Persistent Prayer: Faithful Waiting for God's Breakthrough

 

Summary

Tim Blevins delivers a message focused on the importance of persistence in prayer, emphasizing the need to continue praying and fasting without giving up, even when answers seem delayed. He encourages the congregation to reset their persistence in prayer, drawing from personal experiences and biblical narratives to illustrate the power of steadfast faith.

Blevins begins by acknowledging the church's current fasting period, highlighting the collective desire to draw closer to God. He references a previous message by Gina, a pastor in the church, and prays for the congregation's faith to be strengthened. He then transitions into discussing the concept of persistence, particularly in the context of prayer, and the importance of not giving up on the things that have been sought after for extended periods.

He speaks prophetically over the congregation, citing Habakkuk 2:3, which speaks of a vision being for an appointed time and the assurance that it will surely come to pass. Blevins encourages those who have been waiting for a breakthrough to continue waiting faithfully, assuring them that when it arrives, it will be at the perfect time and exceed expectations.

The message also touches on the significance of the Sanctity of Life Day, with prayers offered for the Lifeline Pregnancy Center and the belief in the value of life from conception to natural death. Blevins then introduces Bailey Holmes, the creative director, who shares announcements and welcomes first-time visitors.

Blevins returns to the theme of persistence in prayer, acknowledging the spiritual warfare that believers engage in when they pray. He asserts that the enemy fears prayer because it strengthens faith and prompts God to move powerfully. He recounts the story of Daniel from the Old Testament, who fasted and prayed for 21 days before receiving an answer from God, revealing the spiritual battle that occurs during such times of intercession.

The message further explores the challenges that come with fasting, such as temptations and doubts, and the importance of faithfulness to God's word. Blevins emphasizes that prayer is hard work, requiring time, concentration, and perseverance. He encourages the congregation to persist in prayer with a dogged determination, not setting a deadline but trusting in God's timing.

Blevins shares a personal story of the church's journey to acquiring a building, highlighting the years of persistent prayer that preceded the breakthrough. He reflects on the sweetness of answered prayer and the faith-building experience of standing in the fulfillment of those prayers.

The message concludes with an invitation for those who have never made a decision to follow Jesus to do so, leading the congregation in a prayer of commitment. Blevins then transitions to the celebration of baptisms, which serve as a public declaration of faith and a symbol of new life in Christ.

Key Takeaways:

- Persistence in prayer is not about changing God's will but aligning ourselves with it and developing character that prepares us for the future. This process of persistent prayer shapes us and readies us for the blessings and responsibilities that come with answered prayers. [01:01:20]

- The story of Daniel's 21-day fast and prayer teaches us about the spiritual battles that take place when we commit to seeking God. It reminds us that our prayers are heard from the first day, but there may be unseen spiritual resistance that requires us to remain steadfast in faith. [01:09:15]

- Fasting serves as a training ground for spiritual persistence, teaching us to say no to our flesh and yes to God repeatedly. This discipline strengthens our resolve to persevere in prayer and other areas of our spiritual walk. [49:15]

- The parable of the persistent widow and the unjust judge in Luke 18 encourages us to continue praying and not lose heart. It illustrates that if even an ungodly judge can grant a request due to persistence, how much more will a loving and just God respond to His children who cry out to Him. [58:26]

- Baptism is a powerful act of obedience and public declaration of new life in Christ. It symbolizes the believer's death to the old life and resurrection to a new life, and it is a cause for celebration within the community of faith. [01:14:54]

Study Guide

### Bible Reading
1. Habakkuk 2:3 (NIV): "For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay."
2. Luke 18:1-8 (NIV): The Parable of the Persistent Widow.
3. Daniel 10:12-14 (NIV): Daniel's 21-day fast and the spiritual battle.

### Observation Questions
1. What does Habakkuk 2:3 say about the timing of God's vision and promises?
2. In the Parable of the Persistent Widow (Luke 18:1-8), what was the widow's approach to seeking justice, and how did the judge eventually respond?
3. According to Daniel 10:12-14, what was the reason for the delay in the angel's response to Daniel's prayer?

### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of an "appointed time" in Habakkuk 2:3 help us understand the importance of waiting on God's timing? [42:31]
2. What can we learn from the widow's persistence in Luke 18:1-8 about our own prayer lives? How does this parable encourage us to keep praying even when we don't see immediate results? [57:02]
3. In Daniel 10:12-14, the angel mentions a spiritual battle that delayed his arrival. How does this passage shed light on the unseen spiritual warfare that can affect our prayers? [01:09:15]

### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt like giving up on a prayer. How can Habakkuk 2:3 encourage you to remain steadfast in your faith and trust in God's timing? [42:31]
2. The widow in Luke 18:1-8 did not lose heart despite the judge's initial reluctance. Is there a specific situation in your life where you need to adopt a similar attitude of persistence? How can you practically apply this lesson to your current prayer life? [57:02]
3. Daniel's experience in Daniel 10:12-14 reveals that our prayers can be delayed due to spiritual battles. How can this understanding change the way you approach persistent prayer, especially during times of delay? [01:09:15]
4. Pastor Tim shared a personal story about the church's journey to acquiring a building, which involved years of persistent prayer. How does this story inspire you to remain faithful in your own long-term prayers? [01:02:38]
5. Fasting was highlighted as a training ground for spiritual persistence. Have you ever fasted before? If so, how did it impact your prayer life? If not, would you consider incorporating fasting into your spiritual practice? Why or why not? [49:15]
6. Pastor Tim mentioned the importance of not setting a deadline for our prayers but trusting in God's timing. How can you cultivate a mindset of trust and patience in your prayer life, especially when facing delays? [54:58]
7. The sermon concluded with an invitation to follow Jesus and a celebration of baptisms. How does the act of baptism symbolize persistence and new life in Christ? How can you support others in their journey of faith and persistence in prayer? [01:14:54]

Devotional

Day 1: Aligning with Divine Timing
Persistence in prayer is a journey of aligning one's heart with God's will, not a means to expedite personal desires. It's a transformative process that molds character and prepares individuals for the blessings and responsibilities that come with answered prayers. This alignment is crucial for spiritual growth and readiness to receive God's promises. [01:01:20]

James 5:7-8 - "Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near."
Reflection: How can you practice patience and trust in God's timing for a current situation in your life?

Day 2: Unseen Spiritual Battles
The spiritual realm is active and often unseen, with battles that can affect the timing and outcome of our prayers. Understanding this can encourage believers to remain steadfast in prayer, trusting that their petitions are heard and that perseverance is necessary in the face of spiritual resistance. [01:09:15]

Ephesians 6:12 - "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
Reflection: Are there prayers you've been tempted to give up on, and how might recognizing spiritual battles influence your persistence?

Day 3: Discipline of Fasting
Fasting is a spiritual discipline that refines one's ability to say no to the flesh and yes to God. It is a practice that strengthens spiritual resolve and teaches perseverance in prayer and other aspects of the Christian walk. [49:15]

Isaiah 58:6 - "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?"
Reflection: What are some areas in your life where fasting could help you grow in spiritual discipline and focus?

Day 4: The Power of Persistent Prayer
The parable of the persistent widow demonstrates the effectiveness of continual prayer. It encourages believers to approach God with their requests without losing heart, trusting in His nature to respond to His children. [58:26]

Luke 11:9-10 - "So I say to you: 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."
Reflection: What persistent prayer can you bring before God today, trusting that He hears and will respond in His perfect timing?

Day 5: Symbolism and Celebration of Baptism
Baptism is a significant step of obedience, symbolizing the believer's death to the old life and resurrection to a new life in Christ. It is a public declaration and a cause for celebration within the faith community. [01:14:54]

Romans 6:4 - "We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life."
Reflection: If you have been baptized, reflect on the significance of that moment. If not, what might be holding you back from this step of faith?

Quotes

1) "Prayer is hard work. It takes time, concentration, and saying no to other things so that you can give this time to God. It's this persistent work of coming before God on a consistent and regular basis." [54:16] (Download)

2) "There's a place of spiritual tenacity. It's resolute in your conviction to pray until God moves, and you just say, 'I'm just going to pray and not put a 21-day deadline, but a time of God, I'm with you until.'" [54:58] (Download)

3) "Persistence in prayer is not to change God but to change something in Us in the process. Persistence is something that develops the character in us and prepares us for the future." [01:01:20] (Download)

4) "The enemy hates it when you pray. He doesn't want your faith to grow, he doesn't want God to move powerfully in your life, he doesn't want us giving God the glory." [01:05:59] (Download)

5) "God always answers prayers. The angel said, 'Now I've come,' and that's my word for you today. Now I don't know if your 'now' is today, but he has a 'now' for you if you'll pray and be persistent." [01:10:40] (Download)

6) "Fasting is this practical, tangible thing that teaches us persistence. It's the temptations that challenge us, that train us to stay faithful to God. It's the natural thing at times that train our spiritual life." [48:33] (Download)

7) "God is working and he is moving. There's a special atmosphere here, and God is moving in our life. And all I want to do is lift my hands to him and say, 'God, I give you all the glory.'" [01:04:38] (Download)

8) "When we are persisting through this fast, we are learning how to persevere and how to stay on course and how to say yes to God even when it's difficult." [49:15] (Download)

9) "The story is to illustrate how much better it is for you and I when we pray to our God. God loves to answer prayers. He is on your side. When you pray, God is not selfish; he is a generous God." [59:58] (Download)

10) "In those difficult times, we were persistent, and as a church, we didn't give up. And now, as we stand in God's blessings, all I want to do is lift my hands to him and say, 'God, I give you all the glory.'" [01:03:59] (Download)

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Transcript
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Were there any personal stories shared?