MODULE 1: PRAYER

OUTCOME: The disciple establishes a meaningful rhythm of daily prayer.

Perhaps the most essential trait of a disciple is prayer. Prayer is our lifeline to God. That’s why it’s the very first outcome in this journey. In this module, the disciple will be exposed to some different approaches and teachings on prayer before finally committing to a daily prayer rhythm. Remember, each of us is different. The point is for the disciple to discover how they best connect with God, and to move toward union with God through prayer in whatever manner is best.

Why Prayer Comes First

Every other practice on the Discipleship Pathway flows out of prayer. Scripture reading without prayer becomes study for its own sake; generosity without prayer becomes a budget line; hospitality without prayer becomes a dinner party. Prayer is where a disciple learns to live with God, not just for him. That is why the first outcome on the Pathway is a meaningful rhythm of daily prayer.

Many believers were taught that prayer is mainly talking: a list of requests, a blessing before meals, a quick word before bed. Module 1 widens the picture. Over four meetings the disciple experiences three different ways of praying — conversational, contemplative and intercessory — and then shapes a personal daily prayer rhythm that fits their personality, schedule and season of life. The aim is not to copy the discipler’s prayer life, but to discover how the disciple best connects with God.

Three Ways to Pray

Conversational prayer: talking with God, not just to him

Prayer is a two-way conversation. In the first week the disciple experiments with speaking honestly to God, then pausing long enough to listen. Most people will not hear an audible voice, but many notice God bringing a verse, a person or a gentle conviction to mind. Journalling helps capture those moments.

Contemplative prayer: silence, solitude and stillness

Contemplative prayer is simply being present with God and filling our minds with him. Practices such as breath prayers, centring prayer and resting in a short passage of Scripture help a busy mind slow down enough to notice God’s presence.

Intercessory prayer: standing between God and others

Intercession means praying on behalf of someone else. The Pathway uses a simple pattern: identify a person, identify a problem, identify a solution, then present it to God. Jesus himself models this in John 17, where he prays for his disciples and for all who would believe through them.

The Four Meetings of Module 1

Meeting 1: Hearing God in Prayer — discuss the Voice video, explore the difference between talking to God and talking with God, and begin a week of conversational prayer practices.
Meeting 2: Contemplative Prayer — debrief the first prayer week, pray for each other’s requests and start contemplative prayer practices.
Meeting 3: Intercessory Prayer — reflect on silence and stillness, then learn a simple, practical way to pray for other people.
Meeting 4: Your Daily Prayer Rhythm — read John 17, review everything you tried this month and write My Daily Prayer Rhythm.

How to Build a Daily Prayer Rhythm That Lasts

A prayer rhythm is a realistic, repeatable pattern of prayer — not a heroic plan that collapses after a week. As you work through this module, keep these principles in mind:

Start small. Five to ten focused minutes a day is a strong beginning. Faithfulness matters more than length.
Anchor it to a time and place. Link prayer to something you already do: your first coffee, your commute, your lunch break or the moment the house goes quiet at night.
Use a simple structure. Many people pair a short Bible passage with a few minutes of silence, then pray through a list of requests. The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9–13) is a timeless framework.
Pray throughout the day. Short prayers in the car, before a hard conversation or while waiting in line keep the conversation going between your set times.
Expect dry seasons. Some days prayer will feel alive; others it will feel like work. A rhythm carries you through both.

Tips for Disciplers

Share your own prayer life honestly, including what has not worked. Resist the urge to prescribe a single method; instead, ask good questions about what helped the disciple feel close to God. Close every meeting by praying for one another — it is the simplest way to model intercessory prayer and it builds trust quickly.

Key Scriptures on Prayer

Matthew 6:5–13 — Jesus teaches his followers how to pray.
1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 — "pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances."
Psalm 46:10 — "Be still, and know that I am God."
John 17 — Jesus prays for his disciples and for us.
Philippians 4:6–7 — bring every request to God with thanksgiving.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I have never prayed out loud before?

That is completely normal. You can pray silently, write your prayers in a journal or simply read a psalm back to God. There is no wrong way to start — just start.

How will I know if God is speaking?

God’s voice will always be consistent with Scripture and with the character of Jesus. Share what you sense with your discipler; testing impressions together is one of the gifts of discipleship.

What comes after this module?

Once your daily prayer rhythm is in place, the Pathway moves to Module 2: Confession, where prayer becomes the setting for honesty before God and trusted friends.

In this module: Meeting 1: Hearing God in Prayer · Meeting 2: Contemplative Prayer · Meeting 3: Intercessory Prayer · Meeting 4: Your Daily Prayer Rhythm. All worksheets and videos: Module 1 resources. Previous module: Module 0: Discipleship. Next module: Module 2: Confession. See all 11 modules.