The Lord’s Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer 

To view the Leader Guide for this week, click here.

To view a .docx version of this guide, click here.

Introduction 

Last week, we discussed the story of a woman coming into the home of a Pharisee who Jesus was having dinner with so she could wash and anoint Jesus’ feet which caused the Pharisee to question Jesus’ validity and their interaction. This story showed us that we can experience the love of God when we love others. 

During the “Apply” section last week, everyone was encouraged to write down specific action steps they would work on throughout the week. Take some time to discuss how that went with the group. 

This week we will be discussing Jesus’ teaching on how to pray, which is commonly referred to as “The Lord’s Prayer”. 

First, however, begin your meeting in prayer for God’s blessing over this time with your group.

Connect  

  • Would you rather have a long conversation made up of “small talk” or a short conversation that is intentional? 
  • What is a word/phrase that you use in conversation but don’t realize you’re using it? 
  • Have you ever been talking with someone who is not engaged or invested in the conversation? What does that feel like? 
    • What do you think helps make a conversation actually meaningful? 

Opening Thought 

Prayer can easily take a quiet backseat in our lives if we let it. We can also forget about the purpose of prayer if we are not careful. When we focus on connecting with God rather than the expectations of others, however, we can see that prayer is more than just blindly communicating, it becomes a meaningful conversation that helps us worship and trust God, as well as reflect on what he is trying to tell us.  

This leads us to our main idea for this week:  

Main idea for the week

We can flourish in our prayer life when we focus on God, not others.  

Here’s where we are this week

The story we are looking at today comes from a section called “The Sermon on the Mount”, which is a long teaching Jesus gives that outlines how those who follow him should live out their faith. The section we are reading comes immediately after Jesus has taught about how his disciples should live a life of integrity, kindness, goodness, forgiveness, peacefulness, compassion, and living with God as the focal point. At this point he turns to speaking about how to love God by seeking his approval, instead of others, specifically through prayer.  

Unpack 

Read each set of verses out loud as a group, making observations as you go. Afterward discuss each of the connected questions before moving to the next set of verses: 

Read  

Matthew 6:5-18 

Unpack 

  • If one of the main callings for Christians is to be open about our faith, what is the purpose of being by yourself when you pray?  
    • Why do you think Jesus teaches that this is better? 
  • Jesus says in the verses we just read together that we should be direct in our prayers to God, instead of simply repeating things over and over, because “your Father know exactly what you need even before you ask him”. 
    • What are some “filler” words or phrases that people (including yourself) might say within church culture today during prayer? (i.e.: saying God’s name before/after every sentence we say) 
      • Why is praying this way unhelpful?  
    • Why is praying so important if God already knows what we need? 
  • Reflect on the template for prayer Jesus provides for his disciples, which is commonly called “The Lord’s Prayer”.  
    • What is the general outline of the template?  
    • What subject does Jesus focus on when illustrating how to pray?  
      • How does this template and focus Jesus provides match up to how we pray? 
        • How can the Lord’s Prayer guide the way you think about your prayer life? How can it help you think about and interact with God outside of prayer? 
  • How does the Lord’s Prayer teach us about the importance of praise, requests, and confessions of what we’ve done wrong in our prayer lives? 
  • What does Jesus seem to be believe is most important in how you interact with God? 
    • How does Jesus’ teachings on sincerity in worship affect the way you currently live out your faith in God? 
      • How do we balance outwardly expressing your faith with being authentic in your relationship with God, according to Jesus’ teachings in this section? 
    • How does the concept of God seeing what is done in secret influence your approach to acts of righteousness? 
  • How does Jesus’ teaching on prayer and fasting apply to other aspects of how we should live out our spiritual life? 

Apply 

Based on the verses we just read, there are some things that we can do in response. Take a moment to discuss these questions as a group to decide what your personal action steps for the week can be: 

  • What steps will you take to evaluate any areas you might lack authenticity in the way you follow Jesus?  
    • After evaluating yourself, how will you then practically apply Jesus’ teachings on sincere worship in your day-to-day faith journey? 
  • How will we as a group seek authenticity in the way we grow in our relationship with Jesus?  
    • How will we keep each other accountable to the goal of not only praying and fasting well, but also to living a life focused on Jesus and his plans? 

Closing 

Read the first section to your group, then read the verse out loud to the group, and finally, move to the Prayer and Verses section: 

Prayer, if we are not careful, can become a mindless part of our lives where we do it out of obligation instead of a desire to talk to God. Yet, when we prioritize our connection with God over the opinions of others, we unlock its true potential. Prayer is not merely about words; it’s a heartfelt exchange that deepens our worship and fosters trust in God. This week, try to start using prayer to reflect on His guidance and presence in your lives to grow in your relationship with him. 

Prayer and Verses 

Ask for prayer requests and conclude your time with prayer then share the Key Verse for the Week and Daily Devotional Verses with the group. 

Thematic Reflection Verse for the Week  

*Read this verse, then encourage the practice of memorization through the week. 

1 Chronicles 16:11 

“Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him.” 

**When practiced consistently, memorizing Bible verses can be an important spiritual practice that centers your mind around the truth that God has given us. 

Daily Devotional Verses  

Use the S.O.A.P. method to reflect on the verses below. 

Scripture: Read the verses several times. Reading out loud can be helpful as well. 
Observation: What can you see about the scripture you read? 
Application: What is God wanting you to believe, do, or feel, based on what you have read? 
Prayer: This is a chance to talk to God about what you have read and ask him for help in living out what you’ve learned. 

Day 1: Hebrews 4:16 

Day 2: 1 Timothy 2:1-2 

Day 3: Mark 11:25 

Day 4: Psalm 141:2  

Day 5: 1 Peter 4:7 

Day 6: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

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PAUL & HOLLY ZWIERZYNSKI

  • Translating the Bible Support
  • North Carolina

Paul and Holly Zwierzynski serve at the JAARS Center in Waxhaw, North Carolina, where they support Bible translation efforts around the world. Paul specializes in solar power and computer networking. He helps missionaries use low-power computers in remote areas and sets up reliable internet connections using tools like satellite and radio links. His work has supported over 180 field sites, allowing translation teams to collaborate across long distances. Holly works in the translation office as a project assistant. She helps develop Old Testament translation guides and reference materials used by Bible translators worldwide. Before moving to North Carolina, Paul and Holly served in Cameroon, where their passion for this work first began.

JERRY & BETH TUCKER

  • Caring for Christian Workers
  • Southern California

Jerry and Beth help prepare new missionaries for the field by leading orientation, providing training, building teams, and offering mentorship during the first year of overseas service. They serve with Wycliffe, a Bible translation organization, and bring years of experience to this important work. Their work began in 1995 in the Philippines, where they served as dorm parents and teachers. Both Jerry and Beth grew up at Journey of Faith, and the church has been supporting their ministry for 30 years. They remain committed to serving for many years to come.

TOM SHECK

  • Youth Development
  • South Bay

 Tom serves as the South Bay Director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. His goal is to see lives changed through the influence of athletes and coaches on middle school and high school campuses. FCA focuses on values like integrity, serving, teamwork, and excellence. The ministry equips students and coaches to grow in their faith and lead others by starting small group gatherings on campus, known as “Huddles.” These groups become places of encouragement, leadership, and spiritual growth within the school community.

CODY & LEXI SCRIVENS

  • Meeting Community and Church Needs
  • Dublin, Ireland

 Cody and Lexie are serving in Ireland, partnering with a local church to build relationships and share the message of Jesus. Their work takes place in a culture shaped by both deep religious tradition and growing secularism. Navigating this tension is challenging, especially in light of Ireland’s complex religious history, but they remain committed to reaching people who often feel distant from faith.

BRYAN & JACINDA MARTIN

  • Meeting Community Needs
  • Philippines

 The Martin family is planting churches in the Philippines through World Team. One of the key ways they serve is by caring for creation. They work with vulnerable communities that are struggling as natural resources become scarce. By teaching sustainable practices for managing the environment, they help meet practical needs while also creating space to share about God’s design for humanity and introduce people to the Creator.

BARBARA LEE

  • Caring for Christian Workers
  • San Diego, CA

Barbara supports missionary families by helping their children access quality education and navigate the many transitions that come with cross-cultural life. She currently leads the Indonesia MK (Missionary Kid) Care and Education Team, providing guidance, resources, and support for families across the region. In late 2025, she will join the U.S.-based MK Care and Education Team, where she will train new missionaries, equip education consultants, offer academic testing, and provide personalized educational help for families preparing to serve.

K & L

  • Starting New Churches
  • Southeast Asia

L and K are working to start churches among ten large, unreached, and unengaged people groups in Southeast Asia. They also lead a growing team that has expanded from 11 to 22 units since the pandemic, increasing their reach and impact in the region.

TIM & ERICKA HARRIS

  • Caring for Christian Workers
  • Oregon

 Tim and Ericka Harris understand the preparation, training, and lifelong commitment it takes to serve in missions. Their work has included cross-cultural ministry throughout Latin America, including eight years living and serving in Costa Rica with their family. Out of a desire to support those serving in demanding ministry roles, they provide pastoral care to missionaries, pastors, and ministry leaders around the world. Through their R.E.S.T. initiative—Retreat, Encouragement, Safety, and Transformation—they offer spaces for leaders on every major continent to step away, recharge, and return to their work with renewed strength and clarity.

MARK & BRENDA HALL

  • Starting New Churches
  • Guadalajara, Mexico

Mark and Brenda Hall moved to Guadalajara, Mexico, in 2018, where Mark now serves as a teaching pastor at English Fellowship. The church brings together people from different cultures, backgrounds, and denominations, serving both international residents and Mexican nationals living in the city for work. Although their focus is now in Mexico, they remain connected to their previous work in Guatemala, where they spent 18 years investing in the lives of young people. Their move to Guadalajara opens new doors to build relationships, support the local community, and share the message of Jesus in meaningful and relevant ways.

RICH FRAZER

  • Developing Indigenous Pastors
  • Nepal and North India

The Fraziers serve with an organization called SOS, which stands for Spiritual Overseers Service International. Rick serves as the president and helps lead the organization’s three core objectives. The first is evangelism, which focuses on spreading the message of Jesus. The second is discipleship, aimed at strengthening the global Church. And the third is compassion, which means meeting the physical and spiritual needs of fellow believers. The Fraziers train Christian leaders and partner with Tabernacle Ministries in Nepal and North India. Through this work, SOS is mentoring more than 100 leaders who are reaching urban migrants with God’s love.

MARK & LISA DENEUI

  • Developing Indigenous Pastors
  • France

 Mark is a Bible teacher focused on the New Testament who trains church leaders and church planters in French-speaking Europe. Lisa teaches English as a Foreign Language and French, using her skills to build relationships and serve the local community while sharing her faith. Together, Mark and Lisa serve with a network of church plants in the city of Strasbourg. They are committed to making Christ’s love known by partnering with the local French church to love their neighbors, share the gospel, and disciple new believers.

D & J

  • Meeting Community Needs
  • Southeast Asia

D and J are building relationships with an unreached people group in Southeast Asia. Their hope is to see a new community of believers grow through intentional disciple-making and personal connection.

JOSEPH BRADFORD IV

  • Meeting Community Needs
  • Los Angeles, CA

Joseph launched his nonprofit, B.A.R.E. Truth, Inc., in 2018 to serve individuals and families in Los Angeles facing homelessness, food insecurity, and other critical needs. Through mentorship, independent living support, housing assistance, and wellness services, Joseph and his team help people move toward healthier, purpose-filled lives. They also host weekly feeding events on Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles. B.A.R.E. stands for Balance, Ambition, Respect, and Encouragement.

BILL ANKERBERG

  • Developing Indigenous Pastors
  • Estonia

Bill leads a missions movement in the Nordic-Baltic region, focusing especially on Estonia, where fewer than 2% of people identify as Christian. His work includes supporting church planters, developing local leaders, strengthening compassion ministries, and mentoring pastors and missionaries across both the Baltics and Scandinavia. This ministry began in 2008 and continues to grow in reach and impact.

PAT & BETH ANDREWS

  • Bible Translation
  • Arlington, TX

 Pat serves with Seed Company, a subsidiary of Wycliffe Bible Translators, as Director of Field Projects for the Pacific Region and as a Translation Consultant. He helps oversee translation work in more than 60 languages, coordinating efforts across 11 organizations and 28 internships. Many of Pat’s teams are based in remote island communities, which often presents communication and travel challenges. Even so, Pat makes it a priority to visit his project teams and interns each year.

DENNIS & DENISE AHERN

  • Caring for Christian Workers
  • Washington State

Since 1992, the Aherns have provided counseling and care to missionaries in more than forty countries. They have a deep understanding of the unique needs, challenges, and opportunities that come with full-time ministry. Their commitment to supporting ministry workers led them to open a retreat center in Washington state called Selah Glen, where they host and lead pastoral care retreats. Through this work, the Aherns are able to care for those who spend their lives caring for others.

MIGUEL & MARIA ADAME

  • Church Planting
  • Baja Mexico

Pastor Miguel leads a growing church in Mexicali, Mexico, where he and his family have been serving the community since 2013. Their church runs weekly Bible studies, monthly outreach events, and provides a steady, welcoming presence in the neighborhood. In 2024, they opened a free private Christian elementary school that supports students with special needs or who are considered at-risk. Journey of Faith has partnered with this ministry through more than a dozen short-term mission trips.

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