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Bible Study: Glorifying God in prayer


NASHVILLE (BP) – This weekly Bible study appears in Baptist Press in a partnership with LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Through its Leadership and Adult Publishing team, LifeWay publishes Sunday School curricula and additional resources for all age groups.

This week’s Bible study is adapted from the Explore the Bible curriculum.

Bible Passages: Isaiah 37:14-20, 30-35

Discussion Questions:

– Who do you turn to first when facing a challenge or difficulty? What have they done in the past to warrant your contacting them first?

– How does approaching God with a bold request demonstrate confidence in Him?

Food for thought:

When I faced a difficulty or challenge, I called my dad. I could describe the sound my car was making, and he could tell me the issue so I could fix it. Even with things I knew he knew nothing about, I would still call him. Once I became a dad, my children did the same thing. I am not sure why they thought I knew how to do some of the things they asked about, but that did not stop them from calling. We could at least figure it out together.

Part of the reason I called my dad and my kids call me is because of trust. We simply trust dads to know how to help us face a challenge or get out of a tough spot.

In Isaiah 37, we find Hezekiah turning to God when facing a challenge. Sennacharib had issued a challenge, and Hezekiah asked God to defend Jerusalem as a demonstration that He alone is God. The king of Judah based his prayer on the Lord’s character and identity, not on his or the people’s righteousness. Hezekiah’s prayer reflected his desire to glorify God rather than pursue his own agenda. God’s people needed His help. Hezekiah acknowledged his weakness and inability to do what only God could do. A display of God’s power would prove Sennacherib’s claim as false: Judah’s God is unlike the powerless idols of other nations.

Like Hezekiah, we should first be willing to take our needs and concerns before the Lord. God sees our hearts when we pray. We are to approach Him with reverence, humility and sincere motives. God is committed to keeping His covenant relationship with those who are His, even when they rebel against His commands. The Bible promises to extend mercy and grace to those who humbly and confidently approach God in prayer (Hebrews 4:16). We are to anticipate and be alert to God’s response to our prayers. We are to trust God to answer according to His timing, will and purposes, knowing that He alone is worthy of all the credit.

Explore the Bible

Explore the Bible is an ongoing Bible study curriculum that helps groups dig into the key truths of each Bible book, while keeping the group on pace to study through the Bible books in a systematic way. More information can be found at LifeWay.com/ExploreTheBible.

Other ongoing Bible study options for all ages offered by LifeWay can be found at LifeWay.com/SundaySchool or ordered at LifeWay Christian Resources.

    About the Author

  • Staff/Lifeway Christian Resources