A SIMPLE THEOLOGY OF PRAYER PART 1
Why Pray? (Understanding the Power and Purpose of Prayer
Introduction to Course Content
6 Lessons
Course Synopsis:
In order to fully understand the power and purpose of prayer, it is crucial that believers today understand why God created prayer, why prayer is so important to the heart of God, and why He has named His people and His Church a “House of Prayer for all Nations.” Learning how and why God has uniquely designed prayer to include us, His created ones, is vital to living prayer-filled lives as individuals and as His Church. Focusing on the story of the cleansing of the Temple will guide you on this journey.
Group Leaders:
Click HERE for the Leader’s Guide PDF
Group Participants:
Prior to each week’s lesson, please do the reading, watch the first video and spend time thinking through and answering the discussion questions. This will help you to be well-prepared when your group meets together either in person or online via Zoom (or a similar platform).
Individual Participants:
Go through the lessons at your own pace. You may wish to utilize the suggestions in the Course Tools below.
Course Tools for Groups and Individuals:
We have included a PDF file for each Lesson, as well as a PDF just for the discussion questions in case you wish to have a printed copy. To enhance your experience, we suggest you have a Bible and a journal, or something to take notes with. You will want to write down how God is speaking or teaching you throughout these lessons.
Reading:
• Forgotten Power: A Simple Theology for a Praying Church by David Butts will be the primary text for this course.
• Please note: This course is based on the first two chapters of the book, so please follow the reading assignments for each week carefully. We recommend following Why Pray? with Part 2: Becoming a Praying Church for good continuity of the content in the entire book.
• If your church/group leader is not ordering the book for you, or if you are taking this course as an individual, you can purchase the book here: Forgotten Power: A Simple Theology for a Praying Church
**Be sure to check for bulk discounts for group orders.
Additional Resources:
• Please be sure to check out the Supplemental Materials at the end of each lesson for additional articles, videos, etc. on the topics.
• At the end of the last lesson, you will also see two additional resources: Go Deeper, which will give you opportunities to take a deeper dive into what you have been learning, and More Resources, which will take you to Harvest Prayer Ministries’ website, and give you links to two FREE resources to help enhance and inform your prayer life. These resources are also available under Resources at PayerU.com.
“Even Jesus, as the Son of Man, had to ask in order to receive. Prayer is the key for human participation in the works of God.”
David Butts
(Forgotten Power: A Simple Theology for a Praying Church)
“Time spent in prayer will yield more than that given to work. Prayer alone gives work its worth and its success. Prayer opens the way for God Himself to do His work in and through us. Let our chief work as God’s messengers be intercession; in it we secure the presence and power of God to go with us.”
Andrew Murray
We are excited to have you join us for this course. When you are ready click the “Start Course” button.