TITLE: THE POWER OF A PRAYING CHURCH: PERSISTENCE IN PRAYER
TEXT: LUKE 11:5-8, LUKE 18:1-8
INTRODUCTION
A. What does, “Take your burdens to the Lord and leave them there.” really mean?
B. Am I showing lack of faith when I pray for a particular situation more than once?
C. Acts 11:9, 10, “9 And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds.
And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” (NLT)
D. Acts 18:1, “[We] should always pray and never give up” (NLT)
A KNOCK AT MIDNIGHT (Luke 11:5-8)
A. A request is made from a friend at midnight
1. The request is denied – “Do not bother me…”
2. However, he knew that his friend had what he needed
3. His persistence revealed how badly he really desired the food
4. Ultimately, persistence wins over friendship
B. Lesson
1. We should persist in prayer with God
2. I know that God has what I need
3. My persistence reveals how badly I desire that for what I am praying
4. If a friend will respond because of the persistence of a friend, certainly God will respond to His children who are persistent in prayer
5. Good News: God is not offended, and will respond at midnight…
6. Even Better News: Jesus is my friend
A CALL FOR JUSTICE (Luke 18:1-8)
A. A request is made from a widow to a judge who neither feared God nor cared about the people
1. The request for justice was denied
2. However, she knew that was the place where she could find justice
3. Her persistence revealed how badly she really desired justice
4. Ultimately, persistence wins over care and concern
B. Lesson
1. We should persist in prayer with God
2. I know that God stands on the side of justice
3. My persistence reveals how badly I desire that for what I am praying
4. If an uncaring judge will respond favorably to a persistent widow, certainly God will respond to His children who are persistent in prayer
5. Good News: God will grant justice to His chosen ones who cry out day and night…
6. Even Better News: Jesus cares
CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEK:
I WILL COMMIT TO PERSISTENT PRAYER
WORK FOR THE WEEK
