PRAYER - Keep praying...be persistent in prayer!

SCRIPTURE
James 4:8 | Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.

Luke 11:5-13 | Then, teaching them more about prayer, he used this story: Suppose you went to a friends house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You say to him, A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat. And suppose he calls out from his bedroom, Do not bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are all in bed. I can’t help you. But I tell you this - though he will not do it for friendships sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence. And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. You fathers - if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.

Jeremiah 29:11-14 | For I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you, says the LORD. I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.

DISCUSSION

1. What does it mean to seek God wholeheartedly? Do you seek God or draw close to Him wholeheartedly? Why or why not?
2. What are some other things that distract you from staying focused on God?
3. Why would God want us to be persistent in prayer, asking again, when He already knows everything we need? (What does prayer do for His followers?)
4. What does God promise for those who look for Him?
5. Do you want to be close to God? What are you doing about it?