Persistent Prayer: Aligning with God's Will

Devotional

Day 1: Faith in Persistent Prayer

Persistent prayer is not a mere repetition of requests but a profound expression of faith. It is the act of coming before God with consistency, not because He forgets our needs, but because it is in the continual seeking that one's faith is both demonstrated and deepened. Persistent prayer is an acknowledgment of dependence on God, recognizing that the outcomes are in His hands, and it is a practice that molds the heart to be more attuned to His will. It is in the persistence that believers find not only the answers they seek but also the strength to accept whatever answer comes, knowing it is given with divine wisdom.

In the Bible, the story of Hannah is a powerful example of persistent prayer. Despite years of barrenness and the accompanying sorrow, Hannah did not cease to pour out her soul before the Lord. Her faith was not passive; it was active and fervent, and it was rewarded not just with the birth of Samuel but with a deeper relationship with God.

[01:04:54]

Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you have been praying persistently. How has this persistence in prayer shaped your relationship with God, regardless of the outcome?

Day 2: Communion Beyond Communication

True communion with God transcends simple speech and enters into a realm of deep understanding and awareness of His presence. It is in the quiet moments of listening that one often hears the gentle whisper of the Spirit, guiding and comforting. This communion is a two-way relationship where the soul learns to be still and know that He is God. It is not about the quantity of words spoken but the quality of the heart's posture, open and receptive to divine influence. In this sacred exchange, the desires of the heart are refined, and the believer's will becomes increasingly aligned with God's.

The story of Elijah on Mount Horeb illustrates the profound nature of communion with God. After a powerful display of God's might on Mount Carmel, Elijah encountered God not in the wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a low whisper. This encounter reminds believers that God often speaks in the stillness, beyond the clamor of everyday life.

[51:19]

Reflection: When was the last time you experienced a sense of true communion with God, and how can you cultivate a lifestyle that fosters this deeper connection?

Day 3: Prayer as the Day's Foundation

Beginning the day with prayer is akin to setting the foundation for a building; it determines the strength and direction of everything that follows. When one dedicates their plans to God in the morning, it is an act of surrender and an invitation for divine intervention. This practice does not guarantee a day free of trouble, but it does promise the guidance and peace of God amidst daily challenges. It is a conscious choice to prioritize the spiritual over the temporal and to acknowledge God's sovereignty over every aspect of life.

Consider the words of David in Psalm 5:3, "O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch." David's example shows the importance of seeking God at the start of the day, setting a watchful and expectant tone for all that is to come.

[01:15:44]

Reflection: How can you make morning prayer a non-negotiable part of your daily routine, and what difference do you expect it to make in your day-to-day life?

Day 4: The Comfort and Power of Scripture

The Word of God is a source of immeasurable comfort and strength, offering peace in the midst of turmoil and guidance in times of uncertainty. Scriptures like Psalm 23 serve as a reminder of God's constant presence and his unwavering care for His people. The power of God's Word lies not in its poetic resonance but in its truth and the promise that God is with His people, even in the darkest valleys. Engaging with Scripture is not a passive activity; it is an active pursuit of God's heart, a way to anchor the soul in the promises of God that have stood the test of time.

The words of Isaiah 40:8, "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever," emphasize the enduring nature of God's Word and its ability to provide stability and hope in an ever-changing world.

[56:09]

Reflection: What Scripture has brought you comfort recently, and how can you use it to encourage someone else who may be facing a difficult time?

Day 5: Expanding Our View of God

Understanding God should never be confined to the limits of human experience or perception. He is infinitely greater and more holy than the best of human understanding. As believers grow in their knowledge of God, it is crucial to allow their image of Him to be shaped by His self-revelation through Scripture, the life of Jesus, and the testimony of the Holy Spirit. This journey of discovery is one of humility and wonder, as one learns to embrace the mystery of God's nature and to trust in His character, even when it surpasses human comprehension.

Job's encounter with God, where he is reminded of the vastness of God's creation and wisdom, as seen in Job 38:4-7, serves as a powerful reminder that God's ways and thoughts are higher than human ways and thoughts.

[01:07:09]

Reflection: How can you challenge your current understanding of God to grow deeper, and what steps can you take to ensure your view of Him is being shaped by His revelation rather than your own experiences?

Sermon Summary

In our journey of faith, we often find ourselves at a crossroads, seeking direction and clarity. Prayer is our compass, our means of communication with the Divine, and it is through prayer that we align ourselves with God's will. This week, as we conclude our 21 days of prayer and fasting, I urge you to press in, to remain steadfast in your commitment to seeking God's presence and guidance in your life.

Throughout this period of fasting, I have been fervently praying for our church and specific financial goals. I have laid before God two five-figure miracles and a larger seven-figure financial miracle that I am trusting Him to provide if it aligns with His will. This act of faith is not about presenting God with a wishlist but about engaging in bold, persistent prayer that acknowledges His sovereignty and power to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine.

Jesus taught us the importance of persistent prayer through the parable of the persistent widow. The unjust judge, who neither feared God nor cared for people, eventually granted the widow justice because of her relentless petitions. How much more, then, will our just and loving God respond to His children who cry out to Him day and night? This parable is not just a lesson in persistence but a call to unwavering faith.

Prayer is not merely a monologue but a dialogue with God. It is not limited by our eloquence or the quantity of our words but is enriched by our willingness to listen and to be in communion with Him. As we engage in prayer, we must remember that it is not about manipulating God into action but about entering into a relationship with Him, where our desires become aligned with His heart.

As we approach the end of our fasting, I look forward to celebrating with you, not just the breaking of the fast but the spiritual renewal and the testimonies that have emerged from this time of dedicated prayer. I encourage you to share your stories and prayer requests, for they are a testament to God's faithfulness and a source of encouragement to our community.

Key Takeaways

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Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 (NIV) — - "Be joyful always; pray continually."

2. Luke 18:1-8 (NLT)
- The Parable of the Persistent Widow

3. Romans 8:26 (NIV)
- "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans."

Observation Questions

What does 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 instruct believers to do continually? How does this align with the sermon’s emphasis on persistent prayer? [45:48]
In the parable of the persistent widow (Luke 18:1-8), what was the widow seeking from the unjust judge, and how did her persistence pay off? [01:04:12]
According to Romans 8:26, how does the Spirit assist us in our prayers, especially when we do not know what to say? [47:53]
How did Pastor Tom describe the relationship between prayer and communion with God? [49:37]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Paul emphasizes the need to "pray continually" in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17? How might this practice impact a believer's daily life? [45:48]
What lesson does Jesus want us to learn from the parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18:1-8? How does this parable encourage us to approach God with our requests? [01:04:12]
How does the concept of the Spirit interceding for us in Romans 8:26 provide comfort and assurance in our prayer life? [47:53]
Pastor Tom mentioned that prayer is not just about communication but about communion with God. How does this deeper understanding of prayer change the way we approach our relationship with God? [49:37]

Application Questions

Reflect on your current prayer habits. Do you find it challenging to "pray continually" as instructed in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17? What steps can you take to integrate more prayer into your daily routine? [45:48]
Think about a time when you were persistent in prayer like the widow in Luke 18:1-8. What was the outcome, and how did it affect your faith? How can you apply this persistence to a current prayer request? [01:04:12]
Romans 8:26 speaks of the Spirit interceding for us. Have you ever experienced a moment when you didn’t know what to pray for, and felt the Spirit’s guidance? How can you become more attuned to the Spirit’s intercession in your life? [47:53]
Pastor Tom emphasized the importance of starting your day with prayer. How can you make this a consistent practice? What specific prayer or routine can you implement to dedicate your day to God? [01:15:44]
The sermon highlighted the importance of sharing our prayer requests and testimonies. How can you create opportunities within your small group or community to share and support each other’s prayer needs? [01:24:47]
Pastor Tom mentioned praying for big, bold requests. What is one significant prayer request you have been hesitant to bring before God? How can you start praying for it persistently and boldly? [01:25:23]
Reflect on the idea of communion with God as described in the sermon. How can you cultivate a deeper sense of God’s presence in your daily life beyond just verbal prayer? What practices or habits can help you achieve this? [49:37]

Sermon Clips

1) "Prayer is not always about what you say; sometimes prayer is talking to God. [...] He actually really does want to hear from you." [47:53 ] (Download)

2) "Sometimes prayer is communication, but what prayer can always be, and what I believe that God's goal for us today is, is communion." [49:37 ] (Download)

3) "Communion is awareness when you're in the word and the word being the holy word of God and in his scripture and in his Bible, and you're actually reading it." [55:29 ] (Download)

4) "If he's going to make the natural supernatural, don't you want to be aware of it too? [...] You will be amazed if you pray that way at the beginning of the day how much natural stuff you will see with your spiritual eyes as really supernatural." [01:16:57 ] (Download)

5) "When God is just the imaginary perfect version of you, he is small. [...] He's so holy and wonderful and powerful that no lie can stand true before him." [01:07:09 ] (Download)

6) "You cannot over pray or over request. [...] God is not some genie that you're trying to rub on the side of the lamp in order to get to the right thing." [01:02:29 ] (Download)

7) "Prayer is about you being in communion with him, and when you are in his ways, you are in his will, and you want to be completely locked in with him." [01:00:55 ] (Download)

8) "Start your day in prayer the way that you hope to end it. [...] Before feet touch the ground, you start with this prayer: 'Lord, today I present this body to you, a living sacrifice.'" [01:15:44 ] (Download)

9) "The real problem that I have, if prayer is just always just talking and talking, then prayer is going to be limited by the creativity of the dialogue that you can create." [58:40 ] (Download)

10) "The greatest blessing that you can have in your life is not necessarily one of ease but it is one of purpose. It can mean something." [59:15 ] (Download)

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