Introduction

Prayer is our primary and most satisfying connection to God. It is acknowledging God for who He is in our relationship with Him. Seeking God in prayer is having the confidence that He can intervene in our lives. God loves and cares about our concerns and our thanksgiving praise to Him. It is beautiful to come to God in our adoration for Him. We pray to Him and tell Him how awesome He is. We can also go to Him to confess our sins. God hears and answers our prayers. God forgives our transgressions and wipes every tear from our eyes. Thanksgiving should be our most effortless prayer. We all have so much to be thankful for; it should just flow out of us like a river. Prayer is so important that even Jesus hid away to be with His Father. May Jesus be our example in life.

Activity

Explain that today’s activity will be reflective. Take thirty to forty minutes to complete this activity. Meet in a room where the women can have space for some private time, preferably where there are comfortable chairs. Purchase a writing journal for each person. Walmart or the dollar stores often have them. You will be guiding them through the SOAP method of prayer/journaling. This method will allow you to dig deeper into scripture and have the scripture come alive. The following explains what SOAP represents and that responses are reflective and meditative. Encourage everyone to journal a few SOAP prayers.

S: Scripture– Invite the women to choose a passage that stands out to them or is memorable. (A few examples are listed below.) Write the scripture in the journal under the letter “S.”

O: Observation– What did the reader observe in this passage? What is God saying today? Do I need to change my life to respond to this scripture?

A: Application-How can I apply the verse and observation in my life?

P: Prayer/Plan– Write a prayer and then a plan to go forward with what was revealed in this scripture passage.

Example of SOAP Journaling

Have these scripture verses on the table that the women can choose from if they have trouble picking a scripture.

S: Ephesians 6: 10-12 “Finally, be strong in the Lord in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

O: We need to put on our armor of God to take our stand against evil. I must acknowledge that evil influences are all around me, but God’s armor protects me. Sin is all around us, but God is more significant in his mighty power. He is the victor. (Ephesians 6:11).

A: Don’t pretend that evil does not exist or the devil does not exist. Be aware of the schemes. Daily, put on that armor and stand against the evil one. (Ephesians 6:12)

P: Plan-Daily put on the armor of God. (Ephesians 6:10)

Prayer-Lord, You are the Holy One; it is You that protects, and You that gives strength. Give me strength as I stand against the devil’s schemes. Please open my eyes to see things that are not of You.

Refreshments/ Room Set Up

Have hot tea and coffee available while the women are journaling. Play soft Christian instrumental music. This will set the tone of a relaxed atmosphere.

Growth

Scripture: “Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” ( Mark 11:24).

Grow taller–Ask in prayer

We are to pray to God and ask for whatever we need. God tells us to ask in prayer no matter the circumstance, whether prayer is too small or too big. Matthew 6:9 tells us how to pray: “Our Father in heaven hallowed by your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.” Our prayers should not be selfish but within the will of God. We are to ask according to His will and His plan. Don’t get discouraged if God does not answer your prayers in the way you think He should. He is listening and responding according to His will.

Grow deeper–in faith

Faith is an active trust in God. We believe that results in action. Faith is instituted when we trust Jesus for the first time in salvation. It is faith that gets us through challenging situations. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” We are to pray and then believe that we have received that for which we are praying. Faith will allow you to grow deeper in your spiritual life. You will become more dependent on Him. Sing for joy as you grow deeper in faith.

Prayer

Father, we see You as our purpose in life and our everlasting Father. You are good. We pray that in our prayer life, we will continue to seek you every day. Prayer is a deliberate action of seeking Your face. We want Your blessings, Father, but we also want to give You glory. May we grow taller in prayer, reaching to You, Lord. May we grow in ways we cannot understand. Give us a hunger for You, Lord, to seek and pray to You. For our faith, please help us continue to trust You in all we do. May we grow deeper in our faith. True faith in You is trust. The trust that you will give us big dreams only You can fill. We trust You with all our heart, mind, and soul today. For You, O Lord, all the honor, glory, praise, and power. Amen.