires with His purposes.
Q. How has God revealed His will to you in the past, and how can you seek it now?
4. Prayer Produces Fruit in Our Lives
Our lives bear spiritual fruit when we align ourselves with God’s will through prayer.
Colossians 1:10 (ESV)
Bearing fruit means that our actions reflect the character of Christ. As we grow in our relationship with God, our lives should increasingly show evidence of His work manifesting love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—qualities that draw others to God and glorify Him.
Q. How can you begin to bear more fruit in your life through prayer?
5. Prayer Strengthens Us and Brings Gratitude
Life can be challenging, but prayer strengthens us and fills us with joy and gratitude, even in difficult times.
Colossians 1:11-12 (ESV)
Prayer doesn’t just change our circumstances; it changes us. It gives us the endurance to face trials with patience and joy and fosters a heart of gratitude, reminding us of all that God has done for us. Gratitude in prayer shifts our focus from what we lack to what we have received, filling our hearts with peace.
Q. How can prayer help you find strength and gratitude during challenging times?
6. Prayer is the Key to Deliverance and Redemption
Through prayer, we access the deliverance and redemption that Christ offers.
1 Colossians 1:13-14 (ESV)
Prayer is how we acknowledge and accept Jesus’s incredible gift of salvation. Through prayer, we confess our sins, receive forgiveness, and walk in the light of God’s grace. This deliverance is not just a one-time event but an ongoing process of sanctification as we grow closer to God.
Leader Prompt
Encourage prayer as a Daily Commitment:
- Emphasize to your group that the most important takeaway from this guide is to establish a daily habit of prayer.
- Share the importance of consistency in prayer, as it strengthens their relationship with God and aligns them with His will.
- Encourage them to see prayer as a powerful tool that impacts not only their own lives but also the lives of those around them.
Action Item
Commit to Daily Prayer: This week, commit to setting aside a specific time each day for intentional prayer. Focus on seeking God’s will, praying for strength and gratitude, and interceding for others who need the redemption that Christ offers.
Challenge
Pray Boldly Challenge yourself to pray for something that seems impossible, trusting in God’s power to bring about His will. Whether it’s a breakthrough in a difficult situation, the salvation of a loved one, or personal transformation, step out in faith and pray with confidence.
Scripture Meditation
Psalm 25:4 (ESV): “Make me know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths.”
Matthew 6:33 (ESV): “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Encourage the group to meditate on these Scriptures throughout the week, allowing God to guide them in their prayers and daily walk.
Closing Prayer
Lead the group in a prayer of surrender, asking God to reveal His will, strengthen them, and fill them with gratitude and love for others.
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