17-Week Study & Discussion Guide

The Battle Plan for Prayer

by Stephen Kendrick & Alex Kendrick·119 discussion questions

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Week 1 — FreeRead the Introduction of The Battle Plan for Prayer. Key passages: Ephesians 6:10–18; 2 Corinthians 10:3–5.

Discussion question your group will work through:

1.The Kendricks open by comparing prayer to a battle plan — the kind a general prepares before engaging the enemy. What does this military metaphor communicate about prayer that a softer image (like prayer as a conversation or a quiet moment) might miss?

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About This Study Guide

At a glance: this is a 17-week study and discussion guide for The Battle Plan for Prayer by Stephen Kendrick & Alex Kendrick, with 119 questions organized by reading assignment. Week 1 is free to read, with no card required.

The Battle Plan for Prayer by Stephen and Alex Kendrick is a comprehensive, Scripture-saturated guide to developing a powerful, intentional prayer life. Inspired by their film War Room, the Kendricks argue that prayer is not a last resort when all else fails — it is the first and most essential weapon in the Christian's arsenal. The book moves from the foundational purpose of prayer, through its biblical mechanics, to practical strategies for praying over every area of life. The central conviction driving every chapter is this: prayer can accomplish what a willing God can accomplish, and a believer who learns to pray with faith, persistence, and strategy will see the spiritual landscape of their life transformed.

This study guide is designed for use by small groups or individual readers who want to go deeper than simply reading the book. The recommended pattern for each week is: (1) Read the assigned chapter or section before your group meets or your personal study time begins. (2) Journal your honest responses to the questions, noting where the material convicts, challenges, or encourages you. (3) Discuss the questions with your group or bring them into your personal prayer time, asking God to make the truths real in your experience. Some questions are straightforward comprehension checks; others will ask you to examine your heart and habits honestly. Let the discomfort of those questions be productive — the Kendricks wrote this book not to inform but to transform.

By the end of this study, you should expect to walk away with a clearer theology of prayer, a more structured and intentional prayer practice, and a renewed confidence that God hears and answers His people. You will also have confronted the most common reasons believers pray weakly or infrequently — and been given both the biblical motivation and the practical tools to change. Whether you have prayed for decades or feel like a complete beginner, The Battle Plan for Prayer has something to reshape in your prayer life.

Week 1: Introduction — Why We Need a Battle Plan

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Read the Introduction of The Battle Plan for Prayer. Key passages: Ephesians 6:10–18; 2 Corinthians 10:3–5.

Before the Kendricks teach us how to pray, they want us to see why most of us are losing battles we were designed to win. Come ready to be honest about the current state of your prayer life.

1.The Kendricks open by comparing prayer to a battle plan — the kind a general prepares before engaging the enemy. What does this military metaphor communicate about prayer that a softer image (like prayer as a conversation or a quiet moment) might miss?

2.How does the book's connection to the film War Room set the tone for what kind of prayer the Kendricks are advocating? What distinguishes a 'War Room' approach to prayer from the way most believers currently pray?

3.The authors assert that prayer is often our last resort rather than our first plan of attack. Be honest: in what areas of your life do you tend to exhaust human effort before turning to prayer?

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Group handout: The Battle Plan for Prayer

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17-Week Schedule

  1. Week 1Introduction — Why We Need a Battle Plan6 questions
  2. Week 2Chapter 1 — The Purpose of Prayer7 questions
  3. Week 3Chapter 2 — The History of Prayer7 questions
  4. Week 4Chapter 3 — Understanding the God We Pray To7 questions
  5. Week 5Chapter 4 — Hindrances to Prayer7 questions
  6. Week 6Chapter 5 — The Posture of Prayer7 questions
  7. Week 7Chapter 6 — Types of Prayer7 questions
  8. Week 8Chapter 7 — Praying the Word of God7 questions
  9. Week 9Chapter 8 — Praying in Jesus' Name7 questions
  10. Week 10Chapter 9 — Praying with Fasting7 questions
  11. Week 11Chapter 10 — Building a Battle Plan7 questions
  12. Week 12Chapter 11 — Praying for Your Family7 questions
  13. Week 13Chapter 12 — Praying for the Lost7 questions
  14. Week 14Chapter 13 — Praying for Your Church and Nation7 questions
  15. Week 15Chapter 14 — Persisting in Prayer7 questions
  16. Week 16Chapter 15 — Living a Life of Prayer7 questions
  17. Week 17Review & Reflection — The Battle Continues8 questions

Week 2: Chapter 1 — The Purpose of Prayer

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Read Chapter 1 of The Battle Plan for Prayer. Key passages: Matthew 6:9–13; John 17:3; Jeremiah 29:12–13.

1.The Kendricks argue that the primary purpose of prayer is not to get things from God but to get God Himself — to grow in relationship and intimacy with Him. How does this reframe what you consider a 'successful' prayer time?

+ 6 more questions in the full guide

Week 3: Chapter 2 — The History of Prayer

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Read Chapter 2 of The Battle Plan for Prayer. Key passages: Acts 1:14; Acts 4:23–31; James 5:16–18.

1.The Kendricks walk through the Bible and church history to show that every significant spiritual awakening has been rooted in corporate, fervent prayer. Which biblical or historical example from this chapter struck you most, and why?

+ 6 more questions in the full guide

Week 4: Chapter 3 — Understanding the God We Pray To

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Read Chapter 3 of The Battle Plan for Prayer. Key passages: Isaiah 40:28–31; Psalm 103:1–14; Hebrews 11:6.

1.The Kendricks argue that the confidence and fervency of our prayers are directly tied to our knowledge of God's character. What attributes of God do they highlight in this chapter as most critical to a vibrant prayer life?

+ 6 more questions in the full guide

Week 5: Chapter 4 — Hindrances to Prayer

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Read Chapter 4 of The Battle Plan for Prayer. Key passages: Isaiah 59:2; James 4:3; 1 Peter 3:7; Psalm 66:18.

1.The Kendricks identify several specific hindrances to effective prayer. List as many as you can remember from the chapter. Which one surprised you the most, and why?

+ 6 more questions in the full guide

Week 6: Chapter 5 — The Posture of Prayer

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Read Chapter 5 of The Battle Plan for Prayer. Key passages: Luke 18:1–8; Matthew 26:39; Daniel 6:10; Psalm 95:6.

1.The Kendricks discuss both the physical postures of prayer (kneeling, lifting hands, bowing) and the inner posture of humility and dependence. Why might physical posture matter in prayer? Have you ever found that your physical position affected the quality of your prayer time?

+ 6 more questions in the full guide

Week 7: Chapter 6 — Types of Prayer

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Read Chapter 6 of The Battle Plan for Prayer. Key passages: 1 Timothy 2:1–2; Philippians 4:6; Romans 8:26–27; Nehemiah 2:4.

1.The Kendricks draw on 1 Timothy 2:1 to identify several distinct types of prayer: supplication, intercession, thanksgiving, and petition. Before reading this chapter, did you practice all of these regularly, or did your prayer life lean heavily on one type?

+ 6 more questions in the full guide

Week 8: Chapter 7 — Praying the Word of God

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Read Chapter 7 of The Battle Plan for Prayer. Key passages: Matthew 4:1–11; John 15:7; Psalm 119:105; Isaiah 55:11.

1.The Kendricks argue that praying the Scriptures is one of the most effective forms of prayer because we can be confident we are praying in alignment with God's will. Have you ever prayed a Bible verse back to God? What was that experience like?

+ 6 more questions in the full guide

Week 9: Chapter 8 — Praying in Jesus' Name

All 7 questions →

Read Chapter 8 of The Battle Plan for Prayer. Key passages: John 14:13–14; John 16:23–24; Acts 3:6; Philippians 2:9–11.

1.The Kendricks argue that praying 'in Jesus' name' is not a magic phrase that guarantees results, but an expression of praying in accordance with Jesus' character, authority, and will. How does this understanding change the way you think about those words?

+ 6 more questions in the full guide

Week 10: Chapter 9 — Praying with Fasting

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Read Chapter 9 of The Battle Plan for Prayer. Key passages: Matthew 6:16–18; Isaiah 58:6–7; Acts 13:2–3; Mark 9:29.

1.What is your honest history with fasting? Have you fasted before? If so, what was your motivation and experience? If not, what has kept you from it?

+ 6 more questions in the full guide

Week 11: Chapter 10 — Building a Battle Plan

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Read Chapter 10 of The Battle Plan for Prayer. Key passages: Nehemiah 1–2; Luke 11:1–4; Colossians 4:2.

1.The book reaches its most practical chapter here: building an actual battle plan. What key components do the Kendricks recommend for a structured, intentional prayer strategy?

+ 6 more questions in the full guide

Week 12: Chapter 11 — Praying for Your Family

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Read Chapter 11 of The Battle Plan for Prayer. Key passages: Deuteronomy 6:4–9; Ephesians 6:4; Joshua 24:15; 1 Thessalonians 5:17.

1.The Kendricks paint a vision of a praying parent or spouse as someone who covers their family in intercession daily. What would it mean for your household to have a consistent intercessor — and are you currently filling that role?

+ 6 more questions in the full guide

Week 13: Chapter 12 — Praying for the Lost

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Read Chapter 12 of The Battle Plan for Prayer. Key passages: Matthew 9:37–38; Romans 10:1; 2 Peter 3:9; Luke 15:11–32.

1.The Kendricks challenge every believer to maintain a specific list of lost people they are actively praying for. Do you currently have such a list? Who would be on it?

+ 6 more questions in the full guide

Week 14: Chapter 13 — Praying for Your Church and Nation

All 7 questions →

Read Chapter 13 of The Battle Plan for Prayer. Key passages: 2 Chronicles 7:14; 1 Timothy 2:1–4; Nehemiah 1:4–11; Jeremiah 29:7.

1.2 Chronicles 7:14 is one of the most frequently quoted promises in the context of national prayer: 'If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray...' The Kendricks place the responsibility for national renewal squarely on God's people, not on politicians. How does this shift responsibility in a way that is both humbling and empowering?

+ 6 more questions in the full guide

Week 15: Chapter 14 — Persisting in Prayer

All 7 questions →

Read Chapter 14 of The Battle Plan for Prayer. Key passages: Luke 18:1–8; Genesis 32:22–32; Daniel 10:12–13; Galatians 6:9.

1.The Kendricks are honest that persistence in prayer is one of the hardest disciplines. What are the most common reasons believers stop praying for a specific request before the answer comes? Which of these reasons resonates most with you personally?

+ 6 more questions in the full guide

Week 16: Chapter 15 — Living a Life of Prayer

All 7 questions →

Read Chapter 15 of The Battle Plan for Prayer. Key passages: 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Luke 5:16; Acts 6:4; Colossians 1:9–12.

1.The Kendricks close with a call to integrate prayer into the entire texture of daily life — not as a scheduled event but as a continuous posture. What is the difference between having a quiet time and living prayerfully? Can you have one without the other?

+ 6 more questions in the full guide

Week 17: Review & Reflection — The Battle Continues

All 8 questions →

Review your notes, journal entries, and prayer lists from the entire study. Key passages: Philippians 4:6–7; Romans 8:26–27; Hebrews 4:14–16.

1.Looking back over the entire book and study, which chapter or concept had the greatest impact on you? What made it land so powerfully?

+ 7 more questions in the full guide
Book Club QuestionsMore by Stephen Kendrick & Alex KendrickPrayer & Spiritual WarfareSpiritual Growth & DisciplinesFor Small GroupsFor ChurchesFor Individual StudyFree Question GeneratorMake a reading schedule for this book

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About the The Battle Plan for Prayer guide

How many weeks is the The Battle Plan for Prayer study guide?

This study guide covers The Battle Plan for Prayer in 17 weeks, with week-by-week discussion questions, reading references, and closing prayers for each session.

How many discussion questions are included?

The complete guide includes 119 discussion questions across 17 weeks — an average of 7 questions per week, designed for group conversation.

Can I use this guide for a book club?

Yes — the questions are written for group discussion and work well for small groups, book clubs, church studies, and couples reading together.

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