Persistent Prayer: Knocking for God's Abundance
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound concept of persistence in prayer, as illustrated in Luke 11. The narrative begins with a familiar knock-knock joke, which serves as a metaphor for the call and response dynamic in our relationship with God. The central question posed is, "What do you do when you call on God, and it seems like He's not responding?" This question leads us to the parable of the persistent friend, who knocks at midnight seeking bread. This story is not just about prayer but about the nature of our relationship with God and the persistence required to see His promises fulfilled in our lives.
The essence of the message is to "keep on knocking," regardless of the circumstances. Whether it's midnight or you lack resources, persistence is key. Jesus teaches us to approach God as "Father," which was revolutionary for His disciples, emphasizing the intimacy and access we have to God. This relationship changes the nature of our prayers, as we are not just asking for ourselves but for the kingdom's sake. The act of knocking is symbolic of marking our territory with faith, claiming what God has promised us.
The message also challenges us to hunger for more than just our needs. It encourages us to ask for enough to bless others, reflecting God's kingdom on earth. The story of the friend asking for three loaves of bread signifies asking for abundance, not just for personal gain but to feed the block, to be a blessing to others. This hunger should drive us to keep knocking, as God uses resistance to strengthen our faith and teach us ownership, not just outcomes.
Ultimately, the act of knocking is about cultivating a deeper relationship with God, beyond just seeking answers. It's about learning to think like an owner, trusting in God's provision, and understanding that our persistence in prayer is not in vain. God desires to give us more than we can imagine, but it requires us to keep knocking, to keep seeking, and to keep asking.
Key Takeaways:
- Persistence in Prayer: The act of knocking symbolizes persistence in prayer. It's about continually seeking God's presence and promises, even when it seems like He's not responding. This persistence is not just about getting answers but about deepening our relationship with God and understanding His will for our lives. [01:51]
- Understanding God as Father: Jesus teaches us to approach God as "Father," which transforms our prayer life. This relationship gives us access to God and changes the nature of our requests. Knowing God as Father means we can ask boldly, knowing we are co-heirs with Christ. [06:15]
- Hunger for More: Our prayers should reflect a hunger for more than just personal needs. We are called to ask for abundance, not just for ourselves but to bless others. This reflects God's kingdom on earth and shows the world His power through our lives. [13:32]
- Ownership vs. Outcomes: God is teaching us to focus on ownership, not just outcomes. Persistence in prayer is about taking ownership of God's promises, even when we don't see immediate results. It's about trusting in God's provision and timing. [29:00]
- Strengthening Faith through Resistance: God uses resistance to strengthen our faith. The challenges we face in prayer are opportunities for growth, teaching us to rely on God's strength rather than our own. This process builds the spiritual muscles needed for greater moves in our lives. [24:44]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:51] - The Knock-Knock Metaphor
- [02:30] - The Midnight Request
- [04:07] - Keep on Knocking
- [06:15] - Understanding God as Father
- [07:50] - Marking Your Territory
- [09:26] - Faith Beyond Outcomes
- [13:32] - Hunger for More
- [16:06] - Bread as Sustenance
- [17:03] - Feeding Others from Your Hunger
- [18:15] - Patience and Faith
- [21:10] - Resistance Strengthens Faith
- [22:25] - The Line Between Your Power and God's
- [24:44] - Core Muscles of Faith
- [29:00] - Ownership vs. Outcomes
- [31:09] - Remembering Past Victories
- [32:36] - Thinking Like an Owner
- [33:56] - The Purpose of Knocking
- [37:39] - Gifts Behind the Door
- [40:37] - Invitation to the Altar
- [45:21] - Closing Prayer and Encouragement
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Luke 11:5-10
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Observation Questions:
1. In the parable from Luke 11, what is the significance of the friend knocking at midnight? How does this relate to the concept of persistence in prayer? [02:30]
2. How does Jesus' instruction to address God as "Father" change the nature of prayer for His disciples? [06:15]
3. What does the act of knocking symbolize in the context of the sermon, and how is it different from simply asking? [07:50]
4. Why does the friend in the parable ask for three loaves of bread, and what does this signify about the nature of our requests to God? [13:32]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does understanding God as "Father" influence the way believers approach prayer and their expectations from it? [06:15]
2. The sermon suggests that God uses resistance to strengthen faith. How might this concept change a believer's perspective on unanswered prayers or challenges in life? [21:10]
3. What does it mean to "think like an owner" in the context of faith, and how does this mindset affect one's spiritual journey? [29:00]
4. How does the sermon challenge the idea of praying only for personal needs, and what implications does this have for how believers view their role in God's kingdom? [13:32]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt like God was not responding to your prayers. How did you handle it, and what might you do differently after hearing this sermon? [01:51]
2. In what ways can you cultivate a deeper relationship with God beyond just seeking answers to your prayers? Consider practical steps you can take this week. [33:56]
3. Identify an area in your life where you need to "keep on knocking." What specific actions can you take to demonstrate persistence in this area? [04:07]
4. How can you shift your prayer focus from personal needs to asking for abundance that blesses others? What specific needs in your community or church can you pray for this week? [13:32]
5. Think of a situation where you faced resistance or challenges. How can you view this resistance as an opportunity to strengthen your faith? [21:10]
6. What does it mean for you to take ownership of God's promises in your life? How can you apply this concept to a current situation you are facing? [29:00]
7. Consider a person or group in your life that you can bless through your prayers and actions. How can you intentionally pray for and support them this week? [17:03]
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Persistent Prayer
Persistence in prayer is a profound spiritual discipline that goes beyond merely seeking answers. It is about continually seeking God's presence and promises, even when it seems like He is not responding. This persistence is not just about getting what we want but about deepening our relationship with God and understanding His will for our lives. The act of knocking symbolizes this persistence, encouraging believers to keep seeking, asking, and knocking, trusting that God hears and will respond in His perfect timing. [01:51]
Luke 18:1-5 (ESV): "And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, 'In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, "Give me justice against my adversary." For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, "Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming."'"
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you feel God is silent? How can you commit to persistently praying about this, trusting in His timing and wisdom?
Day 2: Embracing God as Father
Understanding God as Father transforms our prayer life. Jesus taught His disciples to approach God with the intimacy and confidence of a child speaking to a loving parent. This relationship gives us access to God and changes the nature of our requests. Knowing God as Father means we can ask boldly, knowing we are co-heirs with Christ. This understanding encourages us to approach God with confidence, knowing that He desires to give us good gifts and fulfill His promises in our lives. [06:15]
Galatians 4:6-7 (ESV): "And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba! Father!' So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God."
Reflection: How does viewing God as your Father change the way you pray? What bold request can you bring to Him today, trusting in His love and provision?
Day 3: Praying with a Hunger for More
Our prayers should reflect a hunger for more than just personal needs. We are called to ask for abundance, not just for ourselves but to bless others. This reflects God's kingdom on earth and shows the world His power through our lives. The story of the friend asking for three loaves of bread signifies asking for abundance, not just for personal gain but to be a blessing to others. This hunger should drive us to keep knocking, as God uses resistance to strengthen our faith and teach us ownership, not just outcomes. [13:32]
2 Corinthians 9:8 (ESV): "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."
Reflection: In what ways can you ask God for more, not just for yourself but to be a blessing to others? How can you align your prayers with His kingdom purposes today?
Day 4: Ownership vs. Outcomes
God is teaching us to focus on ownership, not just outcomes. Persistence in prayer is about taking ownership of God's promises, even when we don't see immediate results. It's about trusting in God's provision and timing, understanding that our role is to be faithful stewards of what He has entrusted to us. This perspective shifts our focus from merely seeking results to embracing the journey of faith and growth that God has for us. [29:00]
Hebrews 10:36 (ESV): "For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised."
Reflection: What promise from God do you need to take ownership of today? How can you shift your focus from seeking immediate outcomes to trusting in His timing and provision?
Day 5: Strengthening Faith through Resistance
God uses resistance to strengthen our faith. The challenges we face in prayer are opportunities for growth, teaching us to rely on God's strength rather than our own. This process builds the spiritual muscles needed for greater moves in our lives. By embracing resistance, we learn to trust in God's power and develop a deeper, more resilient faith that can withstand the trials and challenges of life. [24:44]
James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Reflection: What current challenge in your life is God using to strengthen your faith? How can you embrace this resistance as an opportunity for growth and deeper reliance on Him?
Quotes
"We are so content with crumbs. And God says, I want to give you loaves. And the problem is you only hunger for stuff that benefits you." [17:03:53] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Knocking is the answer to all prayers. Can I give y 'all three reasons to keep on knocking and I'm gonna get out your way. I need you to keep on knocking. Knocking because God is." [20:56:59] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"God says, I need you to understand that the very nature of knocking is beyond the nature of just asking. You don't have because you've been asking, but God says, I need you to knock." [08:53:33] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Keep on knocking when he feels like you're ashamed, you're embarrassed. Keep on knocking no matter how stupid you look. Keep on knocking when they talk about you. Keep on knocking because God says if you keep on knocking, I'm going to open the door. Keep on knocking." [04:44:40] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Jesus uses a story, a parable, which is an earthly story designed to teach you a kingdom truth. Truth, and when he asked his disciples, his disciples really were the cause of this story because they came to him and they says, teach me how to pray." [05:04:26] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"God sometimes takes you through things. Because the prayer is not about answers. The prayer is about teaching kingdom kids how to think like owners." [32:39:56] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"God's using resistance to strengthen your faith. Keep knocking. God is trying to help you think like an owner, not like. Outcomes. Keep knocking because it is the answer to all your prayers." [40:14:37] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Some of y 'all have not possessed what God has because you've been knocking, but have not taken ownership. In other words, the first time you get your little attitude, because you ain't like how they spoke to you, you walk off, and Satan is here to gentrify your blessing." [30:15:99] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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