Empowered Prayer: Faith, Perseverance, and Divine Restoration
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound power of prayer, particularly the prayer of faith that can heal and restore. We began by understanding that God often restores us emotionally even when our circumstances remain unchanged. The prayer of faith is not just about physical healing but also about removing weariness and addressing sin, which can sometimes be the root cause of our struggles. We are encouraged to confess our sins to one another and pray for each other, as this mutual support can lead to healing and deliverance.
We delved into the story of Elijah, a prophet who, despite being an ordinary man, demonstrated extraordinary faith through earnest prayer. Elijah's prayers were not casual; they were fervent and focused, rooted in God's promises. He prayed for the rain to stop and then for it to start again, aligning his prayers with God's word. This teaches us the importance of praying with our Bibles open, reminding God of His promises, and holding Him to His word.
Elijah's story also illustrates the need for perseverance in prayer. He prayed seven times before seeing a small cloud, a sign of the coming rain. This persistence is crucial because God's answers can be yes, no, or wait. While waiting, we must continue to pray until we receive a clear answer. Sometimes, God gives us a glimpse of His plans, a small sign to encourage us to keep trusting and praying.
Finally, we saw how Elijah, empowered by God, outran a horse, symbolizing the strength and renewal that comes from waiting on the Lord. This is a reminder that when we pray earnestly and align our prayers with God's will, we can experience His supernatural power in our lives.
Key Takeaways:
1. Emotional Restoration Through Prayer: God often restores us emotionally even when our circumstances remain unchanged. The prayer of faith can remove weariness and address sin, which may be the root cause of our struggles. Confessing our sins and praying for one another leads to healing and deliverance. [12:21]
2. The Power of Earnest Prayer: Elijah's story shows the power of earnest, focused prayer. His prayers were not casual but fervent and rooted in God's promises. This teaches us to pray with our Bibles open, reminding God of His word and holding Him to His promises. [15:08]
3. Perseverance in Prayer: Elijah's persistence in prayer, praying seven times before seeing a small cloud, highlights the importance of perseverance. God's answers can be yes, no, or wait, and while waiting, we must continue to pray until we receive a clear answer. [20:29]
4. Small Signs of God's Plans: Sometimes, God gives us a small sign, like the fist-sized cloud, to encourage us to keep trusting and praying. These glimpses of His plans remind us to remain faithful and hopeful, even when we don't see the full picture. [21:20]
5. Supernatural Strength Through Prayer: Elijah outrunning a horse symbolizes the strength and renewal that comes from waiting on the Lord. When we pray earnestly and align our prayers with God's will, we can experience His supernatural power in our lives. [22:59]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [12:21] - Emotional Restoration Through Prayer
- [12:38] - The Prayer of Faith
- [13:09] - Confession and Healing
- [14:04] - Effective Prayer of the Righteous
- [15:08] - Elijah's Earnest Prayer
- [16:18] - The Story of Elijah and Ahab
- [17:10] - Praying with God's Word
- [18:38] - Elijah's Posture of Prayer
- [19:15] - Birthing God's Will Through Prayer
- [20:29] - Perseverance in Prayer
- [21:20] - Small Signs of God's Plans
- [22:08] - The Coming Storm
- [22:59] - Supernatural Strength Through Prayer
- [23:33] - The Power of Fervent Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. James 5:16-18
2. 1 Kings 18:41-46
3. Isaiah 40:31
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Observation Questions:
1. What does James 5:16-18 say about the power of a righteous person's prayer? How does this relate to Elijah's story? [14:04]
2. In 1 Kings 18:41-46, what specific actions did Elijah take to demonstrate his faith and perseverance in prayer? [18:38]
3. How does Isaiah 40:31 describe the strength and renewal that comes from waiting on the Lord? How is this illustrated in Elijah's story? [22:59]
4. According to the sermon, what role does confessing sins to one another play in the process of healing and deliverance? [13:09]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of Elijah illustrate the importance of aligning our prayers with God's promises? What does it mean to pray with our Bibles open? [17:28]
2. Why is perseverance in prayer important, and how can we discern between God's answers of "yes," "no," or "wait"? [20:29]
3. What does the small cloud in Elijah's story symbolize about God's plans and how we should respond to them? [21:20]
4. How does the sermon suggest that emotional restoration can occur even when our circumstances remain unchanged? [12:21]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced emotional restoration through prayer, even if your circumstances didn't change. How did that impact your faith? [12:21]
2. Elijah's prayers were fervent and focused. What steps can you take to make your prayer life more earnest and aligned with God's promises? [15:08]
3. Consider a situation in your life where you are waiting for God's answer. How can you practice perseverance in prayer during this time? [20:29]
4. Have you ever received a small sign from God that encouraged you to keep trusting and praying? How did you respond to that sign? [21:20]
5. In what ways can you support others in your community through confession and prayer, as encouraged in the sermon? [13:09]
6. Elijah experienced supernatural strength through prayer. How can you rely on God's strength in your daily challenges? [22:59]
7. Identify a specific promise from the Bible that you can hold onto in prayer this week. How will you remind yourself of this promise daily? [17:28]
Devotional
Day 1: Emotional Restoration Through Prayer
God often restores us emotionally even when our circumstances remain unchanged. The prayer of faith can remove weariness and address sin, which may be the root cause of our struggles. Confessing our sins and praying for one another leads to healing and deliverance. This process of emotional restoration is a testament to the power of prayer in our lives. When we open our hearts to God and to each other, we create a space for healing and transformation. The act of confession and mutual prayer is not just a ritual but a profound spiritual practice that can lead to deep emotional renewal. [12:21]
"Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord." (James 5:13-14, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a personal struggle you are facing. Can you identify any underlying emotional or spiritual weariness? How can you invite God and a trusted friend into this area for prayer and support today?
Day 2: The Power of Earnest Prayer
Elijah's story shows the power of earnest, focused prayer. His prayers were not casual but fervent and rooted in God's promises. This teaches us to pray with our Bibles open, reminding God of His word and holding Him to His promises. Elijah's example encourages us to approach prayer with intentionality and faith, trusting that God hears and responds to our heartfelt petitions. By aligning our prayers with Scripture, we can deepen our connection with God and experience the transformative power of His promises in our lives. [15:08]
"And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him." (1 John 5:14-15, ESV)
Reflection: Consider a promise from Scripture that resonates with you. How can you incorporate this promise into your prayer life, reminding God of His word and trusting in His faithfulness?
Day 3: Perseverance in Prayer
Elijah's persistence in prayer, praying seven times before seeing a small cloud, highlights the importance of perseverance. God's answers can be yes, no, or wait, and while waiting, we must continue to pray until we receive a clear answer. This perseverance is a testament to our faith and trust in God's timing and wisdom. Even when the answer is delayed, our continued prayer demonstrates our reliance on God and our commitment to His will. [20:29]
"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." (Romans 12:12, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a prayer request you have been waiting on. How can you remain steadfast in prayer, trusting in God's timing and continuing to seek His guidance and peace?
Day 4: Small Signs of God's Plans
Sometimes, God gives us a small sign, like the fist-sized cloud, to encourage us to keep trusting and praying. These glimpses of His plans remind us to remain faithful and hopeful, even when we don't see the full picture. Recognizing and appreciating these small signs can strengthen our faith and encourage us to continue seeking God's will in our lives. [21:20]
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a small sign or blessing you have recently experienced. How can this serve as a reminder of God's presence and encouragement to continue trusting in His plans?
Day 5: Supernatural Strength Through Prayer
Elijah outrunning a horse symbolizes the strength and renewal that comes from waiting on the Lord. When we pray earnestly and align our prayers with God's will, we can experience His supernatural power in our lives. This strength is not of our own making but a gift from God, empowering us to accomplish what seems impossible. By relying on God's strength, we can overcome challenges and fulfill His purposes for our lives. [22:59]
"But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31, ESV)
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you feel weak or overwhelmed. How can you invite God's supernatural strength into this area through prayer and trust in His provision?
Quotes
through other times he he walks beside you he restores you emotionally even though you're waiting for him to restore you circumstantially or physically sometimes he does both but the restore here is to remove the weariness while you still trust him for the solution he says the prayer of faith will heal the sick it will remove the weariness and the Lord will raise him up and if he has committed sins because maybe he didn't but if he has they will be forgiven. [00:12:10]
therefore confess your sins to one another he says in verse 16 acknowledge the sin that's created the weariness for which you need to repent he says confess to one another and then he says and pray for one another so you only confess to somebody who's going to pray for you not talk about you so the confess to is the pray for he says that you may be healed that you may be delivered from or through whatever is taking place in your life. [00:13:23]
the effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much the effective the word there means en eniz remember the Energizer Bunny the energized prayer an energized prayer is a focused prayer it is a prayer that is God centered the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man he says can accomplish much and then he gives an illustration so stick with me because this is a doozy. [00:14:12]
Elijah was a man with a nature like ours however this ordinary man who was a prophet it says he prayed notice the word earnestly he wasn't being casual he prayed earnestly that it would not rain and it did not rain on the earth for three years and 6 months this three and a half years then he prayed again verse 17 says and the sky poured rain and the Earth produced its fruit. [00:15:08]
he prayed and he closed Heaven down for three and a half years he's on Earth but he praying to heaven and he shut Heaven down when it came to rain three and a half years later he prayed again and he opened Heaven up Heaven did just close and open on its own it says he prayed and it closed he prayed and it opened. [00:15:36]
he was praying based on what God has said God said it's not going to rain God said it is going to rain so he prayed watch this based on God's word so the first thing you need to know is you need to pray with your Bible open you need to pray say God you said this let me show you in case you forgot God you said this and I'm holding you to your word. [00:17:28]
he took the posture of a pregnant woman who was in labor the Bible calls it travail he was in labor and he said I need some rain I want some rain I'm going to push and push and push till I get some rain oh you know what God wants you to do he wants you to birth his will from heaven in history by calling it down drawing it down pushing it down until that baby of Deliverance that baby of healing that baby of Victory comes forth. [00:19:19]
sometimes people say how long should I pray for something how long should I talk to God I've been praying about this for years and nothing has happened how long should I pray well let me explain something God only has three answers yes no or wait if he hadn't said yes and he hadn't said no that means wait so what you do while you wait you pray till you get a yes or no you pray to completion. [00:20:41]
when he went out the seventh time he said I saw a cloud coming out of the sea like the size of a man's fist you know how small a cloud that is he said I just saw a little Cloud I don't see a storm I just see a little fist-sized cloud Elijah said he said after the seventh time and he saw the cloud Ahab prepare your chariot verse 44 and go down so the heavy shower does not stop you. [00:21:12]
he didn't let him see a shower he let him see a cloud see sometime when God's ready to move he ain't going to let you see the whole thing he just let you see a little something something to give you a taste that's why the Bible says oh taste and see that the Lord is good he may not give you the whole meal he may just give you a sample plate. [00:21:40]
then the hand of the Lord was on Elijah and he gted up his loins and outran Ahab to jezel no you didn't Ahab is on a horse Ahab is riding a horse oh oh oh Elijah picks up his cloak ties it up and he Hoops it he Hoops it and he outruns a horse to jezrael I believe Isaiah put it this way they that wait upon the Lord will have new strength they will Mount up with wings like eagles they will run and not get weary they will walk and not faint. [00:22:41]
somebody here ought to be willing to pray somebody here ought to be willing to cry out to God somebody ought to be willing to touch Heaven because the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. [00:23:33]
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