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.]