Persistent Prayer: Trusting God's Will and Power
Summary
Prayer is not a last resort or a weak response to life’s challenges—it is the very means by which we open the door to God’s will and power in our lives. In Luke 18, Jesus tells the story of a persistent widow and an unjust judge to teach that we should always pray and never give up, even when circumstances seem hopeless. The widow’s relentless pursuit of justice, despite the judge’s indifference, is contrasted with the loving, attentive nature of God. Unlike the judge, God cares deeply for His children and is always ready to listen and respond.
Trials and adversity are inevitable, but they are not a sign that God has abandoned us. Instead, they are opportunities to lean into prayer, trusting that God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness. Our prayers are not about getting our own way, but about aligning our hearts with God’s will. Sometimes, what we desire is not what is best for us, and God, like a wise parent, gives us what we truly need rather than what we think we want. When our will and God’s will run together, we become unstoppable in faith and purpose.
We are not alone in our prayers. The widow in the parable was isolated, but as believers, we are part of a family—the body of Christ. There is power in praying together, and Jesus promises to be present when even two or three gather in His name. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us, especially when we don’t know what to pray, and Jesus Himself is at the right hand of the Father, praying for us. This means we are never abandoned or unheard.
Our relationship with God is not that of a stranger to a judge, but of beloved children to a loving Father. God delights in giving good gifts to His children, especially the gift of the Holy Spirit. He knows us, cares for us, and invites us to come boldly to Him with our needs and desires.
Finally, faith is the foundation that sustains us in prayer. The enemy wants to wear us down and tempt us to give up, but Jesus calls us to persevere. Our Father in heaven never gives up on us, and we are called to stand firm, supporting one another in prayer and faith until the end.
Key Takeaways
- Persistent prayer is an act of faith, not desperation. When we continue to pray in the face of adversity, we declare our trust in God’s character and His promises, refusing to let circumstances dictate our hope. This persistence shapes our hearts and keeps us connected to the source of true strength. [36:34]
- God’s will is always for our ultimate good, even when it doesn’t align with our immediate desires. Like a loving parent who knows what is best for their child, God sometimes withholds what we want to give us what we truly need, guiding us toward eternity with Him rather than temporary happiness. [43:29]
- We are never alone in prayer; the body of Christ and the Holy Spirit stand with us. The church is a family designed to support, encourage, and intercede for one another, and the Spirit prays for us when words fail, ensuring that our prayers are always heard and aligned with God’s will. [50:12]
- Our identity as God’s children transforms the way we approach Him. Unlike the widow who was a stranger to the judge, we come to a Father who knows us intimately, loves us deeply, and delights in giving us good gifts, especially the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. [56:35]
- Faith is sustained by remembering God’s faithfulness and refusing to give up, even when tempted by discouragement or delay. The enemy seeks to wear us down, but God calls us to stand firm, trusting that He never gives up on us and will see us through every trial. [57:58]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[36:34] - The Parable of the Persistent Widow
[39:05] - Don’t Lose Heart in Trials
[39:53] - Praying to the God of the Universe
[40:39] - God’s Will vs. Our Will
[41:30] - Assurance of Eternal Life
[42:24] - Confidence in Prayer
[43:29] - God Knows What’s Best
[44:47] - Aligning Our Will with God’s
[45:32] - God Is Not Like the Unjust Judge
[48:12] - The Importance of Christian Community
[50:12] - The Power of Praying Together
[51:42] - The Holy Spirit Intercedes for Us
[54:14] - Jesus Prays for Us
[56:35] - We Are God’s Children
[57:19] - The Health of Our Faith
[57:58] - Don’t Give Up on God
[01:02:43] - Praying for One Another
[01:03:26] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Persistent Prayer and the Heart of God
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### Bible Reading
Luke 18:1-8 (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.’” And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
1 John 5:13-15 (ESV)
> I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life. And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.
Romans 8:26-27 (ESV)
> Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
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### Observation Questions
1. In the parable Jesus tells in Luke 18, what are the main differences between the unjust judge and God? ([45:32])
2. According to 1 John 5:14, what is the condition for God hearing our prayers? ([42:24])
3. What does Romans 8:26-27 say about the Holy Spirit’s role in our prayers? ([51:42])
4. In the sermon, what was the widow asking for, and how does that relate to what God wants us to pray for? ([46:27])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus chose a widow and an unjust judge to illustrate the importance of persistent prayer? What does this teach us about God’s character compared to human authority? ([45:32])
2. The sermon says that trials and adversity are not a sign that God has abandoned us, but an opportunity to lean into prayer. How does this perspective change the way someone might approach difficult times? ([39:05])
3. The pastor mentioned that sometimes God gives us what we need, not what we want, just like a wise parent. How can believers discern the difference between their own desires and God’s will in prayer? ([43:29])
4. The sermon highlights that we are not alone in prayer, but part of a family and supported by the Holy Spirit and Jesus Himself. How might this truth affect the way someone prays or seeks support from others? ([50:12])
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### Application Questions
1. The widow in the parable kept coming back to the judge even when she was ignored. Is there something in your life you have stopped praying for because you felt God wasn’t listening? What would it look like to start praying persistently again? ([36:34])
2. The pastor shared a story about his dad giving him a slow car instead of a fast one for his own good. Can you think of a time when God answered your prayer differently than you expected? How did it turn out in the long run? ([43:29])
3. The sermon says that prayer is not about getting our own way, but about aligning our hearts with God’s will. What is one area of your life where you need to pray, “Not my will, but Yours be done”? ([44:47])
4. The pastor emphasized the importance of praying together as a church family. Is there someone in this group or in your life you can commit to praying with regularly? How can you support each other in prayer this week? ([50:12])
5. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us when we don’t know what to pray. Have you ever experienced a time when you didn’t have the words to pray? How did you sense God’s help or presence in that moment? ([51:42])
6. The sermon says our identity as God’s children should give us confidence to come to Him with our needs. Do you struggle to see God as a loving Father? What would help you grow in this area? ([56:35])
7. Jesus asks, “When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” What are some practical ways you can keep your faith strong and not give up, even when you feel discouraged or worn out? ([57:58])
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Close in prayer, asking God to help you persist in prayer, trust His will, and support one another as a family in Christ.
Devotional
Day 1: Persistent Prayer and Not Giving Up
Jesus teaches that we should always pray and not lose heart, even when circumstances seem discouraging or when answers are delayed. The parable of the persistent widow reminds us that God is not like the unjust judge; He cares deeply for us and hears our cries. When we face trials or adversity, our strength is shown by our willingness to keep coming to God, trusting that He will bring justice and answer in His perfect timing. No matter how weary or alone we may feel, we are encouraged to keep praying and not give up, for God is attentive and faithful. [36:34]
Luke 18:1-8 (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.’” And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
Reflection: When have you been tempted to give up praying for something or someone? What would it look like to persist in prayer this week, trusting God’s timing and care?
Day 2: Praying According to God’s Will
Prayer is not about getting our own way, but about aligning our hearts with God’s will. We are invited to approach God with confidence, knowing that when we ask according to His will, He hears us and answers in the way that is best for us—even if it’s not what we expect. Sometimes God’s answer is different from our desires, but His ultimate plan is for our good and for us to spend eternity with Him. Trusting God’s wisdom means surrendering our own plans and praying for His will to be done in our lives. [42:24]
1 John 5:13-15 (ESV)
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life. And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.
Reflection: Is there a prayer you’ve been praying mainly for your own happiness or comfort? How can you reframe that prayer to seek God’s will above your own?
Day 3: The Power of Praying Together
We are not meant to face life’s challenges alone; God has given us the gift of Christian community. When we gather with others in Jesus’ name and agree in prayer, He promises to be present and to act. The church is a family, and when we pray together, we experience God’s power and presence in unique ways. No matter how isolated we may feel, we are surrounded by brothers and sisters who can support us in prayer, and together, nothing is impossible when we seek God’s will. [50:12]
Matthew 18:19-20 (ESV)
Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.
Reflection: Who in your church family can you reach out to today to pray with or for? How might you invite others to join you in prayer for a specific need?
Day 4: The Holy Spirit and Jesus Intercede for Us
Even when we don’t know what to pray or feel weak, the Holy Spirit helps us by interceding on our behalf with groanings too deep for words. Jesus Himself is at the right hand of the Father, praying for us. We are not strangers to God; we are His beloved children, and He delights to give us good gifts, especially the Holy Spirit. We can come to God confidently, knowing that He understands our needs and is actively working for our good, even when we cannot see it. [54:14]
Romans 8:26-27, 34 (ESV)
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. … Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.
Reflection: When have you felt at a loss for words in prayer? Take a moment today to ask the Holy Spirit to help you pray, trusting that Jesus is interceding for you.
Day 5: Faith That Endures to the End
The enemy wants to wear us down and cause us to give up on God, but Jesus calls us to stand firm in faith, even as the world grows darker. True faith is shown not just in moments of triumph, but in perseverance through adversity and discouragement. God never gives up on us, and He calls us to hold fast, trusting that He will see us through every trial. Our faith is strengthened as we remember God’s faithfulness and choose to keep believing, no matter what comes. [58:37]
Matthew 24:12-13 (ESV)
And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel weary or tempted to give up? How can you ask God today for renewed faith and perseverance to endure?
Quotes
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