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Learning to Pray with Joy
Learning to pray with joy often means that you are working through your own sorrow and suffering, trying to give it over to God. Tears can be a sign of God’s cleansing presence as you give your pain to Him. Your emotions can ebb and flow, but the truth of God’s Word is eternal.
1. Read Philippians 3:1. What are you instructed to do? Why?
2. Read Philippians 3:2–9. What do you learn from Paul’s reflections?
3. Read Philippians 3:10–11. How do you suffer with Christ?
4. Read Philippians 3:12–14. How is God speaking to you through these verses?
5. Read Psalm 22:23–25. How does God treat those who suffer? What is our response?
6. Read Psalm 119:71. How does God use suffering in our lives?
7. Read James 5:10–11. What do you learn from the example of Job?
8. Read 2 Corinthians 6:4–10. What do you learn from Paul’s suffering?
9. Read 2 Corinthians 7:10–11. What does godly sorrow produce in our lives?
Being Transformed through Prayer
The transformation process in our lives is both instantaneous and ongoing. Our regeneration is a free gift from God. Our discipleship process is a daily choice to obey God and be transformed as we renew our minds by His Word and through prayer.
10. Read Romans 5:6–11. What did Jesus do when we were helpless?
11. Read 2 Corinthians 5:17. What happens when we come to Christ?
12. Read Romans 12:1–2. What does it mean to be a living sacrifice? How does God transform the way we think?
13. Read 2 Corinthians 10:3–5. What is required of us in these verses? How do we take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ?
14. How does changing the way you think impact how you feel?
Learning from Jesus
Jesus gives us a divine exchange. He suffered and died for our sake so that we can have an eternal future without suffering. He’s the One who replaces our sadness with His joy.
15. Read Hebrews 12:1–2. What did Jesus do because of the joy awaiting Him?
16. Read John 16:20–22. What does Jesus promise you in these verses?
17. Read John 17:9–16. What do you learn from Jesus’ prayer for us?
18. Read Luke 22:41–43. What do you learn from Jesus’ prayer for himself?
19. Read Revelation 21:1–7. What is the promise in your eternal future?
Praying with Confidence, Boldness, and Grace
We have so many examples from giants of the faith on how to pray. When we begin to pray, we may feel overwhelmed, but as we pray our suffering is replaced with His confidence, boldness, and grace. We are empowered to follow Jesus as our prime example when we pray. The Holy Spirit will help us even when we are weak.
20. Read Romans 8:17–25. What do you learn about suffering in these verses?
21. Read Romans 8:26–28. How does the Holy Spirit help in your weakness?
22. Read 2 Corinthians 1:3–7. What does God promise you in these verses?
23. Read James 5:13–16. What do you learn about the power of prayer in these verses?
24. Read James 5:17–18. What do you learn about confidence in prayer from Elijah?
Replacing Sadness with Joy
Sadness and sorrow are a part of the broken condition of humanity.
While we are on this earth we will suffer sickness and setbacks.
Learning to Pray with Joy
Joy is a choice to embrace the truth of our eternal promise in the midst of difficult situations. Joy overwhelms sadness little by little. Like the sunshine breaking out after a dreary, rain-soaked day, joy radiates hope. To learn to pray with joy requires you to think positively and choose to receive God’s comfort.
25. Write down a timeline of your life. Include the difficult times of suffering that you have experienced. Also include ways that God brought you comfort in the midst of your suffering. You can illustrate your timeline using different colors to represent sadness and joy.
Extending God’s Grace
If you don’t have a prayer group, grow in your prayer life by gathering women to study and pray together. There is power in united prayer to break the Enemy’s attack on our lives. God’s grace will be extended to you as you experience His love and acceptance from others in the body of Christ.
Bonus Video: Have you ever laughed through your tears? Watch this chapter’s bonus video at www.SueDetweiler.com.
26. Share one difficult time in your life. How did the Holy Spirit bring comfort to you? (Be specific.) Are you dealing with sadness or depression right now? How can we pray for you?