Persistent Prayer: Seeking God's Kingdom Together

Devotional

Day 1: Persistent Prayer: A Lifelong Journey

Prayer is not a one-time act but a continuous, lifelong commitment. The progression from asking to seeking to knocking illustrates the need for increasing fervency and persistence in our prayer life. This persistence is not about wearing God down but about aligning our hearts with His will and timing. Jesus uses these verbs in the present tense, indicating that prayer is an ongoing, continuous action. It's not something we do once and forget; it's a lifelong commitment to communication with God. The progression from asking to seeking to knocking illustrates an intensification in our prayer life, urging us to be more fervent and persistent. [03:38]

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 of your life where you need to persist in prayer, even when it feels like nothing is changing? How can you commit to praying about this daily?

Day 2: God's Assurance: Trusting in His Goodness

Jesus assures us that our prayers are heard and answered. The promise that those who ask will receive is a powerful encouragement to pray with confidence. This assurance is not about getting everything we want but trusting that God gives us what is good and necessary for our spiritual growth. The encouragement to pray comes from the assurance that God hears us. Jesus promises that those who ask will receive, those who seek will find, and to those who knock, the door will be opened. This is not a promise of instant gratification but a call to perseverance. [06:36]

Matthew 7:9-11 (ESV): "Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!"

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt your prayers were unanswered. How can you trust that God is working for your good, even when the answer is delayed?

Day 3: Spiritual Priorities: Seeking God's Kingdom

Our prayers should reflect a desire for God's kingdom and righteousness above worldly desires. While the world may seem to prosper without prayer, the true blessings of God are spiritual and eternal. We are called to seek first the kingdom of God and trust that He will provide for our needs. The sermon challenges us to examine our prayer life. Are we praying for the same things the world desires, or are we seeking first the kingdom of God? [24:26]

Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV): "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."

Reflection: What is one worldly desire you find yourself praying for more than God's kingdom? How can you shift your focus to align with God's priorities?

Day 4: Corporate Prayer: Unity in Seeking God

The early church was devoted to prayer, and we are called to follow their example. Corporate prayer is a vital part of our spiritual life, where we unite in seeking God's presence and power. The health of a church can often be gauged by its commitment to prayer. Prayer meetings are not just a tradition but a vital part of our spiritual life, where we unite in seeking God's presence and power. [49:13]

Acts 2:42 (ESV): "And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers."

Reflection: How can you actively participate in your church's prayer gatherings? What steps can you take to encourage others to join in corporate prayer?

Day 5: Intimacy with God: The True Reward of Prayer

Prayer is not just about asking for things but about developing a deeper relationship with God. Our persistence in prayer draws us closer to Him, fostering intimacy and dependence on His presence and guidance. This relationship is the true reward of a faithful prayer life. The sermon emphasizes that prayer is a lifelong commitment to communication with God, and through this, we develop a deeper relationship with Him. [36:30]

Psalm 27:4 (ESV): "One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple."

Reflection: In what ways can you deepen your relationship with God through prayer this week? What specific time can you set aside daily to focus solely on being in His presence?

Sermon Summary

In today's reflection, we delve into the profound teachings of Jesus on prayer, focusing on the three imperatives: ask, seek, and knock. These are not mere suggestions but commands that emphasize the necessity of persistent and progressive prayer. Jesus uses these verbs in the present tense, indicating that prayer is an ongoing, continuous action. It's not something we do once and forget; it's a lifelong commitment to communication with God. The progression from asking to seeking to knocking illustrates an intensification in our prayer life, urging us to be more fervent and persistent.

The encouragement to pray comes from the assurance that God hears us. Jesus promises that those who ask will receive, those who seek will find, and to those who knock, the door will be opened. This is not a promise of instant gratification but a call to perseverance. Sometimes, the answers to our prayers require time, and God uses this time to prepare us for what we are asking. The "it" that will be given refers to good things, as God, our Father, knows how to give good gifts to His children.

Moreover, the sermon challenges us to examine our prayer life. Are we praying for the same things the world desires, or are we seeking first the kingdom of God? The world may seem to prosper without prayer, but the true blessings of God are spiritual and eternal. We are encouraged to pray for things that align with God's promises and His will, such as spiritual growth, unity, and the salvation of others.

Finally, the importance of corporate prayer is emphasized. The early church was devoted to prayer, and we are called to follow their example. Prayer meetings are not just a tradition but a vital part of our spiritual life, where we unite in seeking God's presence and power. The health of a church can often be gauged by its commitment to prayer, and we are urged to prioritize this in our lives.

Key Takeaways

1. Persistent Prayer: Prayer is not a one-time act but a continuous, lifelong commitment. The progression from asking to seeking to knocking illustrates the need for increasing fervency and persistence in our prayer life. This persistence is not about wearing God down but about aligning our hearts with His will and timing. [03:38]
2. God's Assurance: Jesus assures us that our prayers are heard and answered. The promise that those who ask will receive is a powerful encouragement to pray with confidence. This assurance is not about getting everything we want but trusting that God gives us what is good and necessary for our spiritual growth. [06:36]
3. Spiritual Priorities: Our prayers should reflect a desire for God's kingdom and righteousness above worldly desires. While the world may seem to prosper without prayer, the true blessings of God are spiritual and eternal. We are called to seek first the kingdom of God and trust that He will provide for our needs. [24:26]
4. Corporate Prayer: The early church was devoted to prayer, and we are called to follow their example. Corporate prayer is a vital part of our spiritual life, where we unite in seeking God's presence and power. The health of a church can often be gauged by its commitment to prayer. [49:13]
5. Intimacy with God: Prayer is not just about asking for things but about developing a deeper relationship with God. Our persistence in prayer draws us closer to Him, fostering intimacy and dependence on His presence and guidance. This relationship is the true reward of a faithful prayer life. [36:30]
** [36:30]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:14] - Introduction to Prayer
[00:46] - The Three Imperatives
[01:26] - The Nature of Imperatives
[02:35] - Continuous Action in Prayer
[03:38] - Progression in Prayer
[05:22] - Encouragement to Pray
[06:36] - Assurance of Answered Prayer
[08:08] - The Power of Repetition
[10:23] - Understanding "It" in Prayer
[11:54] - Perseverance in Prayer
[13:39] - Recognizing Good Things
[18:42] - Broad Promises of Prayer
[24:26] - Spiritual Priorities in Prayer
[36:30] - Intimacy with God
[49:13] - Importance of Corporate Prayer
[57:16] - Final Appeal and Dismissal

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

Matthew 7:7-11
Luke 11:9-13

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Observation Questions:

What are the three imperatives Jesus gives regarding prayer in Matthew 7:7-8, and how are they described in the sermon? [02:02]
According to the sermon, what is the significance of the present tense used in the verbs "ask," "seek," and "knock"? [02:35]
How does the sermon describe the progression from asking to seeking to knocking in our prayer life? [03:38]
What assurance does Jesus provide about prayer in Matthew 7:8, and how is this emphasized in the sermon? [06:36]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the sermon explain the relationship between persistent prayer and aligning our hearts with God's will and timing? [03:38]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that the "good things" mentioned in Matthew 7:11 are different from worldly desires? [24:26]
How does the sermon interpret the role of corporate prayer in the early church, and what implications does this have for modern church practices? [49:13]
What does the sermon suggest about the role of trials and delays in our prayer life in fostering intimacy with God? [36:30]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on your current prayer life. How often do you find yourself moving from asking to seeking to knocking? What steps can you take to intensify your prayer life this week? [03:38]
Consider a prayer request you have been bringing to God. How can you remind yourself of God's assurance that He hears and answers prayers, even if the answer is delayed? [06:36]
Identify one area in your life where you may be prioritizing worldly desires over spiritual growth. How can you shift your focus to seek first the kingdom of God in your prayers? [24:26]
Think about your participation in corporate prayer. What changes can you make to prioritize attending prayer meetings and engaging in communal prayer? [49:13]
Reflect on a recent trial or delay in your life. How can you use this experience to deepen your relationship with God and rely more on His presence and guidance? [36:30]
How can you incorporate reminders of God's character and promises into your prayer routine to strengthen your faith and persistence in prayer? [41:21]
Consider a specific need or desire you have been praying for. How can you involve others in your prayer journey to seek God's will together? [38:57]

Sermon Clips

If you then who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him. [00:11:04]

If our Lord wanted to say to you, I don't want you just to ask and seek and knock, I want you to keep doing it the rest of your life. I want you to do it and do it and do it and keep doing it. This is the way you would say it. [00:02:53]

Brethren, this matters. I ask you this: does this describe your prayer life? If we were basically just take a snapshot of the last week of your life, would Jesus say, not any of us, would he say, because he's going to be the one that you stand before in the end, and he's going to look at your life under the microscope. [00:04:35]

Brethren, there is no greater incentive to prayer than that right there. Six times in two verses, the living Lord Jesus Christ, he promises that a Christian's asking and seeking and knocking is not useless. Look at this: ask, verse 7. Ask, why should I ask? Because it'll be given to you. [00:06:29]

You know what we need? This kind of encouragement. You know why? We're prone to faint. We need to be told over and over, everyone who asks receives, the one who seeks finds, the one who knocks it will be open. We are prone to faint. [00:08:17]

I take this to mean that if one of God's children will ask their heavenly Father for something, and if the "it" they are asking for fits that description right there, if it's a good thing, we're going to get that good thing. He's, our Father is not in the business of giving us bad things. [00:10:57]

Brethren, the reality is we need to be seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. One of the things we ought to be seeking all the time: Lord, cause our church to have unity, cause our faith to grow. Lord, help us to be more humble, help us to be meek, help us to be more full of love. [00:34:50]

Brethren, you never want to get away from this. Jesus says everyone who asks receives. I mean, receive, that has to do with getting what we need to meet our needs. Prayer is a great thing for a needy people. Receiving or not receiving hang in the balance. [00:31:37]

Brethren, let me tell you something. Our heavenly Father gave us these promises, and you know what? Very often the things we plead for, He is pleased. You see, God's doing something different with His children than He's doing with the rest of the world. Oftentimes He doesn't give us things until we're ready to receive them. [00:50:40]

Brethren, this is biblical Christianity. This isn't just, you know, the apostles and Spurgeon and Lloyd Jones praying Christians. Jesus is speaking to the average Christian here. So, here's a question: how do you ascend? How do you go from just asking to seeking and knocking? [00:37:48]

Brethren, if you want to ascend, here's what you want to do. If you want to step it up, you don't just ask, you keep asking. If you want to step it up, you don't just keep asking, you ask other people to keep asking. You want to step it up, start doing this. [00:40:22]

Brethren, I hope you'll heed this. I want your good, I want the good of your families, I want the good of your children, I want the good of this church, I want the good of this city, and I know this: we need to lay hold on God, and empty prayer meetings, what these guys are saying is right. [01:00:43]

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Persistent Prayer: Seeking God's Kingdom Together

Devotional

Day 1: Persistent Prayer: A Lifelong Journey

Day 2: God's Assurance: Trusting in His Goodness

Day 3: Spiritual Priorities: Seeking God's Kingdom

Day 4: Corporate Prayer: Unity in Seeking God

Day 5: Intimacy with God: The True Reward of Prayer

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Persistent Prayer: Seeking God's Kingdom Together

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