Persistent Prayer: Trusting God Through Adversity

Summary

### Summary

Today, we gathered to magnify the name of the Lord, shaking off the dust of the week and focusing solely on lifting up Jesus. We began by acknowledging God's goodness, faithfulness, and healing power, encouraging everyone to give thanks and praise. We then delved into the story of Hannah from 1 Samuel 1, emphasizing that everyone has a job to do in God's kingdom. Hannah's deep anguish and persistent prayer despite her adversities were highlighted as a model for us. She prayed fervently for a son, promising to dedicate him to the Lord, and God answered her prayer by giving her Samuel.

The sermon underscored that just as Hannah had a job, so do we. Our job is to pray, to cast our cares upon the Lord, and to trust Him even when the enemy tries to disrupt our faith. The enemy's job is to steal, kill, and destroy, but our job is to remain steadfast in prayer and faith. We were reminded that God hears us when we pray and that our prayers have the power to bring about divine intervention. The importance of not taking God's glory for ourselves but leading others to Him was also stressed. We concluded with a call to action: to pray and fast throughout the week, believing that God will perform miracles in our lives and in our church.

### Key Takeaways

1. Persistent Prayer in Adversity: Hannah's story teaches us the power of persistent prayer even in deep anguish. Despite her sorrow and provocation from Penina, Hannah continued to pray fervently, showing us that our prayers should be relentless, especially when we are in distress. [52:50]

2. Everyone Has a Role: Just as each character in Hannah's story had a role, we too have a job in God's kingdom. Whether it's praying, encouraging others, or simply being faithful, our roles contribute to a greater purpose. Understanding and fulfilling our God-given roles can lead to divine outcomes. [49:37]

3. The Enemy's Disruption: The enemy will always try to disrupt our faith, especially when we are on the brink of a breakthrough. Eli mistook Hannah's fervent prayer for drunkenness, showing how the enemy can use misunderstandings to discourage us. We must remain focused and steadfast in our faith. [55:32]

4. God Hears Our Prayers: The story of Hannah reassures us that God hears our prayers and responds. Her prayer for a son was answered because she trusted God and laid her burdens before Him. This encourages us to bring all our concerns to God, knowing He listens and acts. [54:35]

5. Our Job is to Lead Others to God: Our ultimate job is to lead others to God, not to take His glory for ourselves. By living righteously and sharing our testimonies, we can guide others to experience God's love and power. This is our primary mission as believers. [58:48]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[30:30] - Call the Name of Jesus
[38:07] - No Other Name
[42:56] - Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 1
[44:59] - Hannah's Story
[47:31] - We've All Got a Job
[49:37] - Roles in God's Kingdom
[51:43] - The Enemy's Disruption
[52:50] - Persistent Prayer
[54:35] - God Hears Our Prayers
[55:32] - The Enemy's Job
[56:13] - Trusting God in Prayer
[58:48] - Leading Others to God
[01:00:18] - Our Job as Believers
[01:03:11] - Prayer and Thanksgiving
[01:09:47] - God's Presence in Our Lives
[01:15:17] - Offering and Announcements
[01:22:19] - Call to Prayer and Fasting
[01:24:24] - Closing Prayer and Benediction

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1 Samuel 1:1-20 (NIV)

#### Observation Questions
1. What was the source of Hannah's deep anguish and persistent prayer? ([46:15])
2. How did Penina's actions affect Hannah, and what was Penina's role in the story? ([50:45])
3. What was Eli's initial reaction to Hannah's prayer, and how did Hannah respond to his misunderstanding? ([53:45])
4. What vow did Hannah make to the Lord, and how did God respond to her prayer? ([46:15])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Hannah's persistent prayer in the face of adversity serve as a model for us in our own times of distress? ([52:50])
2. What can we learn from the different roles each character played in Hannah's story about our own roles in God's kingdom? ([49:37])
3. How does the enemy's attempt to disrupt our faith, as seen in Eli's misunderstanding of Hannah, reflect the challenges we face in our spiritual lives? ([55:32])
4. In what ways does Hannah's story reassure us that God hears our prayers and responds? ([54:35])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you faced deep anguish. How did you handle it, and how might persistent prayer have changed your experience? ([52:50])
2. Identify a specific role you believe God has given you in His kingdom. How can you better fulfill this role in your daily life? ([49:37])
3. Think of a recent situation where you felt your faith was being disrupted. How did you respond, and what can you do to remain steadfast in such moments? ([55:32])
4. Share an experience where you felt God heard and answered your prayer. How did this impact your faith and trust in Him? ([54:35])
5. How can you lead others to God through your actions and testimonies without taking His glory for yourself? ([58:48])
6. This week, commit to a specific time of prayer and fasting. What are you believing God for, and how can you encourage others in your small group to join you in this spiritual discipline? ([01:22:19])
7. Identify one person in your life who is struggling with their faith. How can you support and encourage them to trust in God's faithfulness and healing power? ([01:00:18])

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of Persistent Prayer in Adversity
Description: Hannah's story in 1 Samuel 1 is a profound example of the power of persistent prayer, especially in times of deep anguish. Despite her sorrow and the constant provocation from Penina, Hannah continued to pray fervently. Her relentless prayers, even when misunderstood by Eli, demonstrate the importance of staying committed to prayer regardless of our circumstances. This teaches us that our prayers should be unwavering, particularly when we are in distress, as God hears and responds to our heartfelt cries. [52:50]

1 Samuel 1:10-11 (ESV): "She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. And she vowed a vow and said, 'O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.'"

Reflection: Think of a current struggle or distress in your life. How can you commit to praying persistently about this issue, trusting that God hears you?

Day 2: Understanding Our Role in God's Kingdom
Description: Just as each character in Hannah's story had a specific role, we too have a job in God's kingdom. Whether it's through prayer, encouragement, or simply being faithful, our roles contribute to a greater divine purpose. Understanding and fulfilling our God-given roles can lead to significant outcomes. This calls us to reflect on our unique contributions and how we can actively participate in God's work. [49:37]

1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (ESV): "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone."

Reflection: What specific role or gift do you believe God has given you? How can you use this gift to serve others and contribute to God's kingdom this week?

Day 3: Staying Steadfast Amidst the Enemy's Disruption
Description: The enemy will always try to disrupt our faith, especially when we are on the brink of a breakthrough. In Hannah's story, Eli mistook her fervent prayer for drunkenness, illustrating how misunderstandings can be used to discourage us. Despite this, Hannah remained focused and steadfast in her faith. This teaches us the importance of staying committed to our faith and not allowing the enemy's tactics to deter us from our spiritual journey. [55:32]

Ephesians 6:11-12 (ESV): "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."

Reflection: Identify a recent situation where you felt your faith was being tested. How can you equip yourself spiritually to remain steadfast in similar future situations?

Day 4: Trusting That God Hears Our Prayers
Description: The story of Hannah reassures us that God hears our prayers and responds. Her prayer for a son was answered because she trusted God and laid her burdens before Him. This encourages us to bring all our concerns to God, knowing He listens and acts. It is a reminder that our prayers are not in vain and that divine intervention is possible when we trust in God's timing and plan. [54:35]

Psalm 34:17-18 (ESV): "When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt God answered your prayer. How does this experience encourage you to trust Him with your current concerns?

Day 5: Leading Others to God Through Our Lives
Description: Our ultimate job is to lead others to God, not to take His glory for ourselves. By living righteously and sharing our testimonies, we can guide others to experience God's love and power. This is our primary mission as believers. We are called to be examples of God's grace and to point others towards Him through our actions and words. [58:48]

Matthew 5:16 (ESV): "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who does not know God. How can you intentionally share your faith with them this week through your actions or words?

Quotes

1. "Oh, for we serve a great and a mighty God. We serve a mighty, powerful God. We serve a God that dispatches angels at the very moment that we cry out his name. And those angels fight and they war for us. They see to it that we're protected. And we decree today that there is no other name. There is no other name like yours. There is no other name. There is no other name. There's no other name." [38:07] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "And so, on today, oh God, as we step into your word. Father, we thank you now for speaking to us. Cause ears to hear, cause eyes to see, cause our souls to be set ablaze. Father, we thank you on today that, God, you sent your word to heal and to deliver us. And God, on today, we believe that you're going to do just that. Now, Father, because you are God and because you are here, Father, we acknowledge you. We acknowledge you as the one that does all things well." [42:56] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "And so, when we think about jobs, we typically think about jobs that are not for us. We think about our jobs and the work that we are to do, the work that our hands are to do, the work that our mouths are to do, the work that we, God's people, his creation are to do. We think about our nine to five. We think about, oh, if I'm a housewife and I'm a stay-at-home mother, my job is to stay home, to be a mother to my children, to make sure that they have breakfast and lunch and that the house is clean." [48:45] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Hannah then pushes past her weeping. Hannah then pushes past her sadness, Hannah then pushes past her depression, Hannah then pushes past all of the things that she had been struggling with all her life, and what does Hannah do? Hannah gets on her face and Hannah prays. And this is what I need to hear you, need you to hear me saying on today. The word of the Lord says in 1 Samuel chapter 1 and verse number 10, in her deep anguish, Hannah prayed to the Lord weeping bitterly. If you have to cry, cry on your knees in prayer." [52:50] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "And this is what she did. that caused Hannah to become pregnant. It was Hannah making the decision that she was going to get on her feet, she was going to get on her knees, and she was going to pray. And one would think that because she prayed that it would just be done, it would be over with. But because the evil one has a job, his job is even when you do your job, because the word of the Lord says man ought to always pray. And so that's our job, that we ought to cast our cares before the Lord. That's our job." [53:45] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "If we just cry the name of Jesus, that alone is prayer. That alone gets answers. If we just cry the name of Jesus, demons tremble and they begin to flee. If we just cry the name of Jesus, that means the Lord shows up. And now he comes to see about your trouble, Donald. And so now Hannah now realizes that now she's got an audience. She's talking to the Lord, but she's got an audience. Now I'm not trying to. I'm not trying to say that Eli is the devil. But what I am trying to say is that the enemy is going to always try." [54:35] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "The enemy's job, because he's only got one. He's only got one job. His job is to try to try you. His job is to see just how much you really love your Jesus. His job is to see how much you trust that God is with you and for you. And if he be for you, then he's more than the whole entire world against you. Just how much you believe that God fights for me. He wars for me. God shows up for me. And God. He hears my cry." [56:13] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "Our job is not to worry. Our job is to repent. Our job is not to be sad. Our job is to rejoice. Our job is not to be like them, but our job is to be righteous. But our job is to be the one that leads them right to God. Our job is not to take his glory. Our job is not to take his praise. Our job is not to take his honor, but our job Our job is not to be perfect, but our job is to lead others to the one who is perfect." [01:00:18] (62 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "And so, God, we thank you today. We thank you for long life. We thank you, God, for sparing us. Come on, I need you to declare that with me today. God, I thank you for long life. Thank you for sparing me. Come on, y'all are not talking. I need you to open up your mouth and begin to declare. God, thank you for long life. Thank you for sparing me." [01:08:42] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "And so just like Hannah, we got a job, got a job. Our job is not to worry. Our job is to repent. Our job is not to be sad. Our job is to rejoice. Our job is not to be like them, but our job is to be righteous. But our job is to be the one that leads them right to God. Our job is not to take his glory. Our job is not to take his praise. Our job is not to take his honor, but our job Our job is not to be perfect, but our job is to lead others to the one who is perfect." [01:00:18] (69 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?