Don't Go Quiet

KEY VERSES:

• Mark 1:29–39
• Luke 11:1–13
• Matthew 26:36–44
• Hebrews 4:16
• 1 Peter 5:7
• Psalm 34:8
• 1 John 1:9

HIGHLIGHTS:

1. Solitude matters (Mark 1:29–39)
   • Jesus often withdrew from the crowd — not just to rest, but to pray.
   • Solitude without prayer misses the point; prayer fuels purpose and clarity.
2. Why we avoid prayer: Four common lies (Luke 11:3–13)
   • Lie #1: We think we’re bothering God (Hebrews 4:16).
   • Lie #2: We think He doesn’t care about our “small” stuff (1 Peter 5:7).
   • Lie #3: We doubt His goodness (Psalm 34:8).
   • Lie #4: We think He doesn’t have what we need.
3. How Jesus teaches us to pray (Luke 11:1–4)
   • Prayer is relational: “Father.”
   • Prayer is aligning: “Your kingdom come.”
   • Prayer includes needs: “Give us each day our daily bread.”
   • Prayer includes confession: “Forgive us our sins” (1 John 1:9).
4. Jesus models raw, repeated prayer (Matthew 26:36–44)
   • He was honest about His emotions: sorrow, trouble, and desire for another way.
   • He prayed the same surrender multiple times: “Yet not as I will, but as You will.”
   • Prayer strengthens spirit and weakens flesh.
5. Challenge for this week
   • Pray one honest line daily: “I need You,” “Help me surrender,” or “I don’t know what to say.”
   • Add 5 minutes of intentional prayer to your day.

TALK ABOUT IT:

1. Which of the four lies about prayer do you relate to most, and why?
2. When has prayer changed you more than it changed your situation?
3. What keeps you from making prayer a daily priority?
4. How does viewing God as a loving Father change the way you pray?
5. What’s the difference between praying for what you want and surrendering to God’s will?
6. How can you make your prayers more personal and less routine?
7. What would it look like to persist in prayer for something important to you this week?

APPLY IT:

• Identify which of the four lies about prayer you believe most and replace it with truth from Scripture.
• Make prayer personal — talk to God like a Father, not a far-off figure.
• Be persistent; keep asking, seeking, and knocking even when you feel unheard.
• Include both your needs and your surrender in prayer.
• Schedule a daily “quiet corner” moment for prayer, even if only for 5 minutes.
• Write down one honest sentence to start your prayer each day.