Follow-Up Study Guide To:

The Attitude of Prayer
Part 2 of 4 in the series “Does Prayer Really Work?”

July 12, 2009 Pastor Scott Oldenburgh

This week our reading will be focused on Matthew 6:1-15

Read the passage and take notes on this question: “What do you think Jesus was trying to say is important in this passage?”

Specifically look at verses 5-8

ê What was Jesus speaking against in these verses?

ê Why do you think this type of thing or people bothered Jesus so much?

ê What was Jesus trying to warn His followers about in regards to prayer?

Focusing on verses 9-13, Take each verse and answer the following questions:

ê Why is it important to recognize who we are praying to?

ê What is the difference between God’s kingdom and ours?

ê Why is it so difficult to wait or depend on God to sustain us?

ê Why is reconciliation of relationships so important to God?

ê What difference does it make if we try to protect ourselves or live in God’s protection in this world?

ê How would someone live in God’s protection?

ê When and how often do you usually pray?

ê What would you say is usually your motivation or attitude when you pray?

ê Why do you think the attitude of prayer matters to God?

ê What could God possibly teach us in regards to our attitude surrounding prayer?

ê If our attitude was right when we pray, what might God be able to teach us?

ê If our attitude was selfish, arrogant, bitter, etc, what do you think we might miss about prayer?