Activating God's Power Through Persistent Prayer
Summary
In our daily lives, we rely on electricity to power our homes and appliances, but this power requires a point of contact, like a switch, to be activated. Similarly, in our spiritual lives, prayer is the point of contact that activates God's power and provision. Without prayer, we miss out on what God has already decreed for us. Many people believe in God's power but fail to experience it because they don't understand the necessity of making contact through prayer.
Prayer is not just a ritual; it is the mechanism God has established to release His will into our lives. It doesn't force God to act against His will but aligns us with what He has already planned. Just as Elijah prayed for rain based on God's word, our prayers should be grounded in Scripture. Elijah's story teaches us that prayer is powerful when it is fervent, effectual, and righteous. It is through such prayer that we can experience the supernatural in our lives.
Elijah's prayer life was effective because it was based on God's promises and was persistent. He prayed earnestly, even when there was no immediate sign of rain. His proximity to God allowed him to hear what others could not, demonstrating that closeness to God is crucial for understanding His will. Elijah's fervent prayer was like a labor process, giving birth to a miracle. This teaches us that when we need God to do something extraordinary, we must be willing to labor in prayer.
The story of Elijah and the rain is a powerful reminder that God's decrees require our active participation through prayer. We must be persistent, expectant, and willing to push through until we see the fulfillment of God's promises. Just as Elijah outran Ahab's chariot with supernatural strength, we too can experience God's power when we align ourselves with His will through prayer.
Key Takeaways:
1. Prayer as a Point of Contact: Prayer is the essential point of contact between our needs and God's provision. Without it, we miss out on the blessings God has already decreed for us. It is not a power problem but a contact problem when we don't experience God's provision. [02:06]
2. Grounding Prayer in Scripture: Effective prayer is rooted in God's word. Elijah's prayers were based on God's promises, demonstrating that knowing Scripture is crucial for aligning our prayers with God's will. This alignment transforms vague prayers into powerful petitions. [12:45]
3. Proximity to God: Our closeness to God determines our ability to hear His will. Like Elijah, we must maintain a close relationship with God to discern His specific plans for us. This proximity allows us to hear what others cannot and act according to His timing. [22:06]
4. Persistent and Expectant Prayer: Elijah's persistence in prayer, even when there was no immediate sign of rain, teaches us the importance of being expectant and persistent. We must continue to pray until we see the fulfillment of God's promises, trusting that He will answer in due season. [37:42]
5. Laboring in Prayer for Miracles: When seeking extraordinary interventions from God, we must be willing to labor in prayer. Just as Elijah positioned himself to give birth to a miracle, we too must be prepared to travail in prayer, pushing through until we see God's supernatural work in our lives. [30:56]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - The Power of Electricity and Contact
- [01:34] - God's Provision and Prayer
- [03:19] - Learning from Elijah
- [04:07] - God's Decree and Human Contact
- [05:02] - The Necessity of Prayer
- [06:02] - God's Pre-Decreed Will
- [07:25] - Prayer as a Receiver
- [09:05] - Distributing God's Provision
- [10:01] - Elijah's Prayer and God's Word
- [11:00] - The Role of Idolatry
- [12:12] - Praying Biblically
- [14:16] - Effectual Fervent Prayer
- [18:51] - The Secret of Supernatural Prayer
- [21:01] - Hearing God's Will
- [25:01] - Undistracted Prayer
- [27:06] - The Position of Labor
- [30:56] - Giving Birth to Miracles
- [35:04] - Persistence in Prayer
- [39:14] - Expectant Prayer
- [41:21] - Supernatural Strength
- [43:30] - A True Story of Prayer and Faith
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 1 Kings 17:1 - "Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, 'As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.'"
2. 1 Kings 18:1 - "After a long time, in the third year, the word of the Lord came to Elijah: 'Go and present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the land.'"
3. James 5:16-18 - "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops."
Observation Questions:
1. What was the significance of Elijah's declaration to Ahab about the rain in 1 Kings 17:1? How does this set the stage for the events in 1 Kings 18? [10:01]
2. In James 5:16-18, what characteristics of Elijah's prayer are highlighted, and how do they relate to the effectiveness of his prayers? [14:16]
3. How does the sermon describe the role of prayer as a "point of contact" between our needs and God's provision? [02:24]
4. What was the role of idolatry in the withholding of rain, according to the sermon and the passage in Deuteronomy 11:13-17? [11:00]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon explain the relationship between God's decrees and human prayer? Why is prayer necessary if God has already decreed His will? [07:07]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of grounding our prayers in Scripture, and how does this affect the power of our prayers? [12:12]
3. How does the sermon illustrate the concept of "laboring in prayer" through the story of Elijah, and what does this teach about the nature of persistent prayer? [27:06]
4. According to the sermon, what role does proximity to God play in hearing His will, and how can believers cultivate this closeness? [22:06]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current prayer life. Are there areas where you feel you are not making contact with God's provision? What steps can you take to address this? [02:24]
2. How can you incorporate more Scripture into your prayers to ensure they are aligned with God's will? Identify a specific promise from the Bible that you can pray over this week. [12:12]
3. Think of a situation in your life where you need a breakthrough. How can you commit to "laboring in prayer" for this issue, and what practical steps will you take to create an undistracted environment for prayer? [27:06]
4. Consider your proximity to God. Are there distractions or idols in your life that are hindering your ability to hear His will? What changes can you make to draw closer to Him? [22:06]
5. Elijah's prayers were persistent and expectant. How can you cultivate a similar attitude in your prayer life, especially when answers seem delayed? [37:42]
6. Reflect on a time when you experienced a "small cloud" or a sign of God's work in your life. How did you respond, and how can you remain expectant for the full answer to your prayers? [39:30]
7. The sermon mentions the supernatural strength Elijah received to outrun Ahab's chariot. In what areas of your life do you need God's supernatural strength, and how can you pray specifically for this? [41:21]
Devotional
Day 1: Prayer as the Activation of Divine Provision
Prayer serves as the essential point of contact between our needs and God's provision. Just as electricity requires a switch to activate its power, prayer is the mechanism that activates God's power and provision in our lives. Without prayer, we miss out on the blessings God has already decreed for us. It is not a power problem but a contact problem when we don't experience God's provision. By engaging in prayer, we align ourselves with God's will and open the door to His blessings. [02:06]
"Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known." (Jeremiah 33:3, ESV)
Reflection: What specific need in your life can you bring to God in prayer today, trusting Him to activate His provision?
Day 2: Scripture-Grounded Prayer Transforms Petitions
Effective prayer is rooted in God's word. Elijah's prayers were based on God's promises, demonstrating that knowing Scripture is crucial for aligning our prayers with God's will. This alignment transforms vague prayers into powerful petitions. When we ground our prayers in Scripture, we are not only speaking to God but also listening to His promises and aligning our desires with His divine plan. This practice ensures that our prayers are not just wishful thinking but are anchored in the truth of God's word. [12:45]
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a promise from Scripture that speaks to your current situation. How can you incorporate this promise into your prayers today?
Day 3: Closeness to God Enhances Spiritual Discernment
Our closeness to God determines our ability to hear His will. Like Elijah, we must maintain a close relationship with God to discern His specific plans for us. This proximity allows us to hear what others cannot and act according to His timing. By cultivating a deep and personal relationship with God, we become more attuned to His voice and guidance, enabling us to navigate life's challenges with divine insight and wisdom. [22:06]
"The secret of the Lord is with those who fear him, and he will show them his covenant." (Psalm 25:14, ESV)
Reflection: What steps can you take today to draw closer to God and enhance your ability to discern His will for your life?
Day 4: The Power of Persistent and Expectant Prayer
Elijah's persistence in prayer, even when there was no immediate sign of rain, teaches us the importance of being expectant and persistent. We must continue to pray until we see the fulfillment of God's promises, trusting that He will answer in due season. This persistence is not about convincing God to act but about demonstrating our faith and trust in His timing and provision. By remaining steadfast in prayer, we align ourselves with God's perfect timing and open ourselves to His miraculous interventions. [37:42]
"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." (Romans 12:12, ESV)
Reflection: Is there a promise from God that you have been waiting to see fulfilled? How can you remain persistent and expectant in prayer regarding this promise?
Day 5: Laboring in Prayer for Extraordinary Interventions
When seeking extraordinary interventions from God, we must be willing to labor in prayer. Just as Elijah positioned himself to give birth to a miracle, we too must be prepared to travail in prayer, pushing through until we see God's supernatural work in our lives. This laboring in prayer is akin to a birthing process, where we partner with God to bring forth His will and purposes. It requires dedication, perseverance, and a willingness to engage deeply with God in prayer. [30:56]
"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving." (Colossians 4:2, ESV)
Reflection: What extraordinary intervention are you seeking from God? How can you commit to laboring in prayer for this need, trusting God for a miraculous outcome?
Quotes
Prayer is the one thing God has established to make contact with what he has already decreed where there is no prayer there is no contact and where there is no no contact you do not get what God has already declared for you to have known as his will. [00:02:42]
Prayer is the mechanism God has decreed that is absolutely necessary for him to release what he intends. Prayer does not make God do what he hadn't planned to do but what it does is release God to do what he has decreed to do. [00:05:02]
The reason why many of us pray so generally Lord bless me Lord help me, which means you've said absolutely nothing, you've been so vague is because you don't have a point of contact that you know about that you can point to in Scripture that becomes the basis of your request. [00:12:28]
Elijah was a man with a nature like ours and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain so he's taking us back to Kings and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months then he prayed again and the sky poured rain and the Earth produced its fruit. [00:14:33]
The change with the rain only came when the idolatry was addressed as long as there was idolatry there would be no rain. Many people want God to send rain in their lives called blessings without wanting God to change their lives. [00:15:17]
Elijah was a righteous man he lived his life to please the Lord. You cannot hear the sound of God's Will and live a lifestyle that makes him sad, that makes him unhappy, that is not seeking to please him. You can't hear his voice and be in a long-distance relationship. [00:24:20]
When you need God to do something not regular but super, when you need God to do something not ordinary but extraordinary you got to get in a position of birth but no woman gets in a position of birth unless she pregnant. [00:28:12]
The bigger the miracle you need the more labor you're going to be in and the harder you got to push and push and push until there a birth. You say why do I have to go through all that cuz you're giving birth to a miracle you're giving birth to something Supernatural. [00:30:36]
You keep going until you suck that thing down cuz the bigger the miracle you need the more labor you going to be in cuz that baby's head is so big so you go you labor till God answers it once you can tie it to his word tie it to your spirit. [00:37:03]
He prayed expectantly he expected to see something now what he saw wasn't much because all he saw was a cloud with the man's hand that's a tiny Cloud but that's all he needed to see cuz sometimes God doesn't give it to you all he wants he let you see a little something. [00:39:38]
When God comes through for you even though you've had to wait for it you'll be like Caleb who said I started when I was 40 now I'm 85 but God has given me strength at 85 that I had at 40 and it was worth waiting on him for my change to come. [00:43:04]
Somebody here today needs a miracle in your life needs a miracle in your emotions needs a miracle in your home needs a miracle on your job if you commit to righteousness if you commit to prayer if you commit to Mount Caramel and if you get pregnant with God's life. [00:48:38]
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