The 3rd Mark, Study 4: Praying for Ourselves

For Sunday Feb 8th, 2009

1) [Note: These questions are probably best done in a batch one person at a time, or in a very conversational way.]
Did you pray for yourself last week?
What did you pray for?
Were your prayers answered?
How did you pray? (out loud, silent, with others...)
Did you like a particular style of prayer?

2) Read: Mk 14:32-36

They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," he said to them. "Stay here and keep watch."
Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. "Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."

[Note: These questions can open up a wide variety of questions from the participants. It's not necessary to have all the answers, but rather to let the participants attempt to answer those questions themselves.]
Jesus knows what is going to happen to him: He is facing his own death. He knows it has to happen, and yet he still prays to God. How do you think Jesus feels when he prays?
Why do you think he prays? [Note: No right answer here, but one idea to share is that Jesus is not praying for God to change the events so much as he is praying for God to give him the strength to face those events. This models an important facet of prayer for us, which is being open to transformation when praying.]

3) [Note: This semi-fictional story is completely optional. Its value should be determined based on the nature of the group at the time.]
Read this small story:

Ben and Ann had been married for a few years and decided to finally have a baby. After 3 years of trying and being unable to get pregnant, Ben was getting frustrated. He prayed to God often about it. He prayed in church. He prayed with friends. He would pray silently, and aloud. He even tried very hard to be a good person, thinking that would make the difference. Eventually, Ann became pregnant. After two months they went to the doctor and received some alarming news: Ann had had a miscarriage. After a silent drive home from the doctor, Ben dropped Ann off at home and headed to work. On the car ride by himself, Ben began yelling at God. Ben couldn't understand how all of his praying and all of his work at being good had resulted in this tragedy. He yelled and yelled out loud, as if God were sitting in the car with him. Ben was mad at God for several days. He didn't pray and he didn't go to church. Then something happened. Ben moved on. After speaking with a close friend of his, he realized that God doesn't answer every prayer, and perhaps there was a reason for not answering this one. Ben has since gone back to praying, and going to church. He and Ann ended up having twins eventually, and the trials that they faced brought them closer to each other, to God, and to their children. In the end, Ben looked back at his prayers and realized that God was preparing him. God's answer to his prayers was so much more than what Ben had wanted, in many ways, and for that, Ben felt incredibly blessed.

Do you think it was wrong for Ben to yell at God?
Why do you think that God waited to answer Ben's prayers?
How do you feel when it seems God is not answering your prayers?

4) Lightning quiz round!

• Is there a particular way you are supposed to pray? No, the important thing is that you pray, not how.
  
• Does God hear all of our prayers? Yes, God wants us to pray, and listens to all our prayers.
  
• Does God answer all prayers? No, God's plan is bigger than we can understand, and we must be open to it.
  
• Is it ok to ask God for what we want? Yes, but we also have to be open to God giving us something else.
  
• If God is going to answer a prayer, does He do it right away? No, He will wait until the right time.
  
• Should I pray to God, or to Jesus? Either one or both. Pray to the one that helps your prayer feel more personal.
  
• Should we pray even if we don't think God will answer our prayer? Yes! Praying is a way to talk with God and ask for help so that we can be closer to him.
  

[Note: Use this opportunity to tackle any additional questions about prayer. I have not specifically answered all of the questions from the first session, so if there are additional "tough" questions, participants are welcome to email me (sboding@gmail.com).] 5) One option when you need to pray is to pray a psalm. Psalm 23 is perhaps the most well known of King David's psalms and is often prayed by people when they are feeling afraid or sad. Let's read this psalm together. Psalm 23

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

[Note: Use this opportunity to let talk about this psalm if they wish.]

The 3rd Mark, Study 3: Praying for Others

For Sunday Feb 1st, 2009

1) [Note: Again, hopefully some members prayed for others' specific needs last week, but if not, ask about any prayers they may have done.]
Did you pray for other members of this group over the last week?
What did you pray for for them?
What was it like to pray for a person in general, instead of for something specific?
Was it comforting to know someone was praying for you?

2) Read: John 17:20-26

"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. "Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. "Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them."

Before his crucifixion, Jesus spends time praying. Here He prays "generically" for all believers.
What does it seem like he is praying for?
Does this type of prayer help you understand how to pray?
[Note: Optional question: Do you find it odd that Jesus is praying to God, if Jesus is God? Why might he do that?]

3) Read: Psalm 51

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge.
Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you.
Save me from bloodguilt, O God, the God who saves me, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.
You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
In your good pleasure make Zion prosper; build up the walls of Jerusalem.
Then there will be righteous sacrifices, whole burnt offerings to delight you then bulls will be offered on your altar.

This Psalm was written by King David after he was caught committing adultery with Bathsheba and getting her husband killed. He is praying for forgiveness for a specific event.
What jumps out at you as interesting in this prayer?
Does this type of prayer help you understand how to pray?

4) This week, pray for yourselves. Be bold, and pray for anything. However, try out different types of prayer. They don't need to be long prayers; 5 minutes a day is great. There's no specific formula to prayer so let's brainstorm some ways to pray. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Write out a prayer
  
• Read a prayer from the Book of Common Prayer
  
• Silent meditation, focusing on God's presence in your life
  
• Pray out loud, making it up as you go along
  
• Pray with others
  
• Have a conversation with Jesus, imagining him standing next to you and just speaking to him like a friend about what's going on
  
• Dance privately to music that reminds you of Jesus
  

[Note: It would probably be helpful to have them make a list of prayer types to try out.]

The 3rd Mark, Study 2: Praying for Our World

For Sunday Jan 25th, 2009

[Note: For this week's activity you'll need rocks and/or pieces of wood and permanent markers. Ideally they are big enough (and smooth enough) to easily write names on, but small enough to be carried in pockets and backpacks discretely.]

1) [Note: Hopefully some members prayed for others' specific needs last week, but if not, ask about any prayers they may have done.]
Did you pray for others' specific needs last week?
How often did you pray?
How did it feel to pray for others?

2) When you look at our planet today, what worries you?
Are you worried about the planet, or the people taking care of it?
Do you pray for our planet?

3) Read: Genesis 1:27-31

God spoke: "Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature so they can be responsible for the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, the cattle, and, yes, Earth itself, and every animal that moves on the face of Earth."

God created human beings; he created them godlike, reflecting God's nature. He created them male and female. God blessed them: "Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge! Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air, for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth."

Then God said, "I've given you every sort of seed-bearing plant on Earth and every kind of fruit-bearing tree, given them to you for food. To all animals and all birds, everything that moves and breathes, I give whatever grows out of the ground for food."

And there it was. God looked over everything he had made; it was so good, so very good! It was evening, it was morning— Day Six.

[Note: This passage is taken from The Message translation.]
God finishes creating the world by creating us. What was God's role for us on this planet?
Who do you think today is ignoring God's role for us?
Who do you think is following God's role for us?

4) Read: Psalm 24

The earth and everything on it belong to the LORD.
The world and its people belong to him.
The LORD placed it all on the oceans and rivers.
Who may climb the LORD's hill or stand in his holy temple?
Only those who do right for the right reasons, and don't worship idols or tell lies under oath.
The LORD God, who saves them, will bless and reward them,
because they worship and serve the God of Jacob.
Open the ancient gates, so that the glorious king may come in.
Who is this glorious king? He is our LORD, a strong and mighty warrior.
Open the ancient gates, so that the glorious king may come in.
Who is this glorious king? He is our LORD, the All-Powerful!

This is a psalm written by King David in future celebration of God entering Zion on Earth. What sort of statements does it make about the relationship between God and His creation?
What do you think God dislikes about our Earth today?
What do you think God likes about our Earth today?

6) Activity (Rock the Prayer):
Pick out a rock or piece of wood. Take a marker and write your name on it. Then put it into a hat. [Note: Leaders too!] Once everyone is done, take turns picking out rocks from the hat blindly.

This week we are going to pray for each other again. Instead of a single specific prayer though, pray for what you think that person needs. Carry your rock/wood with you this week and use it as a reminder to pray for both the person whose name is on it, and for our planet.

The 3rd Mark, Study 1: Exploring Prayer

For Sunday Jan 18th, 2009

[Note: This study opens a series on Prayer. There is no formula to prayer, and it is important for the youth to understand that. Encourage them to explore ideas about what prayer is about.]

1) [Note: This first batch of questions is meant to get everyone discussing what they believe prayer to be. Use any of these questions that feel appropriate, and throw in others that may not be listed here.]
What does it mean to you to "pray"?
How often do you pray?
Do you pray by yourself, or with others?
Do you pray aloud or silently?
Do you say memorized prayers, or make them up as you go?
Do you pray at particular times, or whenever you feel like praying?

2) Activity (part 1): On post-its, write some things that you would like to pray for now. Use one post-it per prayer. Nothing is off limits; write down anything that you specifically want to pray for. In the bottom corner of each post-it you write up, also put your name. Put these up on the wall as you go.
[Note: Let them share while they write them up. Mentors should participate as well. Try to make sure everyone puts up something that is a prayer personal and meaningful to themselves.]

3) Read: Matthew 6:5-15

When you pray, don't be like those show-offs who love to stand up and pray in the meeting places and on the street corners. They do this just to look good. I can assure you that they already have their reward. When you pray, go into a room alone and close the door. Pray to your Father in private. He knows what is done in private, and he will reward you. When you pray, don't talk on and on as people do who don't know God. They think God likes to hear long prayers. Don't be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask.
You should pray like this:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever.

If you forgive others for the wrongs they do to you, your Father in heaven will forgive you. But if you don't forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.

[Note: The Lord's Prayer in this passage has been substituted with the version from the Book of Common Prayer (rite 1) for consistency purposes.]
Jesus models the Lord's Prayer for us as an example of how to pray. When you read this prayer, what do you notice about it?

4) Activity (part 2): [Note: It would be best to have wall space where you can create multiple separate columns to re-organize the post-its into.]
Break up the Lord's Prayer into sections. For example, the line "Give us this day our daily bread" is a section asking God for what we need. Do this with the rest of the prayer and create a post-it for each section. Write that portion of the prayer down along with a quick summary of what that section is about.
[Note: There's no "right" answer, but likely it will break up into 4-7 sections. There should at least be 3 sections roughly mapping to "praising God", "asking for what we want/need", and "asking for forgiveness". Other ideas are: "seeking his will", "asking for guidance", "asking for protection", "giving thanks".]
Now, organize your post-its of your own prayers to into columns to match up the portions of the Lord's Prayer.
Are there sections of the Lord's Prayer that your prayers didn't fall into? Why might that be?

5) Read: Psalm 29

All of you angels in heaven, honor the glory and power of the LORD!
Honor the wonderful name of the LORD, and worship the LORD most holy and glorious.
The voice of the LORD echoes over the oceans. The glorious LORD God thunders above the roar of the raging sea, and his voice is mighty and marvelous.
The voice of the LORD destroys the cedar trees; the LORD shatters cedars on Mount Lebanon.
God makes Mount Lebanon skip like a calf and Mount Hermon jump like a wild ox.
The voice of the LORD makes lightning flash
and the desert tremble. And because of the LORD, the desert near Kadesh shivers and shakes.
The voice of the LORD makes deer give birth before their time. Forests are stripped of leaves, and the temple is filled with shouts of praise.
The LORD rules on his throne, king of the flood forever.
Pray that our LORD will make us strong and give us peace.

This is a psalm written by King David. It is primarily praise for God and an affirmation of his faith in God. Why do you think David wrote this?
What parts of this psalm do you particularly like?

6) Activity (part 3): What sort of questions do you have about praying? Write them down on a post-it and stick those on the wall.
[Note: This is a good opportunity to get them asking each other questions and brainstorming, but don't feel the need answer the questions. Collect the questions and email them to me (sboding@gmail.com).]
Before we leave, everyone take a post-it of someone else's prayer from the wall. Keep that post-it with you during the week and pray for that prayer. Put it somewhere that it will remind you to pray. Perhaps in your locker, in your pocket, or on your bedroom door. It doesn't matter how long you pray, but try to pray at least once a day, each day this week.