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Session 5: Unanswered Prayer

“Your will be done”

In this session we’ll be tackling the challenges and realities when our prayers aren’t answered.

Watch Session
Downloads: Video: HD (578MB)  /  SD (219MB) Small Group Guide PDF

Small Group Study Guide

1. Introduce the Session

5 minutes

 Key verse 
“Your will be done” – Matthew 6:10 
  • In this session we’ll be tackling the challenges and realities when our prayers aren’t answered. 
  • Begin the session by opening in prayer. 

2. Watch the Video

20 minutes

 Bible passages 
Mark 14:32-36, Daniel 3, Romans 5:3-5 

Summary points 

  • The Bible is honest about unanswered prayer – we are part of a faith that is all about wrestling. 
  • God’s world, God’s war, God’s will. 
  • God’s silence is not the same as his absence.

3. Discussion Questions

20 minutes

Q. What did you find most helpful or most challenging in the video? 
Q. How has the reality of unanswered prayer affected your relationship with God? 
Q. Have you ever felt God’s silence/absence in seasons of your life and faith? How did you respond? 

Pete says, “We are part of a faith that is all about wrestling”. 



Q. How do you think we can get better, as communities, at dealing with the realities and challenges of unanswered prayer? 
Q. How can we encourage one another in “faithfulness” as well as “faith”? 


4. Do it

15 minutes

Pete says that, “Even when we don’t understand, we can still trust”. Take time to stop, pause and recommit to trusting God together as a group. You might like to play some worship music and spend time sitting and reflecting. 

Leader’s note 
If this is a difficult step for members of your group, you might like to pray specifically into their situation, or you might like to read a Psalm of Lament together (see the Toolshed for instructions and directions on this). 

Toolshed Resources: Unanswered Prayer

These can be found at prayercourse.org/toolshed

  • The Prayer of Relinquishment

  • How to Lament

Downloads: Video: HD (578MB)  /  SD (219MB) Small Group Guide PDF Video Embed Code