Prayer changes everything. Believers can understand the power of prayer, but still struggle with the discipline of prayer. A strong prayer life is developed over time, by regular use, according to God’s Word, and through need. When God developed this discipline in Moses, He called him into an extended time of being in His presence. God said in Exodus 24:12, “Come up to Me on the mountain and stay there.” For 40 days and 40 nights, Moses stayed before God. During that time, he learned the value of silence, speaking, listening, waiting and obeying. Each part develops the discipline, and each part shows us how to “Stay at the Mountain.”
January 4, 2026
Paul Gotthardt
(# 1 in series)
Exodus 24:12-13
When we pray, we’ll face mountains of __ and mountains of __.
The three big themes of Exodus are __, covenant and __.
• God REDEEMS His people from bondage (Chapters 1-15).
• God forms His people through __ (Chapters 16-24).
• God brings His people into WORSHIP (Chapters 25-40).
Our primary text (Exodus 24:12-13) is in a section where Moses
was being positioned BY God to hear FROM God.
For Moses to be positioned to hear from God…
• He needed a heart to __.
• He needed to __ where God called.
• He couldn’t be concerned with __.
• He needed to delegate __.
• He needed to be __.
• He needed to be OK with __ and __.
• He couldn’t focus on his own __, his own __, or his own __.
• He had to be OK remaining in God’s __.
When people quit praying, you’ll often hear them say…
• I don’t see the __! It’s an __issue.
• I don’t have the __! It’s a __ issue.
• I don’t like what God __! It’s an __ issue.
• I don’t like what God __! It’s an __issue.
• I can do it __! It’s a __ issue.
• I don’t feel __ with God! It’s a __issue.
• I don’t like __! It’s a __ issue.
• I don’t like to __! It’s a __ issue.
• I don’t like the __! It’s a __ issue.
January 11, 2026
Paul Gotthardt
(# 2 in series)
Mark 11:21-24
Why is faith important to prayer? As we read Scripture, we find a
deep connection between faith and prayer or faith and miracles.
Why is that? Our focus today is to understand God’s desire for
faith and see where doubt is hindering our prayers.
Jesus used the cursing of the fig tree to illustrate 2 types of
condemnation:
He condemns __ without fulfillment.
He condemns profession without __.
What did Jesus teach the disciples about faith and prayer ?
__ your faith on God (v. 21-22).
__ your doubts to God (v. 23-24).
Why do Christians doubt God in prayer?
Distorted __
__ Answers
Deep __
__ from God
Divided __
__ Influence
We cannot doubt God’s __ and expect to walk in God’s __. Doubt speaks to our lack of faith, not God’s lack of __.
January 18, 2026
Paul Gotthardt
(# 3 in series)
Psalm 103:1-2
The book of Psalms is divided into 5 books or sections:
• Book 1: Psalms 1-41
• Book 2: Psalms 42-72
• Book 3: Psalms 73-89
• Book 4: Psalms 90-106
• Book 5: Psalms 107-150
There is a major emphasis on praising the Lord in the final 4 psalms of Book 4. We are to praise the Lord for…
• His __ to His people (Psalm 103)
• His care of His creation (Psalm 104)
• His wonderful __ on behalf of Israel (Psalm 105)
• His longsuffering with His people’s rebellion (Psalm 106)
Big Truth 1: We stop __ when we stop remembering.
Big Truth 2: When we stop remembering, we stop __.
What can we learn about praise that helps with forgetfulness?
• Praising God flows from your __ and incorporates your whole being (v.1-2).
• Praising God __ on His name and His many benefits (v.2).
o He forgives our sin (v.3).
o He heals our bodies (v.3).
o He redeems our lives (v.4).
o He crowns us with lovingkindness and compassion (v.4).
o He satisfies us with good things (v.5).
o He renews us with life and strength (v.5).
When we forget who God is and what God has done, we stop bringing new things to God in prayer for a number of reasons.
• Forgetting God leads to __. (Deuteronomy 8)
• Forgetting God leads to __ worship. (Psalm 50)
• Forgetting God leads to __ and __. (Psalm 106)
• Forgetting God led to practical __. (Isaiah 65)
Response/Reflection: What can we do to remember?
• Abide in a close relationship with Jesus (John 15:1-5).
• Consider the whole way (Deuteronomy 8:2).
• Proclaim His deeds to others (Psalm 105:1-2).
• Meditate on His works and wonders (Psalm 77:11-12).
• Bless the Lord for who God is and what He has done (Psalm 103:1-2; Psalm 105:5; 1 Chronicles 16:12; Lamentations 3:21-23).
• Celebrate God’s faithfulness (Psalm 100:4-5).
• Tell future generations (Deuteronomy 6).
• Worship God fully (Deuteronomy 6:5; John 4:23).
• Write down God’s activity (Exodus 17:14; Deuteronomy 31:19).
• Pray through God’s activity (Psalm 77:11-12).
January 25, 2026
Paul Gotthardt
(# 4 in series)
Luke 22:39-42
Are there specific parts of self that become the greatest deterrents to prayer?
Big Truth: Prayer is hindered when we try to __ self, become __ in self, or refuse to __ self.
• The 1st garden was __ where humanity __ (Genesis 2:7-25). When Adam was tempted to disobey the will of the Father, he __ self. His act of rebellion brought the curse of sin and death into the world.
• The 2nd garden was __ where the curse was __ (Luke 22:39-46). When Jesus (the second Adam) was tempted to disobey the will of the Father, Jesus __ self. His act of obedience brought life and salvation to all who believe (1 Corinthians 15:45).
• The 3rd garden is the __ City where God’s people eternally __ with Him in restored relationship (Revelation 21-22). Revelation presents the New Jerusalem as a garden-city. It’s a new and final Eden where the river of the water of life and the tree of life for the healing of the nations signal full __of what was forfeited in
Genesis 3.
Between the Garden where man __ and the Garden where God __ is the Garden where self was __.
“Most Christians don’t hear God’s voice because we’ve already __ we aren’t going to do what He says.” (A.W. Tozer)
How can we grow in denying self?
• Renew your mind in __.
• Submit your __ in prayer.
• Reframe your thoughts through __
• __ your Savior in small things.
• Enmesh your life in biblical __.
• __ your “wants” through discipline.
February 1, 2026
Heiden Ratner
(# 5 in series)
Various Passages
“Be killing sin, or it will be killing you.” – John Owen
We __ the Spirit
Reality Statement: The __ won’t be defeated by will power alone. This mountain is too steep for human strength. What we need is __ help, power from on high, an advantage from heaven. And that’s exactly what the Holy Spirit provides.
We __ the Spirit
“A powerful prayer is one that does not let go. It does not quit. It is profitable and powerful because it is persistent.” – Michael Catt
“I think Christians fail so often to get answers to their prayers because they do not wait long enough on God. They just drop down and say a few words, and then jump up and forget it and expect God to answer them. Such praying always reminds me of the small boy ringing his neighbor’s doorbell, and then running away as fast as he can go.“ – E.M. BOUNDS
February 8, 2026
Paul Gotthardt
(#6 in series)
Various Passages
Key Idea: Distraction is a __ problem; prayer is one__ for
that problem.
From Nehemiah’s story, where did distraction originate and how
was it addressed?
• Distraction came through the invitations of __. Refuse to engage.
• Distraction came through __ and intimidation. Stand on truth.
• Distraction came as ___ increased in others. Pray specifically.
• Distraction came through false ‘__’ counsel. Develop discernment.
• Distraction came from the __ behind the scenes. Resist the devil.
• Distraction became stronger as the work __. Keep working.
From Martha’s story, how is distraction dangerous?
• Distraction can turn good service into misplaced __.
• Distraction can __ our view of God and others.
• Distraction can center on __ rather than Jesus.
• Distraction can confuse __ with necessity.
• Distraction can cause us to miss what’s __.
From Jesus’ story, what are some solutions for distraction?
• Focus comes when prayer is __.
• Focus comes when we take time to pull away from the __.
• Focus comes when we discern God’s mission over good __.
• Focus comes when we preach the Word instead of pursue an __.
How can we minimize distraction in prayer?
• Choose a place for prayer that is quiet with minimal distractions.
• Choose a time for prayer when you’re focused and alert.
• Choose a posture for prayer that doesn’t make you too sleepy, too
relaxed, or too uncomfortable.
• Choose a path of simplicity that minimizes competing voices
and activity.
• Choose to sit silently for 5-7 minutes before you start to pray.
• Choose to write your prayer requests as you would pray them.
• Choose to pray consistently and extensively.
• Choose to write down competing needs or thoughts.
• Choose to set aside time for extended prayer.
• Choose to confess any known sin and ask God to reveal any
unknown sin.
• Choose to take every thought captive to the obedience of
Christ
• Choose to trust that Divine promptings are not prayer
distractions
• Choose to break your prayer list down into manageable parts.
• Choose to pray out loud when distractions seem too much.
• Choose to fast as a part of your prayer routines.
February 15, 2026
Paul Gotthardt
(#7 in series)
Proverbs 14:12, 19:2; Psalm 27:14
Three statements as we start:
1. We all make __.
2. We all sin.
3. We all need __.
Proverbs 14:12: “There is a path before each person that seems
right, but it ends in death.” (NLT)
Proverbs 19:2: “It is not good for a person to be without
knowledge, And he who hurries with his feet [acting impulsively
and proceeding without caution or analyzing the consequences]
sins (misses the mark).” (AMP)
Psalm 27:14: “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take
courage; wait for the Lord!” (ESV)
These 3 verses are crucial for conquering the mountain of impatience.
• One addresses an unforeseen __.
• One talks about a destructive __.
• And one gives a powerful __.
How do the first 2 verses apply to impatience?
• Impatience is a __ problem.
• Impatience is a __ problem.
• Impatience is a __ problem.
• The only thing standing between each of us and a lot of
__ is the wisdom and __ of God. Our prayers will reflect our
understanding of that statement.
Are there biblical stories where God’s people were told to wait,
but they acted impatiently?
• There’s the story of Abraham and Sarah (Genesis 12; 15; 18; 21).
• There’s the story of the Israelites and the golden calf (Exodus 32).
• There’s the story of Moses striking the rock (Numbers 20).
• There’s the story of King Saul offering sacrifices (1 Samuel 13).
Are there biblical stories where God’s people were told to wait
and they waited upon the Lord?
• There’s the story of Hannah (1 Samuel 1–2).
• There’s the story of Joseph (Genesis 37–50).
• There’s the story of Daniel (Daniel 9–10).
• There’s the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth (Luke 1).
• There’s the story of the woman with the issue of blood
(Mark 5:25–34).
• There’s the story of Lazarus and his sisters (John 11).
• There’s the story of the disabled man at Bethesda (John 5:1-15).
What does God say about waiting on Him?
• Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord! (Psalm 27:14)
• Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore
He exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God
of justice; blessed are all those who wait for Him. (Isaiah 30:18)
• The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who
seeks Him. (Lamentations 3:25)
• But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they
shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be
weary; they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)
• Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord.
See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth,
being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late
rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming
of the Lord is at hand. (James 5:7-8)
• But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of
my salvation; my God will hear me. (Micah 7:7)
• Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; fret not
yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man
who carries out evil devices! (Psalm 37:7)
• I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I hope; my
soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning,
more than watchmen for the morning. (Psalm 130:5-6)
• I waited patiently for the Lord; He inclined to me and heard my
cry. (Psalm 40:1)
• Wait for the Lord and keep His way, and He will exalt you to
inherit the land; you will look on when the wicked are cut off.
(Psalm 37:34)
• Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer
(Romans 12:12)
• I will wait for the Lord, who is hiding His face from the house of
Jacob, and I will hope in Him. (Isaiah 8:17)
• For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from
Him. (Psalm 62:5)
• No eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who
wait for Him. (Isaiah 64:4)
Three statements as we close:
1. You are not the only one called to __.
2. God is __ while you wait on Him.
3. Waiting is not __, but it’s worth it.