Building Community Through Persistent Prayer and Love

 

Summary

Growing in love and going in love are central to our mission at Victory Fellowship. We aim to deepen our love for God and each other while reaching out to our local and global communities. This morning, we explored the theme of experiencing God and building Christ-like relationships. In a world increasingly defined by isolation, as highlighted by a recent article in The Atlantic, we are called to foster genuine connections. Despite the rise of social media, which often leads to loneliness and anxiety, God designed us for community, not isolation.

Our vision is to move from being merely friendly to building deep friendships within our church family. This involves not just gathering on Sundays but also praying for and with each other. Today, we delved into the parable of the persistent widow from Luke 18:1-8, which teaches us the importance of persistent prayer. Jesus encourages us to always pray and not lose heart, even in the face of injustice and suffering. The parable contrasts an unjust judge with our just and loving Heavenly Father, who hears our cries and responds with justice.

When we pray, we should keep it simple, real, and persistent. Simple prayers, like the widow's, are powerful because they come from the heart. Being honest with God about our feelings, whether of anger, disappointment, or fear, is crucial because He already knows our hearts. Persistence in prayer fosters dependence on God, reminding us that our strength lies in Him, not in ourselves. This dependence builds faithfulness, as we trust in God's timing and justice, even when it seems delayed.

As we pray, we yield to God's will, trusting in His goodness and faithfulness. Our relationship with God is not meant to be lived in isolation but in community. We are better together, sharing both our burdens and our joys. This morning, we practiced praying for each other, building a stronger community of faith. Remember, God is a God of justice, and we can trust Him to act according to His will and goodness.

Key Takeaways:

- Community Over Isolation: In a world where social media often leads to isolation, God calls us to build genuine, Christ-like relationships. We are designed for community, not isolation, and our church family is a place to foster these connections. [25:47]

- Persistent Prayer: The parable of the persistent widow teaches us to always pray and not lose heart. Persistent prayer fosters dependence on God, reminding us that our strength lies in Him. [31:45]

- Simplicity and Honesty in Prayer: When we pray, we should keep it simple and real. God knows our hearts, so we should be honest about our feelings, whether of anger, disappointment, or fear. [34:21]

- Trusting God's Timing: God's timing is not our timing. Even when justice seems delayed, we trust in God's eternal perspective and His plan, knowing He is working for our good. [45:05]

- Building Faithfulness Through Dependence: Persistent prayer builds faithfulness as we depend on God. This faithfulness is rooted in our trust in His goodness and justice, even amidst life's challenges. [41:39]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [14:59] - Announcements and Fellowship
- [17:53] - Vision for a Praying Church
- [19:54] - Engage, Experience, Expand
- [22:15] - The Anti-Social Society
- [24:48] - Impact on Church Attendance
- [25:47] - God's Design for Community
- [27:16] - Introduction to Luke 18
- [29:58] - The Parable of the Persistent Widow
- [31:45] - Lessons on Persistent Prayer
- [34:21] - Simplicity in Prayer
- [36:42] - Honesty in Prayer
- [39:00] - Persistence in Prayer
- [45:05] - Trusting God's Timing
- [48:07] - Community Prayer Activity
- [51:06] - Best and Worst Food Experiences
- [53:19] - We Are Better Together
- [56:35] - PRAY Acronym Activity
- [01:26:39] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Luke 18:1-8
- Romans 8:26
- 2 Peter 3:8-9

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Observation Questions:

1. In the parable of the persistent widow, what characteristics are highlighted about the judge and the widow? How do these characteristics contrast with our understanding of God? [29:58]

2. What does the sermon suggest about the impact of social media on our sense of community and isolation? [22:15]

3. How does the sermon describe the relationship between persistent prayer and dependence on God? [40:39]

4. What are the three action steps mentioned in the sermon for how we should pray? [34:21]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the parable of the persistent widow encourage believers to maintain faith in God's justice, even when it seems delayed? [32:31]

2. The sermon mentions that God's timing is not our timing. How might this understanding affect a believer's response to unanswered prayers? [45:05]

3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that persistent prayer can build faithfulness and dependence on God? [41:39]

4. How does the sermon propose that believers can move from being friendly to building deep friendships within the church community? [25:47]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current prayer life. Are there areas where you can simplify your prayers to be more honest and heartfelt? How might this change your relationship with God? [34:21]

2. Think about a time when you felt isolated. How can you actively seek out and build genuine connections within your church community to combat this feeling? [25:47]

3. Identify a situation in your life where you are waiting for God's justice or intervention. How can you practice patience and trust in God's timing during this period? [45:05]

4. Consider the role of social media in your life. Are there ways it might be contributing to feelings of loneliness or anxiety? What steps can you take to foster more in-person connections? [22:15]

5. How can you incorporate the practice of persistent prayer into your daily routine? What specific steps will you take to ensure you remain consistent in this practice? [39:00]

6. Reflect on a recent challenge or injustice you faced. How did you respond, and how might persistent prayer have changed your approach or perspective? [31:45]

7. Think of someone in your church community who might be feeling isolated. What practical steps can you take this week to reach out and build a deeper friendship with them? [25:47]

Devotional

Day 1: Building Genuine Community in a Digital Age
In today's world, where social media often leads to feelings of isolation and anxiety, the call to build genuine, Christ-like relationships is more important than ever. God designed us for community, not isolation, and our church family is a place to foster these connections. By moving from being merely friendly to building deep friendships, we can create a supportive environment where we share both our burdens and our joys. This involves not just gathering on Sundays but also engaging in meaningful interactions throughout the week. As we strive to grow in love, we are reminded that we are better together, and our collective strength lies in our unity. [25:47]

"Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your church community can you reach out to this week to build a deeper connection? How can you encourage them in their walk with Christ?


Day 2: The Power of Persistent Prayer
The parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18:1-8 teaches us the importance of persistent prayer. Jesus encourages us to always pray and not lose heart, even in the face of injustice and suffering. Persistent prayer fosters dependence on God, reminding us that our strength lies in Him, not in ourselves. This dependence builds faithfulness, as we trust in God's timing and justice, even when it seems delayed. By continually bringing our requests to God, we demonstrate our trust in His ability to act and His desire to bring about justice. [31:45]

"And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?" (Luke 18:7-8, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to persist in prayer? How can you commit to bringing this request to God daily?


Day 3: Simplicity and Honesty in Prayer
When we pray, we should keep it simple and real. God knows our hearts, so we should be honest about our feelings, whether of anger, disappointment, or fear. Simple prayers, like the widow's, are powerful because they come from the heart. Being honest with God about our emotions is crucial because He already knows our hearts. This authenticity in prayer allows us to deepen our relationship with God, as we come before Him without pretense, trusting that He hears and understands us completely. [34:21]

"O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar." (Psalm 139:1-2, ESV)

Reflection: What emotions have you been holding back from God in your prayers? How can you begin to express these feelings honestly to Him today?


Day 4: Trusting in God's Timing
God's timing is not our timing. Even when justice seems delayed, we trust in God's eternal perspective and His plan, knowing He is working for our good. Trusting in God's timing requires patience and faith, as we yield to His will and trust in His goodness and faithfulness. By surrendering our timelines to God, we acknowledge that His ways are higher than ours and that He is orchestrating all things for His glory and our ultimate benefit. [45:05]

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9, ESV)

Reflection: Is there a situation in your life where you are struggling to trust God's timing? How can you surrender this to Him and find peace in His plan?


Day 5: Building Faithfulness Through Dependence
Persistent prayer builds faithfulness as we depend on God. This faithfulness is rooted in our trust in His goodness and justice, even amidst life's challenges. By continually seeking God in prayer, we cultivate a deeper reliance on Him, recognizing that our strength and hope come from Him alone. As we depend on God, we grow in our faithfulness, trusting that He is working all things together for our good and His glory. [41:39]

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you increase your dependence on God this week? How can this dependence help you grow in faithfulness?

Quotes

"We move from being friendly to building friendships. We move from being friendly to one another to building friendships with each other. And our vision is to build friendships. And one way to achieve this is not only gathering together Sunday mornings as a church family, but we want to move it even a little further, a little deeper. And we want for each of you to begin to pray for each other, to pray for one another." [00:26:07] (30 seconds)


"When we pray, keep it simple. Praying is not about these long, verbose, flowery prayers. I've been in those prayers. I've been in prayers with some pastors that, oh my gosh, they're like giving a sermon, and they're expounding on their theology and stuff like that. I'm like blown away. But I'm like, what is this person actually praying about? It sounds great. But I'm like, just pray simply." [00:34:21] (30 seconds)


"Prayer is about being honest with God and what's on our hearts. And as hard as we try to hide our feelings from God, we can't. We can't hide our feelings because God knows. What we feel, he knows our hearts. God knows our hearts and our motives. So for us, don't hide your feelings from God. If you're upset with people, or even if you're upset at God, tell him. Tell him." [00:36:42] (30 seconds)


"When we pray, keep persisting. When we pray, keep persisting. What does that mean? Don't stop praying. Don't stop praying. See, the unjust judge, you saw earlier in the passage, took a while to respond to the widow's request. The pastor stated that he refused for a while. He ignored her. The widow fortunately didn't relent. She was persistent. We too must be persistent in praying to the Lord." [00:38:34] (33 seconds)


"Persistence fosters dependence on God. Persistence fosters dependence on God. Persistence fosters dependence on God. When we're persistently praying, we're depending upon God. Like the widow who had no power. We often deceive like we think we have power, we don't. But our strength lies in God and not our power. We must rely upon him. And our persistence strengthens this dependence on God." [00:39:32] (29 seconds)


"Persistently pray to our Heavenly Father. We can trust Him. Don't stop praying. Don't stop praying. It fosters dependence upon Him. It fosters faithfulness, and it grows our trust in Him. Don't stop praying. Why? Because God is a God of justice, and he will act in accordance to his will and his goodness and his righteousness, and we can trust him. We can trust him." [00:47:44] (34 seconds)


"When we pray, we pray to God individually, but it's not just we pray for ourselves. We pray for others. We intercede for others. And that's one of the things that I love, and I am blessed so much as a pastor, that I can pray for each and every one of you. Many of you send prayer requests, and I just pray for you. I just pray for you. and intercede i can't answer those prayers but i can pray to god to intercede on your behalf." [00:48:07] (29 seconds)


"We experience God very deeply in an intimate relationship with him. But it's increased even more because we share our relationship with God with each other because we share these memorable experiences with each other. We don't live in isolation. When you are going through a tough time, the world says, just isolate yourself. Withdraw. And many people say, I just need to take care of myself. No, don't." [00:53:19] (30 seconds)


"We have a relationship with God, but it's not in isolation. It's built together in community. We're better together. We're better together when we pray for each other. So this is what we're going to do. We have an acronym. It's called PRAY. See that? Three R's. PRAY. Get that. So this way you won't forget. PRAY. It's kind of like Tony the Tiger. Remember he'd say, it's great. It's PRAY. PAUSE." [00:54:06] (32 seconds)


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Transcript
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