We Gather together to pray and seek the Lord. These groups are meant build a culture of prayer and community within our church body. Prayer Groups will be structured out of The Prayer of Faith in James 5. In this chapter James encourages believers with 5 specific points when praying together. 1. Praising God 2. Confession of Needs 3. Confession of Sin 4. Praying for the Impossible 5. Praying for salvation for the Lost. These five points will be the basis of all Prayer Groups.

The Group size and meeting rhythm may look different from group to group. Your group should be from 2-10 people and meet in your immediate community. If the group begins to grow beyond 10 people the group should go to form another Prayer Groups. When and where your Prayer Group meets is up to the group to decide and the frequency of your meetings should be at least on a bi-weekly basis.

Prayer Groups are meant to be organic. When starting a group, remember that all it takes is you and another person. Here are the key things to consider: Who has God placed around you? What neighborhoods has God placed you in? These questions should be the lens that you look through when starting a group. In other words, if you are not already in a prayer group, where has God placed you and who has He placed around you? Answer those questions and then start your group.

See questions posted online/sent via email from Sunday’s sermon.

For each sermon, a set of questions will be created to used in prayer groups. This is part of our discipleship process at Refuge. Having God’s Word that was communicated on Sunday to the body, in conjunction with the scripture reading guide and then these questions for the Lord to continue to form us as a congregation or body.

James 5:16, Confess yours sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Because of your sin, Jesus had to die and suffer the punishment that was meant for you. Confess your sin to God and one another. Then pray that the Lord would forgive and renew you. He died so you could live. 

Confession is a valued part of our prayer groups! A time to confront our sin, be reminded of God’s mercy and forgiveness and grow as a body in righteousness.

1. How did you feed yourself?  
2. How did you feed others? 
3. How did you feed your flesh? 

Who leads each Prayer group? This is not a Bible study so no one will or should be teaching the group. We will provide a prayer guide each month that will give each group what it needs to pray together.
…that will give each group the structure it needs to meet and pray together.” 

What is the structure and what do we pray? Every month we will have a prayer guide that walks you through specific things to pray together. Each guide will be structured to follow the prompt from James 5. Praise, confession of need, confession of sin, prayer for the impossible, prayer for the lost.

How do I find a Prayer Group? Groups are meant to be formed organically with people around you and in your immediate context. If you are not part of a Prayer Group, Church leadership will not place you in one rather encourage you to look who is in your neighborhood and either join one or start one. All it takes is you and one other.

Is this a small group or community group? No. Prayer Groups are not meant to be Bible studies. Rather they are meant to be groups where we gather to pray and seek the Lord. These groups are meant to build a strong culture of prayer and community in our church.

How long does my group meet? There is no required time limit for your group. The time spent together should be decided and agreed upon by the group itself. Each Prayer group will look different. As long as you are spending intentional time praying together then we believe you are doing right.

Where does my group meet? This will be decided by each Prayer Group itself. The group should meet where they feel is best and they can successfully pray together with minimal distractions. This could be, in homes, parks, coffee shops, or even over Zoom. *Special Note* Praying over Zoom can be convenient and good for a short time but we encourage groups to meet in person when they can.

Do I have to be a member of Refuge Church to be in a Prayer Group? No. In fact, if you are starting a prayer group, we would encourage you to invite your neighbors.

What if I need prayer for something that I am uncomfortable sharing in a group setting? Confessing needs and and confessing sin can be intimidating and requires trust. NO ONE WILL BE REQUIRED TO SHARE anything they feel uncomfortable with. However, being honest and confessing sin is biblical and a huge part of walking in the light. If there is something difficult you need to share that may be uncomfortable to share in your Prayer Group, we would encourage you to reach out to Pastor Josh or an Elder of the Church.

Scripture Reading: James 5:13-20, Matthew 6:5-15

• Group share: A time when you experienced answered prayer. 
• Group share: A time when you experience unanswered prayer. 
• Group share: A time when you experienced a prayer answered in an unexpected way. 
• Group share: How has prayer impacted your life? 
• Group share: How has prayer impacted your relationships with God? 

Prayer Prompts:

1. Praise: Take a few moments to praise God for where he has placed you and that He is with you always. Those that are in Jesus Christ have the same promised that he made the disciples in Mathew 28: “I am with you always.” 
2. Confess Your Needs and Pray for Each Other: What areas in your spiritual life do you need to grow in. How can the Lord help you, your family, and your friends grow as disciples. Pray for each other.
3. Confess Sin: In what ways have you failed to walk in obedience to Christ. Have you been walking with the Lord faithfully. Have you been making disciples in your home, neighborhood, and city? Confess your sin to God and one another. Then pray that the Lord would forgive and renew you. 1 John 1:9 says “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
4. Pray for the Impossible: What in your life seems impossible? Pray that God would do something so radical and impossible in you and your family that the only possibility is that God moved.
5. Prayer for Lost: Pray for family, friends, and neighbors that do not know the Jesus. Pray that Jesus was save the and transform the lost.

Scripture Reading: Romans 5:1-11, 2 Corinthians 5:21

• Group Share: What is the Gospel in your words? 
• Group Share: Why does the Gospel matter to both believers and non-believers? 
• Group Share: Why is it important to remind ourselves of the Gospel daily?
• Group Share: Is the Gospel hard for you to accept/remember? 
• Group Share: When did you first begin to understand the Gospel? 

Prayer Prompts:

1. Praise: Take time to give God praise for the gospel. God sent Jesus to live the life you could not live and die the death that you deserve. He did this because He love you, even though you were still in sin. Worship Him for the beauty of the gospel. 
2. Confess Your Needs and Pray for Each Other: Confess to each other if you struggle to believe the gospel. Pray that you would be desperate for God to show you that you are a great sinner but also that He is a great and glorious savior. 
3. Confess Sin: Because of your sin, Jesus had to die and suffer the punishment that was meant for you. Confess your sin to God and one another. Then pray that the Lord would forgive and renew you. He died so you could live. 
4. Pray for the Impossible: What in your life seems impossible? Who in your life seems to far gone. Pray that God would do something so radical and impossible that the only possibility is that God moved. 
5. Prayer for Lost: The gospel literally means good news. We were dead and lost in our sin and Christ came, and made us alive. The gospel transforms everyone and everything. Pray that this great news would radically transform your neighborhood, city, nation, and world.

Scripture Reading: Psalm 126, 127 & Deuteronomy 6:4-9
 

• Group Share: What does your “quite time,” or devotional time with the Lord look like? 
• Group Share: What things help to spend time with the Lord at home? 
• Group Share: What things does your family do, or have you experienced in terms of spending time with the Lord together at /family devotions? 
• Group Share: How are you encouraging the faith in others in your home? 
• Group Share: What are you currently praying for your children/future children? 

Prayer Prompts: 

1. Praise: Take a few moments to praise God for where he has placed you and that He is with you always. Spend time praising God for your home, what He has given you, what He has provided to you and praise Him for those in your life. 
2. Confess Your Needs and Pray for Each Other: What areas of discipleship do you need to grow in? How can the Lord help you, your family, and your friends grow as disciples. Pray for each other. Where do you need the Lord’s help at home?
3. Confess Sin: In what ways have you failed to walk in obedience to Christ. Have you been walking with the Lord faithfully. Have you been making disciples in your home? Confess your sin to God and one another. Then pray that the Lord would forgive and renew you. 1 John 1:9 says “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
4. Pray for the Impossible: What in your home seems impossible right now? Who in your family is struggling or are you struggling to reach? Pray that God would do something so radical and impossible in you and your family that the only possibility is that God moved.
5. Prayer for Lost: Pray for family members in our life that do not follow Jesus or are far from Jesus. Pray that Jesus was save them and meet them where they are.

Scripture Reading: Mathew 28:16-20, Acts 1:6-11

• Group share: What does GO not grow mean? 
• Group share: What is your role in GO not grow?
• Group share: How might God want to see you GO?
• Group share: Share an impactful story for someone you know that was obedient to “GO.” 

Prayer Prompts: 

1. Praise: Take a few moments to praise God for those who were willing to GO to you with the Gospel. For the person or persons who brought you to Christ, give God praise! 
2. Confess Your Needs and Pray for Each Other: What areas in your life have you been more content to sit on the sidelines and grow rather GO? How can the Lord help you/your family, GO or live sent? Pray for each other.
3. Confess Sin: In what ways have you failed to GO in obedience to Christ when He has called you to? Have you been praying for and seeking opportunities in your home, neighborhood, and city to share the Gospel? Confess your sin to God and one another. Then pray that the Lord would forgive and renew you. 1 John 1:9 says “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
4. Pray for the Impossible: What in your life seems impossible? As in if God called you to do it, you would struggle to believe and obey? Maybe going on a mission trip, starting an orphanage, leading a prayer group or ministry.. Pray that God would do something so radical and impossible in you and your family that the only possibility is that God moved! And ask God to allow you to be part of that, to experience and be part of God dong the impossible.
5. Prayer for Lost: Pray for family, friends, and neighbors that do not know the Jesus. This is why we GO, to take the Gospel to those who have NEVER HEARD!!Pray that Jesus was save and use you lead others to Christ. Pray for courage and boldness.

Scripture Reading: Exodus 3, Jeremiah 1, Acts 6:1-7

• Group Share: Why does membership in a church matter? 
• Group Share: How does membership lead us to mission? 
• Group Share: What “mission” have you always desired or sought to be part of? 
• Group Share: What does it look like for a Church to be on mission together? 

Prayer Prompts:

1. Praise: Take a few moments to praise God for where he has placed you in the city, this church and your neighborhood. God was at work in placing you in these spaces long before we knew what He was up to. Praise God for His foreknowledge . Praise God for your Church, the church leaders and what God is doing in your Church.
2. Confess Your Needs and Pray for Each Other: What areas in your church life do you need to grow, serve or have you come complacent? How can the Lord help you be more committed to His Church so that you might be more in mission? Pray for each other. 
3. Confess Sin: In what ways have you failed to walk in obedience to Christ in mission? Are you open and available to the mission God has for you? Have you been making disciples in your home, neighborhood, and city? Confess your sin to God and one another. Then pray that the Lord would forgive and renew you. 1 John 1:9 says “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 
4. Pray for the Impossible: What mission in your life seems impossible? Pray that God would do something so radical and impossible in and through missionally that only credit could go to God. 
5. Prayer for Lost: Pray for family, friends, and neighbors that do not know the Jesus. Pray that Jesus would save them, and make them members of His Church! Pray that God would help you see your mission to the lost.

Scripture Reading: Revelation 5

Prayer Prompts: 

1. Praise: Take a few moments to praise God for the diversity He has brought to Refuge! Praise God that we worship together, given all of our differences: culturally, politically, generationally, fandom, etc.. What God does in bringing His church together from all tribes, tongues and nations is a miracle. 
2. Confess Your Needs and Pray for Each Other: What areas in your walk with the Lord have been a struggle recently? How can the Lord help you, your family, and your friends grow as worshippers of Jesus more? Pray for each other.
3. Confess Sin: In what ways have you failed to walk in obedience to Christ recently? Are there areas or things the Lord might be trying to get your attention around when it comes to diversity? Maybe you don’t like different languages, or old/young people, etc.. The Lord may want to lead you to repentance in these areas, confess your sin to God and one another. Then pray that the Lord would forgive and renew 10 you. 1 John 1:9 says “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
4. Pray for the Impossible: What in your life seems impossible? What at our Church seems impossible? Pray that God would do something so radical and impossible that only He would receive the glory for it!
5. Prayer for Lost: Pray for family, friends, and neighbors that do not know the Jesus. Pray that God would use the diversity at Refuge to draw sinners to Himself and to salvation.

Scripture Reading:

Prayer Prompts:

1. Praise: Take a few moments to praise God for where he has placed you and that He is with you always. Those that are in Jesus Christ have the same promised that he made the disciples in Mathew 28: “I am with you always.” 
2. Confess Your Needs and Pray for Each Other: What areas in your spiritual life do you need to grow in. How can the Lord help you, your family, and your friends grow as disciples. Pray for each other.
3. Confess Sin: In what ways have you failed to walk in obedience to Christ. Have you been walking with the Lord faithfully. Have you been making disciples in your home, neighborhood, and city? Confess your sin to God and one another. Then pray that the Lord would forgive and renew you. 1 John 1:9 says “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 11
4. Pray for the Impossible: What in your life seems impossible? Pray that God would do something so radical and impossible in you and your family that the only possibility is that God moved.
5. Prayer for Lost: Pray for family, friends, and neighbors that do not know the Jesus. Pray that Jesus was save the and transform the lost.

Prayer Groups are often hit and miss during the summer, so please still consider gathering and praying, but there is no prayer prompt provided for June and July.