Desperate Prayer: Transforming Our Lives in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Embrace the Holy Spirit's Transformative Power

Our destiny is to be conformed to the image of Jesus, a process that requires the Holy Spirit's transformative power. Limiting the Holy Spirit hinders this transformation, and we must invite Him to work within us, even through suffering, to mold us into Christ's likeness. The journey of faith is not a passive one; it demands active participation and a willingness to endure challenges. The Holy Spirit is not just a guide but a transformative force that reshapes our hearts and minds. By allowing the Holy Spirit to work within us, we open ourselves to the profound change necessary to reflect Christ's image. This transformation is not always easy, as it may involve trials and suffering, but it is through these experiences that we are refined and molded into the likeness of Jesus. [28:22]

2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV): "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."

Reflection: In what areas of your life have you been resisting the Holy Spirit's transformative work? How can you invite Him to mold you more into Christ's likeness today?

Day 2: Align Your Priorities with God's Will

Desperate prayer aligns our priorities with God's, shaping our destinies. Jesus' example in Gethsemane teaches us the importance of earnest prayer in fulfilling God's will, emphasizing the need for a deep, prayerful relationship with the Father. Desperate prayer is not merely about asking for personal desires but about seeking alignment with God's purposes. Jesus, in His moment of anguish in the Garden of Gethsemane, demonstrated the power of earnest prayer. His cries to the Father were not just requests for relief but a submission to God's will. This teaches us that true prayer involves surrendering our own agendas and aligning our hearts with God's desires. Through such prayer, we find the strength and clarity to pursue the path God has set before us. [32:15]

Colossians 4:2 (ESV): "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where your priorities may not align with God's will? How can you use prayer to realign your heart with His purposes today?

Day 3: Seek to Know God's Character

Knowing God's character and ways requires dedication and a willingness to seek Him with intensity. Moses' prayer in Exodus 33 exemplifies this pursuit, highlighting the importance of understanding God's nature to receive His favor. The pursuit of knowing God is akin to searching for hidden treasures. It requires a deep commitment and an earnest desire to understand His character and ways. Moses' prayer for understanding in Exodus 33 reveals a heart that longs to know God intimately. This pursuit is not just about gaining knowledge but about developing a relationship with God that is rooted in love and reverence. As we seek to know Him more, we position ourselves to receive His favor and guidance in our lives. [39:37]

Jeremiah 9:23-24 (ESV): "Thus says the Lord: 'Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.'"

Reflection: How can you dedicate time this week to seek a deeper understanding of God's character? What practical steps can you take to know Him more intimately?

Day 4: Pursue God's Favor Through Intimacy

God's favor is reserved for those who earnestly seek to know Him and align their lives with His character. This requires a deep, intimate relationship with God, akin to the love relationship depicted in the Song of Solomon. God's favor is not something that can be earned through mere actions; it is a result of a heart that earnestly seeks Him. This pursuit of intimacy with God is like a love story, where the desire to know and be known by Him is paramount. As we align our lives with His character and seek His presence, we find ourselves living in His favor. This relationship is not just about receiving blessings but about experiencing the fullness of life that comes from walking closely with God. [46:37]

Psalm 27:4 (ESV): "One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple."

Reflection: What steps can you take to deepen your relationship with God and seek His favor? How can you make His priorities your own in your daily life?

Day 5: Share the Love of Jesus Through the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit deepens our love for Jesus, compelling us to share His love with the world. By obeying the Holy Spirit, we cultivate a more intimate relationship with Christ, transforming our lives and the lives of those around us. The Holy Spirit is not only a source of personal transformation but also a catalyst for sharing the love of Jesus with others. As we grow in our love for Christ, we are naturally compelled to share His love with those around us. This is not just about evangelism but about living a life that reflects the love and grace of Jesus. By obeying the promptings of the Holy Spirit, we become vessels of His love, impacting the world in profound ways. [11:15]

Acts 1:8 (ESV): "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

Reflection: Who in your life needs to experience the love of Jesus today? How can you be intentional about sharing His love with them through your actions and words?

Sermon Summary

In our journey of faith, we are called to experience desperate praying for the fulfillment of our destinies. Our shared destiny, as outlined in Romans 8:29, is to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. This transformation is not a mere aspiration but a divine calling that requires us to rely on the Holy Spirit's power. Limiting the Holy Spirit is a mistake; instead, we should invite Him to work within us, even if it means enduring suffering or challenges, to mold us into Christ's likeness.

Desperate prayer is not just about asking for things but aligning our priorities with God's. Our choices shape our priorities, and these priorities, in turn, determine our destinies. Jesus Himself exemplified desperate prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, where He cried out to God with loud cries and tears, seeking strength to fulfill His mission. This teaches us the importance of earnest prayer in aligning our lives with God's will.

Knowing God's character and ways is another crucial aspect of our spiritual journey. Moses' prayer in Exodus 33:13-18 exemplifies a deep desire to understand God's nature. This pursuit requires dedication and a willingness to seek God with intensity, much like searching for hidden treasures. God's favor is reserved for those who earnestly seek to know Him and align their lives with His character.

Our relationship with God is not just about His unconditional love but also about seeking His favor. Favor comes from understanding what is important to God and making it important to us. This requires a deep, intimate relationship with Him, akin to the love relationship depicted in the Song of Solomon. Our spiritual growth is fueled by a passionate pursuit of God's presence and a willingness to obey His promptings.

Finally, the Holy Spirit plays a vital role in deepening our love for Jesus. By obeying the Holy Spirit, we cultivate a more intimate relationship with Christ. This intimacy is not just about personal fulfillment but also about sharing the gospel with others. As we grow in our love for Jesus, we are compelled to share His love with the world, transforming our lives and the lives of those around us.

Key Takeaways

1. Our destiny is to be conformed to the image of Jesus, a process that requires the Holy Spirit's transformative power. Limiting the Holy Spirit hinders this transformation, and we must invite Him to work within us, even through suffering, to mold us into Christ's likeness. [28:22]
2. Desperate prayer aligns our priorities with God's, shaping our destinies. Jesus' example in Gethsemane teaches us the importance of earnest prayer in fulfilling God's will, emphasizing the need for a deep, prayerful relationship with the Father. [32:15]
3. Knowing God's character and ways requires dedication and a willingness to seek Him with intensity. Moses' prayer in Exodus 33 exemplifies this pursuit, highlighting the importance of understanding God's nature to receive His favor. [39:37]
4. God's favor is reserved for those who earnestly seek to know Him and align their lives with His character. This requires a deep, intimate relationship with God, akin to the love relationship depicted in the Song of Solomon. [46:37]
5. The Holy Spirit deepens our love for Jesus, compelling us to share His love with the world. By obeying the Holy Spirit, we cultivate a more intimate relationship with Christ, transforming our lives and the lives of those around us. [11:15]
** [11:15]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[26:32] - Introduction to Desperate Praying
[27:00] - Our Shared Destiny
[28:22] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
[30:04] - Aligning Priorities with God
[32:15] - Jesus' Desperate Prayer
[35:23] - The Agony of Crucifixion
[37:07] - Knowing God's Character
[39:37] - Moses' Prayer for Understanding
[43:52] - God's Unconditional Love vs. Favor
[46:37] - Pursuing God's Favor
[49:11] - The Importance of Insight
[52:17] - Seeking God's Knowledge
[54:22] - Intimacy with Jesus
[59:04] - The Price of Favor

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

Romans 8:29
Exodus 33:13-18
Hebrews 5:7

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Observation Questions:

According to Romans 8:29, what is the shared destiny of believers, and how does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on being conformed to the image of Jesus? [27:00]
In the sermon, how is Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane described, and what does it reveal about His relationship with God the Father? [32:15]
What does Moses' prayer in Exodus 33:13-18 demonstrate about his desire to know God, and how is this connected to the concept of seeking God's favor? [39:37]
How does the sermon describe the role of the Holy Spirit in transforming believers into the likeness of Christ? [28:22]

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Interpretation Questions:

What does it mean to be conformed to the image of Jesus, and how does the Holy Spirit facilitate this transformation in believers' lives? [28:22]
How does the example of Jesus' desperate prayer in Gethsemane challenge our understanding of prayer and its role in fulfilling God's will? [32:15]
In what ways does knowing God's character and ways, as exemplified by Moses, impact a believer's relationship with God and their pursuit of His favor? [39:37]
How does the sermon suggest that the Holy Spirit deepens our love for Jesus, and what implications does this have for sharing the gospel with others? [11:15]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on your current prayer life. How can you incorporate more "desperate prayers" that align your priorities with God's will? What specific steps can you take this week to make this a regular practice? [30:04]
Consider a time when you felt distant from God. How did you seek to understand His character and ways during that period? What can you do now to deepen your understanding of God, similar to Moses' pursuit? [39:37]
Identify an area in your life where you might be limiting the Holy Spirit's work. What changes can you make to invite the Holy Spirit to transform you more into the likeness of Christ, even if it involves challenges or suffering? [28:22]
Think about a recent situation where you struggled to prioritize God's will over your own desires. How can Jesus' example in Gethsemane inspire you to seek God's strength in similar situations? [32:15]
How can you cultivate a more intimate relationship with Jesus, akin to the love relationship depicted in the Song of Solomon? What practical steps can you take to express your love for Jesus daily? [54:22]
Reflect on a time when you shared the gospel with someone. How did your love for Jesus influence that interaction? What can you do to ensure that your love for Jesus compels you to share His love with others more frequently? [11:15]
Consider the role of suffering in your spiritual growth. How can you view challenges as opportunities for the Holy Spirit to mold you into Christ's likeness? What mindset shift is needed to embrace this perspective? [29:42]

Sermon Clips

In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears to him who was able to save him from death. He was able to keep him alive. God, keep me alive, Father, so that I can go through the agonies of this physical and mental suffering. [00:35:23]

Moses prayed a prayer in Exodus 33:13. Now therefore I pray if I have found Grace in your sight, show me now your way that I may know you and that I might find a Grace in other words more grace in your sight. And then Verse 18 he goes deeper and he says, pray I pray Show Me Your Glory. [00:39:37]

Moses was so desperate for this close relationship with God, listen to this, he was willing to go without food and water and climb Mount Sinai three times alone to be with God and remain there for protracted lengths of time. Moses kept pressing the point with God as an intercessor and wanting to be God's friend. [00:42:37]

Yes, God loves us all unconditionally, no question, no question about that. But listen, God isn't excitedly jumping up and down over you if you're in disobedience and you're in unbelief and you don't know his ways and you're mouthing out stuff about him and you don't know him, therefore you're giving a distorted view of his character. [00:43:52]

I want that more than anything else. I'm not content to know that he unconditionally loves me. I want his favor, his favor, his favor, and he only gives his favor to intimate close friends who've taken the time to pursue to understand what makes him tick. [00:44:42]

Are you desperate to understand what makes God tick? Why does he do this? Why does he say that? What's his character like? I have spent a lifetime, I'm 87, a lifetime study the character and the ways of God. I have to correct that. I've spent 55 years of my 87 years desperately seeking to know the character and the ways of God. [00:45:04]

The Holy Spirit's main Ministry is to cause us to love and promote Jesus and tell others about him. Like we heard this morning, as a result of what you heard this morning in the whole thing about gossiping the gospel, let's get it down to that. [01:11:14]

When the Holy Spirit prompts you and me, stop now what you're doing, listen to my voice, go to my word, obey something he tells you to do and you say it's not convenient. I heard you, I'll do that in my time. How many times without number have we done that before the fear of the Lord hit our lives? [01:04:54]

When the shulamite maiden got up and couldn't stand it that her beloved had gone, she went out in the street in the night looking, saying where is my beloved, where is my beloved, I can't bear it that I can't find him. And when the others asked her why are you so upset that you can't find your beloved, oh she answers in verse 10. [01:06:41]

When you're with Jesus just let it all rip out, you know, just let it all flow out, sing. He doesn't care whether you can't sing or not, he loves to hear your voice. He just wants to have a two-way love relationship with him. If you're getting nothing else in these two sessions are you getting it to be in love with Jesus is where the action is. [01:10:45]

Obey the Holy Spirit and you're more in love with Jesus. That's the Holy Spirit's main Ministry is to cause us to love and promote Jesus and tell others about him. Like we heard this morning, as a result of what you heard this morning in the whole thing about gossiping the gospel, let's get it down to that. [01:11:15]

I want that more than anything else. I'm not content to know that he unconditionally loves me. I want his favor, his favor, his favor, and he only gives his favor to intimate close friends who've taken the time to pursue to understand what makes him tick. [00:44:42]

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