Guided Question

Have you ever prayed for something and almost missed God’s answer because it didn’t come the way you expected?

Lesson Point

Sometimes we miss the miracle because it doesn’t look miraculous.

We expect thunder and light, but God often moves through whispers and small gestures.

He answers prayers through people, circumstances, and timing.

When we pray, God moves—but not always in the way we imagine.

And if we’re not paying attention, we can send the blessing away by rejecting what doesn’t look divine.

I Have Three Points for You Today

1. When We Pray, God Delivers — Acts 12:5–11

2. When We Pray, God Moves — John 14:12–14

3. When We Pray, God Draws Near — Psalm 34:15–19

As I Unpack Today’s Lesson,

Ask Yourself This Question

Have you ever prayed for something and almost missed God’s answer because it didn’t come the way you expected?

This lesson was brought to you by VT Adams Speaks — a progressive teaching series that focuses Christianity on Jesus’s way, helping believers grow deeper in understanding and stronger in purpose.

Prayer is not a single act but a continual rhythm of renewal, alignment, and desire — the daily practice that keeps our hearts connected to God.

Now, I have three points today

1. The Rhythm of Retreat — Withdrawing to Be Renewed

Luke 5:12–16 (NIV) Jesus teaches us to step away from the noise to be restored in quiet places. Prayer was His rhythm of renewal after ministry. Prayer as recovery and rest — not just request.

2. The Rhythm of Decision — Aligning with God’s Will

Luke 6:11–16 (NIV) Before any major decision, Jesus spent extended time in prayer. His practice shows that clarity comes through communion. Focus: Prayer as preparation for wisdom, direction, and discernment.

3. The Rhythm of Desire — Longing for God Continually

Psalm 63:1–8 (NIV) David shows that prayer is more than words — it’s the longing of the heart that seeks God morning, noon, and night.Focus: Prayer as lifes

John 14:12–14 Acts 12:5–11 Psalm 34:15–19

Prayer is not about informing God of our needs; it is about inviting Him into every part of our lives. We pray because it aligns our hearts with His, builds faith through action, and opens the door for healing, forgiveness, and restoration in our communities and within ourselves.

I have three points I want to share in today’s lesson.

Point 1 – Prayer in Every Circumstance James 5:13–15 We pray in times of trouble, joy, and sickness because prayer keeps us connected to God’s presence and reminds us that He is both our healer and our helper.

Point 2 – The Power of Righteous Prayer James 5:16–18 Summary: The prayers of those who walk with God carry power—not because of who we are, but because of who He is and what He can do through faith-filled, sincere prayer.

Point 3 – Prayer That Restores Others

Related Verse: James 5:19–20 Summary: Prayer reaches beyond our own lives to bring back those who have wandered from truth, helping to restore relationships and redeem hearts through God’s mercy.

Lesson Summary

In this second lesson of the Teach Us to Pray series, we explore the purpose behind prayer. Prayer is more than words—it is the heartbeat of our faith, connecting us to God’s presence, His will, and His transforming power. Through James 5:13–20, we see that prayer restores, strengthens, and redeems.

Guiding Question

Why do we pray, and what happens in us and through us when we do?

Lesson Point

Prayer is not about informing God of our needs; it is about inviting Him into every part of our lives. We pray because it aligns our hearts with His, builds faith through action, and opens the door for healing, forgiveness, and restoration in our communities and within ourselves.

I have three points I want to share in today’s lesson.

Point 1 – Prayer in Every Circumstance James 5:13–15 We pray in times of trouble, joy, and sickness because prayer keeps us connected to God’s presence and reminds us that He is both our healer and our helper.

Point 2 – The Power of Righteous Prayer James 5:16–18 Summary: The prayers of those who walk with God carry power—not because of who we are, but because of who He is and what He can do through faith-filled, sincere prayer.

Point 3 – Prayer That Restores Others

Related Verse: James 5:19–20 Summary: Prayer reaches beyond our own lives to bring back those who have wandered from truth, helping to restore relationships and redeem hearts through God’s mercy.

Closing Reflection

While I unpack this lesson, I want you to ask yourself: Why do I pray, and what does God want to accomplish through my prayers?

Wisdom Begins with God – Proverbs 1:7–9; 2:1–5; 3:5–7

How do we keep God at the center of all we do?

The fear — or reverence — of the Lord is not fearfulness but the foundation of a meaningful, purposeful life.

Growing up, I often heard the elders in church say,

“God is the head of my life.”

At the time, I thought I understood what that meant. But as I grew older, I realized it’s one thing to say it, and another thing to live it. Keeping God at the center requires daily surrender — it means giving Him the first word and the final say in every decision.

This lesson—“Teach Us to Pray: The Jesus Way”—begins our series The Way of Prayer. It’s designed to help us rediscover prayer the way Jesus taught His disciples to pray: with intimacy, humility, and alignment with God’s will.

Guiding Question When people pray, are they following Jesus’s way of prayer—beginning with relationship and reverence—or are they treating prayer as a wish list for their needs?

Jesus opens the Lord’s Prayer by reorienting our hearts. Before we ever ask for anything, He reminds us to start with relationship, reverence, and recognition—acknowledging who God is, where He reigns, and how He desires to be known.

True self-care is found in alignment—guarding our heart, walking wisely, and trusting God with our growth.

Think of your life like a car: when a car is out of alignment, it pulls to one side, wears down the tires, and becomes harder to steer. Even if it looks fine on the outside, the misalignment causes hidden damage over time. The same is true for us—if we’re not aligned with God’s wisdom, we drift, feel off-balance, and wear ourselves out trying to function in ways we weren’t designed for.

In Proverbs 4:23, we’re reminded that everything flows from the heart. So aligning with God means tending to what’s within—because what’s in us will eventually shape what flows from us.

I Have Three Points:

1. Guard the Inner Life – Proverbs 4:20–23 Protect what you take in and focus your heart on God’s truth because your life flows from it.
2. Stay on the Right Path – Proverbs 4:24–27 Watch your words, your focus, and your steps—wisdom helps keep your life steady and intentional.
3. Wisdom Brings Health & Peace – Proverbs 3:5–8 Trusting God over your own understanding leads to true well-being, inside and out.

Parenthood is not about control, but about guiding children toward wisdom, integrity, and trust in God.

As parents, guardians, or mentors, we are not called to control outcomes or manufacture perfection. Instead, we are called to train with patience, discipline with love, and model integrity so our children see God’s truth lived out. Like arrows in a quiver, children are meant to be aimed and released into the world with purpose—not held back in fear.

This Week’s Focus Parenthood – Guiding Arrows

Three Points for Today

1. Teach & Train with Patience – Proverbs 22:4–6 Training children is a lifelong investment; humility and consistency shape their future.

2. Discipline with Love – Proverbs 23:12–14 Correction done with love is protection—it gives hope and keeps children on the right path.

3. Model Integrity – Proverbs 20:6–7 Children inherit not just our words, but our ways. Integrity is the greatest legacy we can leave.

As we unpack today’s lesson, I want you to ask yourself: “How can I parent with both wisdom and grace, reflecting God’s love?”