SOAR DISCUSSION GUIDE

Experiencing God Through Prayer
Ps Barry Cutchie

Scripture
Read John 91-7 and John 11:1-46

Observation
Ps Barry shard that answered prayer is all about God’s glory and not about my needs being met. In your reading of these stories of healing:
1. What are the needs of the people? What are they asking of Jesus?
2. How did Jesus respond to their requests?
3. How does Jesus’ way of answering their requests bring glory to God?

Application
– What are some of your experiences of unanswered prayer? How did you deal with your unanswered prayer? Share with one another
– Why did you think God did not answer your prayer? How did such experiences impact your prayer life?
– Ps Barry shared five things that can hinder our prayers from being answered:
1. Silence (James 4:2) – we do not have because we do not ask
2. Sin (Isaiah 59:1-2) – sin can hinder our prayers from being heard
3. Selfish motives (James 4:3) – prayer is not us expressing our needs. Prayer is us asking God to fulfil His needs.
4. Satanic resistance (Daniel 10:12-14) – Satan is at work to stop and hinder prayer and prayers being answered
5. Season – there is a season for answered prayer
Reflect on your experience of unanswered prayer. Are there some of these ‘issues’ that you need to deal with? Share with one another.

Response
– What commitment can you make to improve your personal prayer life?
– What commitment can you make to improve your prayer life as a married couple or family?