Embracing Prayer: The Power of Faithful Persistence

 

Summary

In this week of prayer, we are invited to engage deeply with God, embracing our identity as "The Fellowship of the Withered Hand." This name reflects our acknowledgment of our limitations and our reliance on God's power. The story of Bob, a new Christian who prayed for Uganda, serves as a powerful illustration of how God can work through our prayers in unexpected ways. Bob's journey began with a simple commitment to pray for Uganda every day for 45 days. Despite having no personal connections or prior interest in the country, his prayers led to significant changes, including the release of political prisoners and a spiritual renewal in Uganda.

This narrative encourages us to approach prayer with faith and persistence, trusting that God hears and responds to our petitions. We are challenged to pray daily for something that burdens our hearts, with the assurance that God delights in answering our prayers. The guidelines for this week of prayer include choosing a specific focus, praying consistently, and being attentive to God's guidance throughout the day. We are reminded not to fabricate miracles but to remain open to the genuine work of God in our lives.

As we embark on this week of prayer, we are encouraged to share our prayer requests with others and to support one another in prayer. Whether we are praying for personal concerns or broader issues, we are united in our dependence on God and our desire to see His will accomplished. This week is an opportunity to deepen our relationship with God, to listen for His voice, and to witness His power at work in our lives and the world around us.

Key Takeaways:

- The Power of Persistent Prayer: Bob's story demonstrates the impact of persistent prayer. Despite having no connections to Uganda, his commitment to pray daily led to significant changes. This teaches us that our prayers, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, can have far-reaching effects when we trust God to work through them. [03:08]

- God's Unexpected Answers: Bob's experience shows that God often answers prayers in unexpected ways. By being open to God's leading and attentive to opportunities around us, we can witness His work in surprising and transformative ways. This encourages us to remain vigilant and expectant in our prayer lives. [04:40]

- Prayer as Partnership with God: Prayer is not just about asking for things; it's about partnering with God in His work. Bob's actions, inspired by his prayers, led to tangible changes in Uganda. This reminds us that prayer can prompt us to take action and be part of God's solutions. [05:09]

- Avoiding Manufactured Miracles: We are cautioned against fabricating miracles or forcing explanations for God's work. Authentic faith recognizes that God is at work in the ordinary and extraordinary, and we should celebrate His genuine interventions without embellishment. [08:53]

- Community in Prayer: We are encouraged to share our prayer requests with others and to support one another in prayer. This communal aspect of prayer strengthens our faith and allows us to witness God's work in each other's lives, fostering a deeper sense of unity and purpose. [09:20]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:01] - Introduction to the Week of Prayer
- [01:16] - The Story of Bob and Doug Co
- [01:52] - Bob's Commitment to Pray for Uganda
- [02:36] - The Challenge and the Bet
- [03:36] - Bob's Encounter at the Dinner
- [04:40] - Bob's Visit to Uganda
- [05:09] - Impact of Bob's Letters
- [05:35] - Meeting the President
- [06:00] - The Release of Political Prisoners
- [06:48] - Bob's Continued Influence
- [07:34] - The Challenge for the Congregation
- [08:08] - Guidelines for Prayer
- [09:09] - Avoiding Manufactured Miracles
- [09:20] - Joining the Prayer Team
- [09:33] - Closing Prayer and Encouragement

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

1. Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV) - "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."

2. James 5:16b (NIV) - "The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."

3. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV) - "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

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Observation Questions:

1. What was Bob's initial reaction to the idea of praying for Uganda, and how did his commitment to prayer evolve over time? [02:22]

2. How did Bob's encounter at the dinner in Washington serve as a turning point in his prayer journey for Uganda? [03:36]

3. What specific actions did Bob take after his visit to Uganda, and what were the outcomes of those actions? [04:56]

4. How does the sermon describe the role of community in prayer, and what benefits are highlighted? [09:20]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the story of Bob illustrate the concept of "The Fellowship of the Withered Hand," and what does this metaphor suggest about human limitations and divine power? [01:01]

2. In what ways does Bob's story demonstrate the unexpected ways God can answer prayers, and how might this challenge common perceptions of prayer? [04:40]

3. How does the sermon caution against "manufactured miracles," and what does this imply about authentic faith and recognizing God's work? [08:53]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between prayer and action, and how does Bob's story exemplify this connection? [05:09]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt limited in your abilities. How can embracing the idea of "The Fellowship of the Withered Hand" change your approach to prayer and reliance on God? [01:01]

2. Identify a specific issue or burden on your heart. How can you commit to praying for it daily this week, and what steps will you take to remain consistent in your prayers? [07:34]

3. Consider a situation where you experienced an unexpected answer to prayer. How did it affect your faith, and how can you remain open to God's surprising interventions in the future? [04:40]

4. How can you actively listen for God's guidance in your daily life, and what practical steps can you take to be more attentive to His leading? [08:24]

5. Think about a community or group you are part of. How can you encourage and support each other in prayer, and what role can you play in fostering a communal prayer environment? [09:20]

6. Reflect on the idea of avoiding "manufactured miracles." How can you cultivate a genuine faith that celebrates God's work without embellishment? [08:53]

7. How can you incorporate the practice of praying continually, as suggested in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, into your daily routine? What challenges might you face, and how can you overcome them?

Devotional

Day 1: The Transformative Power of Persistent Prayer
Persistent prayer can lead to profound changes, even when we feel disconnected from the subject of our prayers. Bob's story exemplifies this truth. Despite having no personal ties to Uganda, his unwavering commitment to pray for the country every day for 45 days resulted in significant transformations, including the release of political prisoners and a spiritual renewal. This narrative encourages us to approach prayer with faith and persistence, trusting that God hears and responds to our petitions. Our prayers, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, can have far-reaching effects when we trust God to work through them. [03:08]

Isaiah 62:6-7 (ESV): "On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have set watchmen; all the day and all the night they shall never be silent. You who put the Lord in remembrance, take no rest, and give him no rest until he establishes Jerusalem and makes it a praise in the earth."

Reflection: What is one specific area or issue in your life or the world that you feel called to pray for persistently? How can you commit to praying for it daily this week?


Day 2: Embracing God's Unexpected Answers
God often answers prayers in unexpected ways, as seen in Bob's experience. By being open to God's leading and attentive to opportunities around us, we can witness His work in surprising and transformative ways. Bob's journey began with a simple commitment to pray, yet it led him to unexpected encounters and significant changes in Uganda. This encourages us to remain vigilant and expectant in our prayer lives, trusting that God may answer in ways we never imagined. [04:40]

Habakkuk 1:5 (ESV): "Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told."

Reflection: Think of a time when God answered a prayer in an unexpected way. How can you remain open to His surprising answers in your current prayer life?


Day 3: Prayer as a Partnership with God
Prayer is not just about asking for things; it's about partnering with God in His work. Bob's actions, inspired by his prayers, led to tangible changes in Uganda. This reminds us that prayer can prompt us to take action and be part of God's solutions. When we pray, we align ourselves with God's will and become active participants in His plans, allowing us to witness His power at work in the world. [05:09]

2 Corinthians 6:1 (ESV): "Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain."

Reflection: How can you actively partner with God in the areas you are praying for? What steps can you take to be part of His solutions today?


Day 4: Celebrating Authentic Miracles
We are cautioned against fabricating miracles or forcing explanations for God's work. Authentic faith recognizes that God is at work in the ordinary and extraordinary, and we should celebrate His genuine interventions without embellishment. This calls us to trust in God's timing and methods, acknowledging His sovereignty and celebrating His true work in our lives and the world around us. [08:53]

Psalm 40:5 (ESV): "You have multiplied, O Lord my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent experience where you witnessed God's genuine work. How can you celebrate and share this authentic miracle with others?


Day 5: Strengthening Community through Shared Prayer
We are encouraged to share our prayer requests with others and to support one another in prayer. This communal aspect of prayer strengthens our faith and allows us to witness God's work in each other's lives, fostering a deeper sense of unity and purpose. By joining together in prayer, we build a supportive community that uplifts and encourages one another, creating a powerful network of faith and love. [09:20]

James 5:16 (ESV): "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."

Reflection: Who in your community can you reach out to for prayer support this week? How can you also offer to pray for someone else's needs?

Quotes


Bob was not uh particularly wealthy or particularly con connected but he met Jesus and he he read passages in the Bible like where Jesus says ask and seek and knock ask whatever you will in my name and I'll give it to you and uh Bob asked Doug Co is that really true does God really do that Jesus really do that and Doug said yeah he really does now you have to understand that in the context of all of scripture, it's not a magical formula you can't use it selfishly and so but God responds to he hears and ansers prayer. [00:01:30]

Bob said the Doug well I got to start praying about something then and Doug said all right what do you want to pray for and Bob said I think I'll pray for Africa and Doug said well that's a little big that's a little vague can you narrow it down and Bob said all right I think I'll pray for Uganda and Doug said oh you've been to Uganda nope you know people there oh I just want to pray for Uganda. [00:02:20]

Bob was a new Christian so okay I'll do it so he starts praying and for about a month nothing happens and then he is at a dinner in Washington one evening and people sitting around the table talking about what they do and one of the women says that she runs the largest uh orphanage slmed facility of its kind in the country of Uganda and all of a sudden Bob was just been sitting there like a bump up until now Roars to life and starts preppering this woman with questions about what it is that she does and how it's going. [00:03:36]

Bob says yes and we'll come back to this is part of a prayer life talking to God about what we're doing together Bob says yeah so he goes over and he tours this facility and he is appalled by the suffering and the pain and the Despair and so when he comes back out of that experience out of his prayer he begins to write to the heads of like multinational pharmaceutical companies and and says you know there's every year you throw away millions of dollars of medical supplies and there's kids over here that are dying and they need you ought to send some of those supplies to this place. [00:04:40]

Bob gets back on a plane again Doug Cod tells me this story flies back to Uganda and they have this big party because it's not a real country and this is the largest facility of his kind the president comes to this party and meets Bob and offers to take him on a little tour of the capital and on while they're going on that tour Bob sees a group of prisoners over there and he asks the president what are they in for the President says well they're political prisoners and Bob says oh that's not a good idea you to let them free. [00:05:35]

State Department goes on to tell Bob that the US had been working for the release of those prisoners for years to no avail and they had just been informed that they have now been released in part because of Bob sometime later Bob gets a phone call from the president he's going to select a new cabinet and he says to Bob I'd like for you to come over and pray for me while I am selecting a new cabinet for my government so Bob knows nobody no connections gets on a plane flies back over there prays for the president. [00:06:48]

Prayer may not look like that for you or for me but Jesus says that we follow a God who loves to answer prayer so here's the challenge uh you pray this week every day for something that's on your heart and if at the end of this week God has not clearly answered your prayers I will not pay you $500 but if God does you don't have to pay me anything but the de is We're The Fellowship of the withered hand we seek God's help um we're going to stand with each other in prayer and there's going to be stories that will come out of this week and I'd love to hear them. [00:07:34]

Pick something that you pray about that you care about keep praying every day just persist for this week listen what thoughts come when you pray God telling you to do anything like write to companies the way that Bob did uh and then you walk through your day look for God like if Bob had not noticed there's this woman from Uganda at his table he could have missed it and we do that all the time if we're not praying we don't have the opportunity to see God show up in our life. [00:08:08]

Do not manufacture artificial Miracles God's involved that's a great thing sometimes in church circles there can be this weird kind of pressure to come up with some kind of weird strain Supernatural story we're deeply human We Are The Fellowship of the withered hand so uh don't manufacture or Force any explanation for something and then we have a prayer team that loves to be in prayer so if you have something and you'd like to ask somebody else to stand with you in prayer then let the prayer team know about that. [00:08:53]

If you'd like to be a part of that prayer team if you would like to pray for other folks and stand with them then uh you can let Tim Williams know here it become new and love to have you do that this week right now we're going to pray right where you are so if you want to close your eyes you can do that or keep them open just pray right now Our Father who is in heaven may you be revered and loved and I'll just simply tell God about what you care about what you want to pray for that relationship that person that problem that need that anxiety that hope that dream tell God right now. [00:09:20]

Part of what Jesus said in the sermon of the mount is don't be like the pagans who think that they will be heard because of their many words in Babylon they just think there's a mechanical formula and a power out there no no no this is our father this is the one who loves us this is the one to whom we pray this is our week of prayer together make it a golden rule. [00:10:50]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?