1 PERSEVERING PRAYER Dr. Kenneth W. Jones, Pastor, Practical Living Ministry
Introduction: Review of Study 2 You have not because you ask not: Has prayer become obsolete in our culture because we can bring things to pass through our knowledge and processes? The women pursuing Elijah and Samuel: How far are we willing to pursue to get our need met? Prayers, Petition, or Confession Ask. Seek. Knock vs Name it and Claim It - Persistence vs. Vendor mindset When the answer is unsure or delayed - Trusting in God who says He is always with us Praying with your head covered: Casting down imaginations & keeping the phone line clear How Jesus prayed We learn effective prayer from the Master
Pray and Not Faint 3 Luke 18:1 - ALSO [Jesus] told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not to turn coward (faint, lose heart, and give up). Separation In order for Prayer to Avail, it must prevail
Jesus Told Them in a Parable 4 Jesus told them in a parable meaning that he is making a point through an illustration (Luke 18:1) Two points: Pray always and not to grow weary or give up The parable is designed to teach us that we should persevere, and not grow weary in our supplication to God. Many Faith Teachers tell us that we ought not to pray for the same thing a second time. Yet Scripture teaches us otherwise that it is the squeaky wheel that gets the grease Keep In Mind, the Opposite of Persist is to Desist So P.U.S. H.! Pray Until Something Happens
How Important is Your Need? 5 Luke 18:5 - Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. (KJV) Luke 18:5 - Yet because this widow continues to bother me, I will defend and protect and avenge her, lest she give me intolerable annoyance and wear me out by her continual coming or at the last she come and rail on me or assault me or strangle me. (Amplified Version) She weary me - The word used here, in the original, is that which was employed to denote the wounds and bruises caused by boxers, who beat each other, and blacken their eyes, and disable them. The reason why we have prayer armor is because prayer at times may be a battle for we wrestle not against flesh and blood. (Ephesians 6:10-18)
If Prayer Was Not Meant to be Active 6 Why do we have to bind the strong man? (Mark 3:27) before Satan s domain can be plundered, he must be incapacitated Why do we have to travail in prayer? (Luke 22:44) Even Jesus travailed in prayer Why do we have to cast down imaginations and pull down strongholds? Prayer is an act of Vigilance: We are to Watch and Pray (Be alert!)
Shall God Not Provide For His Elect? 7 If, therefore, this wicked man by persevering prayer was induced to do justice, how much more shall God do for His elect and who put their trust in him. Do we lose sight that we are God s Elect? (Col 3:12) Which cry day and night - This expresses one striking characteristic of the elect of God; they pray, and pray constantly.
Importunity Defined 8 Luke 11:5-10: And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; 6 For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? 7 And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. 8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. 9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. 10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Importunity: perseverance in a pursuit without regard to time, place or circumstance. Persistence in the face of all that seems reasonable
Prayer in the Offense 9 Most people see prayer in the Defense Brother, please pray for me. The devil is attacking our family. While this is wise and we need to respond spiritually and in prayer to demonic attacks along with trials we face, we should always be in the offense, praying daily and diligently that the kingdom of God be fulfilled in our lives It is said, The best defense is a strong offense. The kingdom of Satan cannot prevail against the kingdom of God The church is not in the defense, but in the offense The Sky is Falling!
Daniel Perseveres in Prayer 10 Daniel 10:9-13: Then I heard the sound of his words; and when I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in a deep sleep, with my face [sunk] to the ground. 10 And behold, a hand touched me, which set me [unsteadily] upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands. 11 And [the angel] said to me, O Daniel, you greatly beloved man, understand the words that I speak to you and stand upright, for to you I am now sent. And while he was saying this word to me, I stood up trembling. 12 Then he said to me, Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your mind and heart to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come as a consequence of [and in response to] your words. 13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief [of the celestial] princes, came to help me, for I remained there with the kings of Persia. Daniel fasts and prays for 21 days
Daniel s Prayer 11 It was heard from the first day Daniel prayed (Daniel 10:12) Thy words were heard - In heaven. Daniel s prayer was heard even though it was delayed. The reason initially may be unknown to us, but God eventually revealed to Daniel This is why Prayer must be offensive: The reason why the message was delayed was due to satan and nothing else We are at war against an enemy who steals, kill, and destroys There may not be a reason other than a satanic attack. Daniel was unaware of satan s scheme, yet he prevailed: This is where faith comes in The angel was withstood by satan The angel was opposed by satan
What Am I Saying? 12 Some of you may be struggling today with issues and trials that you don t even know why you are going through what you are going through and it appears that the end is not in sight. You must believe that God has not forgotten you and that you are His elect and beloved. He will see you through and give you victory There is an enemy that will do all he can to opposed and withstand against the hand of God in your life Stop Reactive Prayers. Go on the offense! Claim what is your as a child of the king. Pray fervently, diligently, daily, and faithfully.
Most Importantly 13 Share the Blessing: Tell others about the goodness of God Tell others about it so that their faith can be encouraged and strengthened Prayer with Thanksgiving: Add a little praise daily, rejoicing in the God that is more than enough
The Kingdom Suffers Violence 14 Matthew 11:12 - And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. The kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force: Jesus' reference to violence refers to both the intensity of spiritual warfare surrounding the ministry of Jesus and His herald, and also to the intensity required to persevere in following God and His kingdom. (Guzik) Praying with faith and expectancy in a manner that reaches the throne room of God
Prayer in the Defense 15 I ll send him his income tax rebate check early and he ll stop praying. Lord, I need you to help me get my rent money together by the first of the month. I m in a bind financially, and if you can just help me get some funds so I can go on the church trip to Las Vegas, I would really appreciate it. Also, deal with these people stressing me out at work! I need favor! Satan Struggling Saint
Principalities Powers Darkness Advancing the Kingdom God s Culture Worldly Culture Satanic Culture The People of God: The Church Through prayer, faith, and perseverance Advances No Society or kingdom can advance its culture or its kingdom without WAR Advancing Kingdom Principles Lack of Unity of Command The World s System and its Influence seeks to Control or Prevent our Advancement We Advance through The Gates of Hell which represents Satan s Hierarchy of Power The Gates of Hell Cannot Prevail
Faith, Patience and 17 Perseverance Through faith, we place our trust and confidence in God s Word and because we believe that God s word is true, we can persevere through many trials and tribulations until we see our need fulfill Hebrews 10:36 Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. (NLT) While reference is made here towards a heavenly reward, it is important that we endure and persevere and not give up trusting that God will do what He says He would do.
Encouragement 18 1 Peter 5:7 - Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. Casting: Throw it away from you. Psalms 37:25 - I have been young and now am old, yet have I not seen the [uncompromisingly] righteous forsaken or their seed begging bread. God cares for you Be Encouraged
19 Our List For Why Prayer is Not Working When we don t see our prayers being answered we begin to go through our list of why we are not receiving the answer: Sin in my life: (John 9:31) or punishment for my sins (Romans 8:1) In a rebellious state (Proverbs 1:22-33; Deut 1:45)) Not enough faith (Hebrews 11:6) Generational sins: sins passed down (John 9:2) Maybe I am not asking for the right thing, in the right way, at the right time (James 4:2,3) Hindered by negative confessions (Proverbs 6:2) Maybe God doesn t want me to have it (Psalms 84:11) While there may be biblical and spiritual legitimacy to why our prayers are being hindered, we must not rule out other principles found in God s Word God is punishing me for my slothfulness, sinful past, poor decisions, etc. (2 nd Samuel 12: 7-17)
Scriptures 20 John 9:31: We know that God does not hear sinners, but if anyone is Godfearing and does His will, He hears him. 1 st Peter 3:12: For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. (KJV) James 4:2,3: Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Proverbs 6:2: Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth. Psalms 84:11: For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
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