Before Amen Bible Study Guide: The Power of a Simple Prayer

By Max Lucado

We all pray . . . some. We pray to stay sober, centered, or solvent. When the lump is deemed malignant. When the money runs out. When the marriage is falling apart. But wouldn’t we like to pray . . . more? Better? Stronger? With more fire, faith, and fervency?

In this four-session video-based study (DVD/digital video sold separately), bestselling author Max Lucado reveals his own struggles with prayer and how he discovered that it is not a privilege for the pious nor the art of a chosen few but a simple tool everyone has been given to have a conversation with God. He shows you how to:

• Let go of uncertainties about prayer.
• Trust that God hears you.
• Embrace a prayer life that brings peace and rest.

 

Join Max Lucado on a journey to the very heart of biblical prayer and the power unleashed with five simple sentences: "Father, you are good. I need help. They need help. Thank you. In Jesus' name, amen." 

This study guide includes leader helps, discussion questions, conversation starters, and between-session activities to enhance your understanding and application of Max's teaching.

Sessions include:

1. Father, You Are Good
2. I Need Help
3. They Need Help
4. Thank You

 

Designed for use with Before Amen Video Study 9780529123428 (sold separately).

• Language: English
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Release date: Oct 7, 2014
• ISBN: 9780529123411

Max Lucado

Since entering the ministry in 1978, Max Lucado has served churches in Miami, Florida; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and San Antonio, Texas. He currently serves as the teaching minister of Oak Hills Church in San Antonio. He is the recipient of the 2021 ECPA Pinnacle Award for his outstanding contribution to the publishing industry and society at large. He is America's bestselling inspirational author with more than 150 million products in print. Visit his website at MaxLucado.com Facebook.com/MaxLucado Instagram.com/MaxLucado Twitter.com/MaxLucado Youtube.com/MaxLucadoOfficial The Max Lucado Encouraging Word Podcast

Book preview

A Word from Max Lucado

Do you want to learn to pray? I would suggest that there is no better place to start than watching Jesus as he prayed — and watching him very closely.

Jesus set a compelling prayer example. He prayed before he ate. He prayed for children. He prayed for the sick. He prayed for the downtrodden. He made the planets and shaped the stars, yet he prayed. He is the Lord of angels and commander of heavenly hosts, yet he prayed. He was coequal with God, the exact representation of the Holy One, yet he devoted himself to prayer. He prayed in the desert, in the cemetery, and in the garden. He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed (Mark 1:35 NKJV).

This dialog must have been common among his friends.

Has anyone seen Jesus?

Oh, you know. He’s up to the same thing.

"Praying, again?"

Yep. He’s been gone since sunrise.

Jesus was prone to disappear for an entire night of prayer. I’m thinking of one occasion in particular. He had just experienced one of the most stressful days of his ministry. The morning began with the news of the brutal execution of his cousin, John the Baptist. Jesus sought to retreat with his disciples, yet a throng of thousands followed him. Though he was grief-stricken, he spent the day teaching and healing people. When the disciples discovered that the host of people had no food to eat, Jesus multiplied bread out of a basket and fed the entire multitude. In the span of twelve hours, he battled sorrow, stress, demands, and needs. He deserved a good night’s rest. Yet, when evening finally came, he told the crowd to leave and the disciples to board their boat, and he went up into the hills by himself to pray (Mark 6:46 NLT).

Apparently, it was the correct choice. A storm exploded over the Sea of Galilee, leaving the disciples in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water (Matthew 14:24 – 25 NLT). Jesus ascended the mountain depleted. He reappeared invigorated. When he reached the water, he never broke his stride. You’d have thought the water was a park lawn and the storm a spring breeze.

Do you think the disciples made the prayer/power connection? "Lord, teach us to pray like that." Teach us to find strength in prayer. To banish fear in prayer. To defy storms in prayer. To come off the mountain of prayer with the authority of a prince.

What about you? The disciples faced angry waves and a watery grave. You face angry clients, a turbulent economy, stormy family challenges, and the raging seas of stress and sorrow. If you are like the disciples, you might find yourself asking Jesus, Will you teach me to pray? If you want to learn, there is no better teacher than Jesus. If you are ready, there is no better time than now.

I am delighted that we are taking this prayer journey together!

Session 1

Father, You Are Good

How should we draw near to God?

Reviews for Before Amen Bible Study Guide

[drmom62 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I thought he started off well with the first chapter and at the opening of the second chapter he hit the God as Daddy fallacy.
That's when I decided to quit

[beautyinthebinding · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In Before Amen, bestselling author Max Lucado introduces readers to the power of a simple prayer:Father, You are good. I need help. They need help. Thank you. In Jesus' name, amen.As Jesus gave a model prayer to his disciples, so Lucado is giving a prayer that can be used quickly when time is short or used as the basis for a longer prayer. Each phrase has a correlating chapter to expound on the Biblical background of the thought, the appropriate application of the idea, and the spiritual blessings and possibilities that prayer can bring. Lucado's emphasis in Before Amen is on making prayer approachable and simple for anyone. One of my favorite quotes was: “We Speak. He listens. He speaks. We listen. This is prayer in its purest form.” (pg.11) Throughout the book, I felt like Lucado reiterated the approachability of both God and prayer as well as advocated prayer as a means of experiencing deeper intimacy with God.Before Amen is mainly targeted to Christians who desire to pray, but struggle with consistency or insecurity relating to prayer. Christians who already have a strong prayer life will likely find it minimally helpful as it is simplistic. However, I think that everyone could find encouragement in this book as Lucado often reminds the reader of Biblical truths and promises. For me, reading the chapter about God as Father was a refreshing reminder of God's love and care for each of us.Disclosure of Material Connection: I received an Advance Reader Copy of Before Amen from the publisher via Litfuse Publicity. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

[hobbitprincess · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

While this book is fairly short, it is powerful and helps focus on prayer and how to pray. Lucado is a masterful writer and story teller, and his words always hit home. The focus of this book is the Pocket Prayer, a short, powerful prayer to help guide you when you don't know what else to pray.

[jmcdbooks · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Rated: AMy Pocket Prayer:Abba, Father,You are so good. You are a good, good Father. You are Holy, Holy, Holy.I love You. I need You. Fill me. Heal me. Protect me. Forgive me.They need You, Lord. Please send me.And show me where You are and what You are doing; Then give me the compassionate courage to follow in Your steps.Thank You. In Jesus Name. Amen.

[ylferif_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Easy to read and easy to follow.Theology-lite

[themadturtle · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is a very "light" book. Lucado writes around the idea of a "pocket prayer" made up of a few short sentences that one can easily memorize and "whip out" if they need direction when praying. In the book he expounds briefly on each idea or sentence. There's some neat ideas, but not a lot of deep substance in the book. I read it as part of a men's study and we breezed through it quickly. It didn't keep a lot of guys' attention.