How to Make Prayer a Lifestyle

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

‍

Warmup 

What is something you can do all day (on and off, like Pastor Rob’s fishing example):

• ...instinctively / without even having to think about it?
• ...that requires much effort or focus?
• ...that brings you joy?

‍

Pastor Rob encouraged us to consider prayer not as a moment we practice, but a relationship we live in all day. In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Paul gives three instructions to lead a lifestyle of prayer:

‍

“Rejoice always…”

1. What are some attributes of God that we can meditate on when we need a reminder to rejoice?
2. Can you think of examples from the Bible where believers rejoiced in the midst of great challenges? What can we learn from their example?
3. Practically, what does it look like for you to rejoice in God?

“...pray continually…”

1. Why do you think Paul instructs us to first rejoice, and then to pray continually?
2. What images, thoughts, or questions come to mind when you hear "pray continually" or "pray without ceasing"?
3. What were some moments from the past week where an "eyes wide open" prayer could have been helpful?
4. What are some prayer triggers that you might try this week? For example: a commute, a meal, a time of day, a regular moment in your daily routine, etc.

“...give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”

‍

1. Why do you think Paul instructs believers to “give thanks in all circumstances”, even if it may not change their situation?
2. What is God doing in your circumstances that we can be thankful for, even if we’re not necessarily thankful for the circumstance itself?
   
   1. In your life?
   2. In our church?
   3. In our communities?

‍

Pray

Take turns praying in three rounds: 

1. Rejoicing
   
   1. Reflect on the attributes or names of God that make us rejoice
   2. Reflect on our eternal basis of joy, in contrast to our ever-changing circumstances
   3. Acknowledge that we are “sorrowful, yet always rejoicing” (2 Corinthians 6:10)
2. Prayer for your group’s specific needs
3. Give thanks in all circumstances
   
   1. Ask the Holy Spirit to empower you to choose gratitude over negativity
   2. Ask the Holy Spirit to make you more aware of what God is doing all around you

CG Questions written by Clare S.