Here are some questions to help you process this message and apply it to your life:

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” (Matthew 6:5-8)

1. If you were sent to your room as a kid, what led to you being sent there?

2. “And when you pray…” Jesus is assuming that those listening & following him (back then and today) are praying. When do you find you tend to pray? Regularly? Mostly as a last resort?

3. How does the idea of rewards influence your motivation for prayer? How can we ensure that our motivations for prayer are aligned with seeking God's will, rather than seeking personal rewards?

4. Garry described how the conversations he and his wife had during the chaos of the day were different from the conversations they had when they were alone with no distractions or interruptions. Discuss the idea of prayer as a personal and intimate conversation with God. How does the truth that you are able to talk with God (the creator of everything, including you!) anytime, anywhere, without an appointment impact you?

5. How does hearing someone pray using big fancy words and phrases make you feel? “And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.” Garry told how those words of Jesus took the pressure off because he came to the realisation that he didn’t have to use big words or fancy phrases when he talked with God. He could just be himself. How do those words of Jesus impact you?

6. How does knowing that God already knows what you need before you ask him, change your understanding of prayer? We heard in the message that the important part of prayer isn’t the requests, it's the relationship. Do you agree or disagree, and why?

7. What else stood out for you in this message? Take time this week to reflect on these words from Jesus and look at what changes or adjustments you might make in your own prayer practices to make them better.