THE WHOLE PRAYER
Theme: Becoming People Who Pray Like Jesus
Main Scripture: Matthew 6:9–13
“Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.”
TODAY’S BIG IDEA
Prayer is more than words we say to God; it is a __________________________ that shapes who we are, how we live, and how we __________________________ Him.
KEY TAKEAWAY
We didn't spend ten weeks learning only how to pray a __________________________. We spent ten weeks learning how to live a life of __________________________.
ICEBREAKER — WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED?
1. What is one thing you learned about God that you didn't fully recognize before?_______________________________________________
2. If you could summarize this study in one word, what would it be?_______________________________________________________________
TEACHING NOTES
THE PRAYER THAT SHAPES A LIFE 1
POINT 1: Prayer Begins With Relationship, Not Religion
Matthew 6:9 — “Our Father”
Jesus begins the Lord’s Prayer by reminding us that prayer starts with knowing who we are talking to. God is holy and powerful, but He also invites us to come to Him as His _________________.
We don't pray to impress God, earn His attention, or convince Him to love us. We pray because, through Jesus, we have been invited into __________________________ with Him.
Key Truth: Prayer is not a performance to get God's attention; it's a relationship because we already have His __________________________.
Illustration: The Difference Between a Visitor and a Child
Jesus invites us to approach God with the confidence of children who ________________ to the Father.
Practical Application: When you struggle to pray, don't wait until you feel spiritually enough. Start with the ____________________ you have with God.
Instead of thinking, “I need to get my prayer life together,” begin with: “Father, I'm here. Help me know You _______________.”
My Reflection: What would change about your prayer life if you approached God as a loving Father rather than feeling like you had to earn His attention?
POINT 2: Prayer Teaches Us to Want What God Wants
Matthew 6:10 — “Your kingdom come, Your will be done”
These phrases shift the focus from ________ agenda to ________ agenda. Prayer invites God to _______________ our plans.
Key Truth: Prayer isn't just bringing God into my plans; it's allowing God to bring me into ______________ plans.
Illustration: The GPS Reroute
Sometimes we become so attached to our preferred route that we resist God's _____________. Instead of asking God only to bless the path we've chosen, we should ask whether He is leading us somewhere _______________.
Practical Application: Before asking God to bless your plans, ask Him to ____________ your plans.
Pray these three questions:
1. God, what are You asking me to __________________?
2. God, where are You asking me to ___________________?
3. God, how can my life serve Your ____________________ today?
My Reflection:
Is there an area of your life where you need to surrender your plans and trust God's direction?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
POINT 3: Prayer Builds Daily Dependence, Not Occasional Desperation
Matthew 6:11 — “Give us this day our daily bread”
Jesus taught us to pray for our _______________ bread. God invites us into a daily relationship of ___________________. Prayer was never meant to be only our emergency response. It is meant to be our everyday __________________.
Key Truth: If the only time I talk to God is when I need something from Him, I'm missing the __________________ He wants to build with me.
Illustration: Charging Your Phone
Just as we build charging into our daily rhythm, our relationship with God needs intentional __________________.
Prayer doesn't mean we earn God's presence by completing a routine. We make space to enjoy and depend on the God who is already ___________________ with us.
Practical Application:
Build prayer into an existing rhythm:
When I wake up
Before a meal
During my commute
On my lunch break
Before bed
My Reflection:
What is one part of your daily routine where you could intentionally make space for prayer? ______________________________________________________________________
POINT 4: Prayer Changes How We Live With God and Other People
Matthew 6:12–13
The Lord’s Prayer moves from our relationship with God into our relationships with other people.
The prayer doesn't end when we say “Amen.” It continues in the way we treat people, respond to temptation, handle conflict, and walk through difficult __________________.
A growing prayer life should gradually shape a _______________ Christian life.
The evidence of a growing prayer life isn't only what happens when I close my eyes; it's what changes when I _______________ them.
Illustration: The Mirror
Prayer gives us space to bring our hearts before God. He may reveal resentment we need to release, pride we need to surrender, a habit we need to change, or a person we need to treat _________________.
The point isn't merely to recognize what needs attention. It's to respond in _________________.
Practical Application:
After you pray, ask yourself:
“Because I have spent time with God, what is one thing I need to do differently today?”
Let prayer move you toward ____________.
My Reflection:
Is there something God is asking you to change in how you treat others, respond to temptation, or handle a difficult situation?
DISCUSSION
WHAT IS CHANGING IN ME?
Take time to reflect honestly on what God has taught you throughout these ten weeks.
1. Looking back over these ten weeks, what is the biggest thing you've learned about prayer?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Which part of the Lord’s Prayer has challenged you most, and why?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Has your view of God changed in any way during this study?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. What is the difference between praying to get something from God and praying to grow closer to God?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. Which is harder for you: surrendering your will, trusting God daily, receiving forgiveness, or forgiving someone else? Why?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6. What tends to interrupt or distract you from spending time with God?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
7. What is one practical change you want to make in your prayer life over the next 30 days?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
APPLICATION
BUILD YOUR PRAYER RHYTHM
MY NEXT 30 DAYS OF PRAYER
The end of a study doesn't have to mean the end of our growth. We have learned a pattern of prayer; now we need a realistic way to keep practicing it.
1. My Time – When will I intentionally make space for prayer? ______________________________________________________________________
2. My Place – Where can I consistently pray with fewer distractions?______________________________________________________________________
3. My Starting Point – What phrase will help me begin my time with God?
Examples: “Father, thank You for…” or “God, what do You want me to see today? ______________________________________________________________________
My starting phrase: ______________________________________________________________________
4. My Focus – Which part of the Lord’s Prayer do I most need to practice in this season?
☐ Relationship — “Our Father”
☐ Worship — “Hallowed be Your name”
☐ Surrender — “Your kingdom come; Your will be done”
☐ Dependence — “Give us this day our daily bread”
☐ Grace — “Forgive us our debts”
☐ Forgiveness — “As we forgive our debtors”
☐ Wisdom — “Lead us not into temptation”
☐ Confidence — “Deliver us from evil”
5. My Accountability – Who can encourage me to remain consistent in prayer over the next 30 days? When will we check in with each other?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6. My Commitment – Over the next 30 days, I will make prayer a daily priority by: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PRAYER
PRAY THE PRAYER TOGETHER
As we pray through Matthew 6:9–13, pause after each phrase and reflect on what God is inviting you to practice.
“Our Father in heaven…” — RELATIONSHIP
Father, thank You that we can come to You as Your children. Help us remember that we are loved, welcomed, and invited into Your presence.
My Prayer: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
“Hallowed be Your name…” — WORSHIP
God, You are holy, faithful, good, powerful, and worthy of our worship. Help us see You clearly and honor Your name with our lives.
My Prayer: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
“Your kingdom come, Your will be done…” — SURRENDER
Father, we surrender our plans, expectations, and desires to You. Let Your kingdom be seen in our homes, relationships, work, church, and community.
What do I need to surrender to God?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
“Give us this day our daily bread…” — DEPENDENCE
God, give us what we need for today. Give us wisdom, strength, peace, provision, and grace. Teach us to trust You one day at a time.
What do I need to trust God with today?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
“Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors…” — GRACE AND FORGIVENESS
Father, search our hearts. Help us confess what needs to be confessed, receive Your forgiveness, and release the people we have been holding onto in resentment. Give us wisdom and courage to establish healthy boundaries where needed.
Is there anything I need to confess to God or anyone I need to begin releasing through forgiveness?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
“Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil…” — PROTECTION AND CONFIDENCE
God, show us where we are vulnerable. Strengthen us to choose what is right. Protect our hearts and minds, help us resist temptation, and remind us that we belong to You.
Where do I need God's wisdom, strength, or protection?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
LIVE IT
THE 30-DAY CHALLENGE
DON'T STOP AT AMEN
For the next 30 days, commit to practicing a daily rhythm of prayer.
Each day, seek to:
☐ Begin with relationship: “Father…”
☐ Make room for worship.
☐ Surrender one concern or decision.
☐ Ask for what you need today.
☐ Confess honestly and practice forgiveness.
☐ Ask God for wisdom and protection.
☐ End with trust.
Some days may feel powerful, and others may feel ordinary. Consistency is not about producing a particular emotion; it is about continually __________________________ toward God.
FINAL REFLECTION
Complete this statement:
One thing I want to carry with me beyond this study is…______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
REMEMBER
Relationship. Surrender. Dependence. Transformation.
We may be finishing this study, but we are not finishing our journey with God. The goal isn't to become people who simply know the Lord’s Prayer. The goal is to become people whose lives reflect the heart of the One who taught us to ____________________.__
