Leader Packet
Pray For One Another
Think about a time when someone has said to you, “I have been praying for you.” Is there
anything quite like that feeling? So intentional. So full of empathy. The promise TO pray for
someone is kind, but it’s easy to say and not follow through. I’ve done it. You’ve done it. But
there’s something to the “I have been” that is unparalleled. It is a love that you can give
absolutely anyone, whether or not they ever even know it happened.
I remember a time when a miracle finally came through for me after so many years of praying
in secret. It was a struggle I mainly kept to myself, especially after a lot of time had passed. But
when blessing fell, and I shared the news, SO MANY people came to me and said that they
had been praying for me the whole time. Daily, for years and years, these beautiful ones whom
I had no idea even had me in their thoughts had my name over and over in their prayer
journals.
We need not look much further than the Apostle Paul for a demonstration of this kind of love.
Paul expresses in every epistle how he prays for his beloved churches – he prays in gratitude
(Colossians 1:3, Ephesians 1:6), he prays on their behalf (2 Corinthians 13:7-9, 2
Thessalonians 1:11), and he even asks for prayer (2 Thessalonians 3:1). Prayer marks his
ministry so prominently!
As for instruction, James tells us to confess our sins and pray for one another, because prayer
has great power (5:16). Paul tells us through his letter to the church in Ephesus to “pray in the
Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and
always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people” (Ephesians 6:8). And Jesus, our intercessor
who prayed for us (you and me) even during His earthly ministry, says, “love your enemies and
pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). Prayer is powerful. Prayer is attentive.
Prayer is for everyone.
So, this is a lot of why we pray for each other, but what about the how?
Some things we pray for when we happen to think of it. Maybe even most things. If the Lord
places them on our hearts and minds, we pray in the moment for them. I don’t know if I’m right,
but I feel like this is the “remembering you in my prayers” that Paul says so often. There’s a lot
of good that can come of this, and it allows the Lord to guide our prayers for each other.
Some other things, or particular people, we make sure we remember to pray for. These are the
names and needs we write down in our prayer journals or on Post-its to remind ourselves as
often as we see them. There is a commitment to this kind of prayer. It is in these prayers we
carry some of the burden for people, especially if they know we are committed to praying for a
particular request.
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There is another kind of prayer that takes a great deal of effort, and that is intercession. To
intercede for someone is not just to present their requests to God alongside them, but it is to
step into their shoes in the same way we would empathize with another person and pray for
them in the same way you would pray for yourself. To intercede for another, we have to
mentally and emotionally get inside of their experience, and in doing so we lift up more than
just their spoken requests. You consider their hearts, and their lives, and their realities with a
level of intimacy that lifts the whole person up to the Lord.
This is how Paul prayed for his beloved churches. This is how Jesus prayed/prays for us.
For those of us who have been on the receiving end of this, there is no feeling like it. I will
never be capable of forgetting that I am loved because a handful of people had me in their
hearts when they came to their Father in prayer. That is the very core of what it is to love like
Christ loves.
Leaders, feel free to make this week’s lesson your own. Make sure everyone has it to read
ahead of time, but also take the time yourself to add notes, highlights, and personal thoughts.
Before diving into the questions, offer these reflections to your group as you help them engage
with the content. Additionally, in “Applying the Message,” we make space for a time dedicated
to praying in your group. You may already do a prayer time with sharing requests - this is your
opportunity to take your time and make praying together a greater focus than ever
Getting Started
1. Tell a story of when you were prayed for. How did this impact you (your relationship with the
person, your faith, how it lightened your load, etc.)? It would be beneficial for your group for
you to have your own answer prepared, as these kinds of stories can require some
vulnerability at times. Be ready to model that. It’s also ok to keep this light! Your group may
not be ready to get too personal right at the top of the lesson, and that’s ok.
2. In general, what is prayer like for you? When do you pray? Alone or with someone? Out
loud or silently? For only big things or for everything?
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Digging Deeper
1. Read Philippians 4:6-7. What are we supposed to pray about? What is the intended result?
It’s hard to argue with the absolute language of this text, but often we feel like we need to
hold back in prayer for the “big things,” or like we can only ever pray for others, etc. This text
doesn’t really leave room for that.
2. Read Luke 11:1-4. What parts of Jesus’ prayer stand out to you? What is the overall tone?
3. Read Romans 8:26-27. Restate it in your own words. How does this truth land for you? How
does it impact how you think about your relationship with prayer? This is a good one to get
several answers on - we each have our own perspectives, so each paraphrase will draw out
different nuances.
4. Read John 17. In what specific ways does this model how to pray? Who is He praying for,
specifically, in verses 20-21? What is the significance of this truth? There is a clear
familiarity in this prayer between Jesus and the Father, and then right there in verse 21, He
says that this personal, direct, familiar connection He has with God is exactly what He wants
for all of us. That’s a pretty big deal.
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5. Read James 5:15-18. Why do you think the author said, “Elijah was a man with a nature like
ours?” Do you believe your prayers have the power to change things? What is the danger to
our prayer life if we believe our prayers don’t actually accomplish anything?
Applying the Message
1. Do you pray on a regular basis? Why do you think that is? Be as specific as you are willing.
There could be a lack of faith, they could not have enough practice, they may worry they’re
“bothering God with little things,” or it could just be forgetfulness. All of these things show up
in other ways in our walk with the Lord. It is better to dial in on this kind of thing than let it go,
especially in a small group environment. Lift each other up!
2. What are the biggest issues or needs in your life currently? Take some time together as a
group to bring these prayers and petitions before the Lord. Organize this in whatever way
makes sense for your people. You might do all the praying, have specific people volunteer,
let people pray as they are led to, or assign each person someone in the group to pray for. It
is up to you.