1. Be Real

Take a few minutes to catch up, tell stories, and laugh together. Trust and friendship take time to build. As you launch your new DNA, one person should tell their story — what do we need to know about you? Next week, another person will share their story.

2. Grow Together

The primary ways we grow together are to dig into scripture, point each other to Jesus and give encouragement. This week, we’re getting on the same page around prayer.

What is Prayer?

Most people define prayer as simply, “Talking with God.” However, prayer is a back and forth conversation that comes out of a depth of relationship. Prayer is a summary word for all of our relationship with the Father.

That’s why prayer was such a huge part of Jesus’ life. We read he, “often withdrew into lonely places and prayed.” (Luke 5:16) And for Jesus, prayer wasn’t a drag or a duty. He seems to genuinely enjoy his Father’s company. I think that’s why the disciples asked Jesus, “Teach us to pray.” (Luke 11:1) Jesus’ answer was “the Lord’s prayer,” which we’ll use below as a template to learn to pray from.

Read this together: Luke 11:1-4

Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” And he said to them, “When you pray, say:

“Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

To help us learn to pray and enjoy relationship with God, let’s pray through Jesus’ prayer for ourselves:

Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name…
Remember that God is your Father and creator. He has good plans for you. You can list things (out loud) that you’re thankful for that come from him. You can joyfully worship him. You can enjoy silence with him.

May your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven…
Ask for God’s will and goodness to be made real in your life, the people you know, and the place you live. Pray specifically - use your brain and heart. Ask him to affect the things you can’t control.

Give us this day our daily bread…
Ask for specific needs to be provided for in your life. This is a perfect moment to ask God to help with someone else’s need in your DNA.

Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors…
Ask God to forgive your sin, thank him for paying your price on the cross. Give forgiveness to others who’ve hurt you.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil…
Ask for help and victory over sin that you keep coming back to. Pray for protection and freedom from the evil so pervasive in our world.

3. Next Steps

Make a plan - How will we keep in touch for prayer during the week? A simple group text often sets a DNA up for prayerfulness.

Additional Recommended Resources

Listen to our podcast on prayer
Prayer — Tim Keller
Practicing the Way: Prayer - Bridgetown Church
*Lots of Bridgetown’s content informed this guide