Prayer Study-Session Three (for 1/28/07)

Study Guide for Chapters 4 & 5: “The God Who Is” & “Coming Together”

This is our third session studying “Prayer, Does It Make Any Difference?”, by Philip Yancey. These two chapters explore two related questions: Who is God, and how can we connect with Him in a personal relationship? You can get a copy and study with us by clicking on the book’s icon in the left panel.

A. A verse to memorize: Prayer and the Holy Spirit—Romans 8:26 (NIV)

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.”

B. Book/Bible Study

1. While prayer is universal, concepts of God vary widely. How does one’s practice of prayer reveal his/her concept of God (including what Yancey calls “afterimages”)?
2. What kind of being is the One we call “God”? How do we know?
3. If God is everywhere, unlimited by time and space, how can we detect His presence?
4. According to Yancey, why did Jesus pray?
5. Compare other personal relationships you know of with Yancey’s description of how we can have a personal relationship with God.
6. Explain “My feelings of God’s presence—or God’s absence—are not the presence or the absence.

C. Class Discussion

1. Select one of the 6 questions above that you would like to hear someone else answer.
2. Your questions and comments