Faith, Prayer, and Miracles: A Call to Action
Summary
In his sermon, Pastor George Flattery draws from the Gospel of Luke to illustrate the power of faith and prayer in seeking miracles. He recounts the story of a blind man who, upon hearing that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by, cried out for mercy. Despite being silenced by the crowd, the man persisted, and Jesus healed him, acknowledging his faith. Pastor Flattery uses this narrative to encourage the congregation to have faith in Jesus' readiness to help and to pray for miracles in their lives.
Pastor Flattery shares a humorous yet impactful message about Jesus being our "champignons" (mushrooms) instead of our champion, leading to an unexpected number of people accepting Jesus into their hearts. He emphasizes the importance of praying with authority and power, as Jesus gave his disciples, and the difference between power and authority. The sermon stresses the need to act in the authority given to us by God.
The importance of persistent prayer is highlighted through a personal story of a 17-year-old boy who returned to faith due to persistent prayer. Pastor Flattery urges the congregation to pray persistently for their prodigal children and for healing, proclaiming that someone will testify to returning to Jesus after six weeks. He leads the congregation in a moment of praise and thanksgiving, reinforcing the power of praise.
Pastor Flattery shares a personal anecdote about praying for a sick woman, initially with the wrong focus, but then with fervent prayer acknowledging God's sovereignty. He encourages passionate prayer, reminding the congregation that acknowledging their need for God can be the most powerful prayer.
The sermon also touches on the importance of knowing God and trusting in Him for miracles. Pastor Flattery shares his missionary experiences in Paris, ministering to various individuals, and emphasizes that everyone has the right and capacity to pray for healing and miracles.
Being specific in our prayers is another key point, as illustrated by the story of Jesus healing a blind man. Pastor Flattery shares a testimony of a blind baby named Stephanie who was healed through specific and faithful prayer. He also shares his personal testimony of returning to Jesus, highlighting the power of persistent prayer.
Pastor Flattery concludes by emphasizing the authority believers have in their conversations with God, encouraging them to declare their authority in prayer and to speak confidently to their situations. He shares a story of a little boy at a supermarket who confidently asserts his authority, and a personal story about his daughter Christie's miraculous healing after being hit by a car, demonstrating the power of prayer and forgiveness.
Key Takeaways:
- Faith is a critical component in seeking miracles, as demonstrated by the blind man in Luke's Gospel. Jesus' response to the man's persistent cries for mercy, despite the crowd's opposition, teaches us that Jesus is always attentive to those who earnestly seek Him with faith. This encourages believers to trust in Jesus' willingness to intervene in their lives. [03:16]
- The authority to pray for miracles is not exclusive to church leaders; it is a privilege extended to all believers. Pastor Flattery's experiences as a missionary show that God's presence and anointing are essential for healing and transformation, and that every Christian can be a vessel for God's miraculous work. [07:53]
- Persistent prayer can have a profound impact on the lives of those who have strayed from their faith. The pastor's personal story of being brought back to faith through his father's prayers exemplifies the transformative power of consistent and heartfelt intercession. [26:58]
- The act of praising God is not only an expression of worship but also a powerful spiritual practice that can lead to miraculous outcomes. Testimonies of healing and deliverance shared by Pastor Flattery underscore the significance of praise in experiencing God's intervention. [37:35]
- Praying with specificity and faith is essential, as illustrated by the healing of the blind baby Stephanie. Believers are encouraged to approach God with precise requests and a heart of thanksgiving, trusting that He will answer according to His will. [34:27]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 18:35-43 - The story of the blind man healed by Jesus.
2. Exodus 15:26 - "I am the Lord who heals you."
3. Mark 11:24 - "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."
#### Observation Questions
1. What did the blind man do when he heard that Jesus was passing by? (Luke 18:38)
2. How did the crowd react to the blind man's cries for mercy, and what was his response? (Luke 18:39)
3. What was Jesus' response to the blind man's persistence? (Luke 18:42)
4. According to Pastor Flattery, what is the difference between power and authority in prayer? [10:08]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the blind man continued to cry out for Jesus despite the crowd's attempts to silence him? (Luke 18:39)
2. How does Pastor Flattery's story about the 17-year-old boy illustrate the power of persistent prayer? [26:58]
3. What does it mean to pray with authority, and how can believers exercise this in their daily lives? [10:08]
4. How does the act of praising God relate to experiencing His intervention, according to Pastor Flattery? [37:35]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you needed a miracle. How did your faith and persistence in prayer impact the outcome? How can you apply this lesson to a current situation in your life? [03:16]
2. Pastor Flattery emphasized the importance of praying with authority. Identify a specific area in your life where you need to exercise this authority. How will you approach this in prayer? [10:08]
3. Think about someone in your life who has strayed from their faith. How can you commit to praying persistently for their return to Jesus? What specific steps will you take to support them? [26:58]
4. Pastor Flattery shared a humorous story about Jesus being our "champignons." How can humor and humility play a role in your spiritual journey and prayer life? [08:35]
5. Consider a recent challenge you faced. How did you incorporate praise and thanksgiving into your prayers? How can you make praise a more consistent part of your prayer life? [37:35]
6. Pastor Flattery shared a testimony of a blind baby named Stephanie who was healed through specific and faithful prayer. Identify a specific need in your life and write out a precise prayer request for it. How will you maintain faith and thanksgiving as you wait for God's response? [34:27]
7. Reflect on the story of Pastor Flattery's daughter Christie's miraculous healing. How can you practice forgiveness and trust in God's sovereignty in your own life, especially in difficult situations? [39:47]
Devotional
Day 1: Faith Ignites Divine Intervention
Faith is not passive; it is an active force that calls upon the divine to intervene in the most challenging circumstances. Like the blind man who cried out to Jesus, faith compels one to seek and expect miracles, even when others may discourage such hope. Faith is the key that unlocks the power of God in one's life. [03:16]
Hebrews 11:6 - "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
Reflection: Can you identify an area in your life where you need a miracle? How can you exercise your faith more actively in this situation?
Day 2: Authority in Prayer is Universal
The authority to pray for miracles is not reserved for a select few; it is a gift bestowed upon every believer. This authority is rooted in the understanding that God's anointing is available to all who call upon His name with sincerity and faith, empowering them to be conduits of His miraculous power. [07:53]
James 5:16b - "The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."
Reflection: How can you embrace and exercise the authority you have in prayer this week, believing that God can work through you?
Day 3: The Transformative Power of Persistent Prayer
Persistent prayer is a testament to unwavering faith and can lead to profound changes in the lives of individuals, especially those who have lost their way. It is through steadfast intercession that hearts are softened, and lives are drawn back to faith, demonstrating the enduring love and patience of the one who prays. [26:58]
Colossians 4:2 - "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful."
Reflection: Is there someone you know who has strayed from their faith? How can you commit to praying persistently for them, starting today?
Day 4: Praise as a Pathway to Miracles
Praise is more than a form of worship; it is a dynamic spiritual practice that can lead to breakthroughs and miracles. By lifting up God's name and focusing on His goodness, believers can experience His power and presence in their lives in tangible ways. [37:35]
Acts 16:25-26 - "About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose."
Reflection: What situation in your life needs a breakthrough? How can you incorporate praise into your daily routine as a means of seeking God's intervention?
Day 5: Specificity in Prayer Shows Faith and Trust
Praying with specificity is an act of faith and trust in God's ability to meet our precise needs. It reflects a belief that God is attentive to the details of our lives and is willing to respond to our individual requests according to His perfect will. [34:27]
1 Kings 18:36-37 - "At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: 'Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.'"
Reflection: What specific need or desire do you have that you can bring to God in prayer today, trusting that He hears and cares about the details of your life?
Quotes
"Jesus always has time for those who seek Him. He is never too preoccupied to listen to us; when we call to heaven, the line is never busy." [02:26] (Download)
"Perhaps this morning you need a miracle in your life. In the name of Jesus, be healed. You might say you don't know my situation, but Jesus can change any circumstance." [04:08] (Download)
"We have prayed with passion and persistence, thanking God in advance for His healing, and I can tell you that three days later, my little girl walked out of that hospital completely healed in the name of Jesus Christ." [40:34] (Download)
"If Jesus could forgive me for my sins, how much more should I be able to forgive the man who hurt my little girl? I believe that's an even greater miracle, the forgiveness of someone who has wronged us." [41:29] (Download)
"Plus que de parler à Dieu de notre situation, nous devons parler à notre situation à propos de Dieu. Jésus est à moi, Jésus a toute autorité; par conséquence, vous avez le droit de prier avec autorité." [13:01] (Download)
"Dieu peut entendre nos demandes lorsque nous prions calmement et dans notre for intérieur, presque silencieusement, oui, bien sûr, mais parfois, Dieu attend de nous entendre crier à Lui." [20:15] (Download)
"Parfois, la plus grande prière que nous pouvons prier est 'Aide-moi, Seigneur, j'ai besoin de Toi'. Seigneur, quand avons-nous prié avec passion pour nos enfants prodigues, pour qu'ils reviennent à Toi de tout leur cœur?" [22:34] (Download)
"Et même un païen, peut-être at-elle peut-être non croyants, les médecins ont dit que Stéphanie était complètement normale et qu'elle... ils ont dit que c'était un miracle de Dieu." [36:12] (Download)
"Louez le Seigneur ce matin... louez-le pour la vie, pour la santé, pour la nourriture, pour la famille, pour le travail, pour une maison, pour une église, pour la guérison dans le nom de Jésus Christ." [37:35] (Download)
"Je suis la preuve ce matin de quelqu'un de qui représentait un symbole devant la doutre qui ne sert plus le seigneur; ils peuvent revenir au seigneur mais continuer à prier pour continuer à les apporter au seigneur." [26:58] (Download)
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