Persistent Prayer: Trusting in God's Goodness

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of Persistent Prayer

Jesus encourages us to always pray and never give up, using the parable of the unjust judge and the persistent widow to illustrate the power of relentless prayer. Unlike the unjust judge, God is loving and just, eager to respond to our prayers. This teaches us that persistence in prayer is not about wearing God down but about deepening our relationship with Him. When we persist in prayer, we are not trying to change God's mind but aligning our hearts with His will. This persistence builds our faith and trust in God's timing and His perfect plan for our lives.

In Luke 18, Jesus tells a parable to show His disciples that they should always pray and never give up. The parable features an unjust judge and a persistent widow. The widow's relentless petitions eventually compel the judge to act, not because he cares, but to avoid being worn out by her persistence. Jesus uses this story to contrast the unjust judge with God, who is just and loving. If an unjust judge can be moved by persistence, how much more will a loving God respond to our prayers? [02:53]

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: Think of a prayer request you have been persistent about. How has this persistence affected your relationship with God? Can you see ways in which your faith has grown through this process?

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Day 2: God's Goodness and Our Mixed Motives

Even when our prayers are mixed with selfish motives, God in His kindness still hears them. This is a reminder that our confidence should not be in our ability to pray perfectly but in God's goodness. He gathers our imperfect prayers and uses them for His purposes, demonstrating His grace and mercy. Our prayers do not need to be perfect or eloquent; they need to be sincere. God understands our hearts and our intentions, and He is gracious enough to work through our imperfections.

Prayer is not about saying the right words or praying a certain number of times. It's about cultivating a relationship with God and trusting in His goodness. Sometimes, our prayers are mixed with selfish motives, but God in His kindness still hears them. Prayer is also a means by which God changes us, teaching us about His character and shaping our own. Even when our prayers seem unanswered, we must trust in God's goodness, as demonstrated by Jesus' own experience in the Garden of Gethsemane. [12:29]

James 4:3 (ESV): "You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent prayer you made. Were there any selfish motives behind it? How can you shift your focus to align more with God's will and trust in His goodness?

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Day 3: Prayer as a Means of Transformation

Prayer is not just about asking God to intervene but also about allowing God to change us. When our prayers seem unanswered, it may be an invitation to look inward and see what God is teaching us about Himself and how He wants to shape our character. Through prayer, we learn more about God's character and His desires for our lives. It is a transformative process that molds us into the people God wants us to be.

Prayer is a powerful tool for personal transformation. It is through prayer that we can experience God's presence and allow Him to work in our hearts. When we pray, we open ourselves up to God's guidance and correction. This process can be challenging, especially when our prayers seem unanswered. However, it is in these moments that we are invited to trust in God's wisdom and timing. By focusing on what God is teaching us, we can grow in our faith and become more like Christ. [27:42]

Romans 12:2 (ESV): "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Reflection: Think about a time when your prayers seemed unanswered. What lessons did you learn about God's character and your own? How did this experience shape your faith and character?

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Day 4: The Role of Prayer in Community

We are called to fill the bowl of prayers for our community, family, and friends. Every prayer is gathered by God and poured back out in ways that bring redemption and transformation. This collective effort in prayer can lead to significant changes in our surroundings. When we pray for others, we participate in God's redemptive work and become instruments of His grace and mercy.

Prayer is not just a personal practice but a communal one. As believers, we are called to intercede for one another and lift each other up in prayer. This collective effort in prayer can lead to significant changes in our surroundings. When we pray for our community, family, and friends, we are participating in God's redemptive work. Every prayer is gathered by God and poured back out in ways that bring redemption and transformation. This communal aspect of prayer reminds us that we are part of a larger body of believers, and our prayers have the power to impact the lives of those around us. [19:17]

Ephesians 6:18 (ESV): "Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints."

Reflection: Think of someone in your community who needs prayer. How can you commit to praying for them consistently? What impact do you believe your prayers can have on their life and the community as a whole?

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Day 5: Jesus' Example of Trust in God's Goodness

Jesus' experience in the Garden of Gethsemane shows us how to handle unanswered prayers. Even when God did not deliver Him from suffering, Jesus trusted in God's goodness. This teaches us that God's goodness is not on trial with every prayer request; it was demonstrated once and for all through the resurrection. Jesus' trust in God's plan, even in the face of immense suffering, serves as a powerful example for us to follow.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed fervently for God to take away the cup of suffering He was about to endure. Despite His anguish, Jesus ultimately submitted to God's will, saying, "Not my will, but yours be done." This moment of surrender highlights the importance of trusting in God's goodness, even when our prayers seem unanswered. Jesus' trust in God's plan, even in the face of immense suffering, serves as a powerful example for us to follow. It reminds us that God's goodness is not dependent on our circumstances but is a constant truth that we can rely on. [32:21]

Matthew 26:39 (ESV): "And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, 'My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.'"

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you faced a difficult situation and your prayers seemed unanswered. How can Jesus' example in the Garden of Gethsemane inspire you to trust in God's goodness and plan for your life?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good morning, everyone. Today, we continue our series called "Fertile Ground," focusing on how we can become fruitful people as God designed us to be. Jesus' teachings are like seeds packed with power and potential. If we receive His teachings into our hearts and let them shape us, we will become fruitful people. Today, we delve into one of Jesus' favorite teachings: prayer. Prayer is a complex subject; many people pray even if they don't believe in God. However, prayer can be challenging, and many feel they don't pray enough or have been disappointed by unanswered prayers. Yet, the Scriptures and church history show that when believers pray, God sometimes does extraordinary things.

In Luke 18, Jesus tells a parable to show His disciples that they should always pray and never give up. The parable features an unjust judge and a persistent widow. The widow's relentless petitions eventually compel the judge to act, not because he cares, but to avoid being worn out by her persistence. Jesus uses this story to contrast the unjust judge with God, who is just and loving. If an unjust judge can be moved by persistence, how much more will a loving God respond to our prayers?

Prayer is not about saying the right words or praying a certain number of times. It's about cultivating a relationship with God and trusting in His goodness. Sometimes, our prayers are mixed with selfish motives, but God in His kindness still hears them. Prayer is also a means by which God changes us, teaching us about His character and shaping our own. Even when our prayers seem unanswered, we must trust in God's goodness, as demonstrated by Jesus' own experience in the Garden of Gethsemane.

As we move into our time of communion, let's remember that Jesus is always praying for us, never giving up on us. This is a call to always pray and never give up, trusting in the goodness of God.

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Key Takeaways

1. The Power of Persistent Prayer: Jesus encourages us to always pray and never give up, using the parable of the unjust judge and the persistent widow to illustrate the power of relentless prayer. Unlike the unjust judge, God is loving and just, eager to respond to our prayers. This teaches us that persistence in prayer is not about wearing God down but about deepening our relationship with Him. [02:53]
2. God's Goodness and Our Mixed Motives: Even when our prayers are mixed with selfish motives, God in His kindness still hears them. This is a reminder that our confidence should not be in our ability to pray perfectly but in God's goodness. He gathers our imperfect prayers and uses them for His purposes, demonstrating His grace and mercy. [12:29]
3. Prayer as a Means of Transformation: Prayer is not just about asking God to intervene but also about allowing God to change us. When our prayers seem unanswered, it may be an invitation to look inward and see what God is teaching us about Himself and how He wants to shape our character. [27:42]
4. The Role of Prayer in Community: We are called to fill the bowl of prayers for our community, family, and friends. Every prayer is gathered by God and poured back out in ways that bring redemption and transformation. This collective effort in prayer can lead to significant changes in our surroundings. [19:17]
5. Jesus' Example of Trust in God's Goodness: Jesus' experience in the Garden of Gethsemane shows us how to handle unanswered prayers. Even when God did not deliver Him from suffering, Jesus trusted in God's goodness. This teaches us that God's goodness is not on trial with every prayer request; it was demonstrated once and for all through the resurrection. [32:21]
### [32:21]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:58] - The Complexity of Prayer
[02:53] - The Power of Persistent Prayer
[03:54] - Always Pray and Never Give Up
[05:52] - Struggling with Prayer
[07:10] - The Parable of the Unjust Judge
[08:22] - God's Goodness vs. the Unjust Judge
[09:25] - Personal Experience with Prayer
[10:28] - When Religious Activity Goes Wrong
[11:44] - The Right Use of Religious Practices
[12:29] - Mixed Motives in Prayer
[13:15] - God's Response to Our Prayers
[14:04] - Confidence in God's Goodness
[15:13] - The Impact of a Warped View of God
[16:13] - Always Pray and Never Give Up
[17:21] - Addressing Unanswered Prayers
[18:43] - Filling the Bowl of Prayers
[20:11] - No Magic Words in Prayer
[21:18] - Growing in Prayer
[22:47] - Learning to Pray
[23:40] - God is Not Reluctant
[24:48] - God's Timing vs. Our Timing
[25:40] - Prayer and Action
[26:52] - Being the Answer to Our Prayers
[27:42] - Prayer as a Means of Transformation
[28:30] - Asking Different Questions in Prayer
[29:46] - Starting and Continuing in Prayer
[30:30] - Praying for Others
[31:32] - Recap on Prayer
[32:21] - Jesus' Example of Trust
[33:20] - The Goodness of God
[33:54] - Jesus Always Prays for Us
[34:32] - Communion
[35:27] - Invitation to Communion and Prayer
[36:28] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Luke 18:1-8 (NIV) — > Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’” And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

2. Revelation 5:8 (NIV)
> And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.

3. Matthew 26:36-39 (NIV)
> Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

Observation Questions

What is the main lesson Jesus wants to teach through the parable of the unjust judge and the persistent widow in Luke 18:1-8?
How does the parable of the unjust judge contrast the character of God with that of the judge? [08:22]
According to Revelation 5:8, what do the golden bowls full of incense represent?
In Matthew 26:36-39, what does Jesus pray for in the Garden of Gethsemane, and how does He conclude His prayer?

Interpretation Questions

How does the persistence of the widow in Luke 18:1-8 illustrate the importance of persistent prayer in our lives?
What does the imagery of the golden bowls full of incense in Revelation 5:8 suggest about the value and impact of our prayers? [18:43]
How does Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-39) demonstrate trust in God's goodness despite unanswered prayers? [32:21]
What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between our mixed motives in prayer and God's response to those prayers? [12:29]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt like giving up on prayer. How can the parable of the unjust judge and the persistent widow encourage you to keep praying? [05:52]
The sermon mentioned that our prayers are gathered by God and poured back out in ways that bring redemption and transformation. How can this understanding change the way you pray for your community, family, and friends? [19:17]
Jesus trusted in God's goodness even when His prayer in Gethsemane was not answered as He wished. How can you cultivate a similar trust in God's goodness in your own life, especially when facing unanswered prayers? [32:21]
The sermon highlighted that prayer is not just about asking God to intervene but also about allowing God to change us. Can you identify an area in your life where God might be using unanswered prayers to shape your character? [27:42]
The pastor shared a personal story about realizing mixed motives in his prayers. Have you ever experienced a similar realization? How did it affect your prayer life, and what steps did you take to address it? [12:29]
The sermon encourages us to fill the bowl of prayers for our community. What specific steps can you take this week to be more intentional about praying for those around you? [19:17]
Jesus is always praying for us and never gives up on us. How does this truth impact your view of prayer and your relationship with Jesus? [33:54]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "If you're not an especially religious person, if you ask a religious person about their prayer life, eventually you'll discover two things. One, most of them will say, I don't feel like I pray enough. And two, almost all of them will tell you if they're honest, I've been disappointed. Sometimes. It's been hard. Sometimes God hasn't given me the thing that I thought he should have wanted to give me. So prayer is kind of a complicated thing. And yet, here's what we see in the scriptures and for 2,000 years of church history. That when people who believe in Jesus pray, sometimes, not always, God does crazy things. Like crazy things. Things that no one could conjure up or invent or do in their own strength. That when God's people pray, God, in his mercy, hears those prayers. And says yes to them." [01:58] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Always pray. Never give up. What do you do when God's not answering these prayers that you think he should answer? What do you do when the prayers aren't being heard, doesn't feel like God's anywhere doing anything? You know what you do? Always pray. Never give up. What if you don't like praying? Merry Christmas. No one's asking you. No one cares if you like praying or not. That's not a question. You've got a tool, a gift. Always pray. Never give up." [06:27] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "God did not give you a voice to sound like someone else's voice. God gave you your voice. That you might contribute your voice alongside everyone else's voices to go before the throne of God that his kingdom might come. His will might be done on earth as it is in heaven. What do you do if you don't feel like you sound like a good prayer? You don't feel like you know how to pray or say the right things. Or you don't have like the spiritual holy. The now voice that someone that you grew up with had. Always pray. Never, ever, ever give up." [07:10] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "God is good. He hears the prayers of his children. He responds to the requests of his children. God is good. He does hear the cries. Move toward us. And that is the basis for relentless prayer. That is the basis for prevailing prayer. That is the basis for courageous prayer. That is the basis for always praying. And never ever ever giving up." [17:21] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "If you're here today, you're not a praying person, like not a person of faith, not a Jesus person. We're so glad you're here. What if you gave God one week of praying and not giving up? As often as you might remember it, what if you said, okay, I'm going to give God one week. Well, I'm going to try my best just to be a person of prayer. I'm not even sure if God exists. I'm not even sure if this is real. I'm not sure. I'm not sure if God is even hearing this, but I'm willing to give this a shot." [29:46] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "Jesus is telling a parable to his disciples because there's going to be days when they don't want to pray. That's why he's telling them to keep praying, right? He's telling them to keep praying because there's going to be days when they don't feel like praying, just like there's days when you don't feel like praying. So what does it mean if you don't really like to pray that much, if you struggle to pray? You know what it means? It means you're normal. Merry Christmas. Always pray. Never give up." [05:52] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Last summer I had a sense from the Lord. That he was calling me to pray more. Like over the course of the summer. When I had a little bit more margin. And less kids running around. And that kind of thing. So I doubled my time in prayer. All summer long. From whatever my normal time would have been. To doubling that. So normally I'm about 30 plus minutes or so. In scripture and prayer. I spent an hour every summer morning. That I could. If I was on vacation. Off on a vacation. I was kind of like. I was kind of checked out. Like I was at least in prayer. For 15, 20 minutes. Every day. All summer long. Mostly an hour. It was one of the richest summers in prayer I'd ever had. It was really deep. And mostly I was praying. For Chatham County and Chatham Community Church. That God would give us more of his Holy Spirit." [09:25] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Here's how religious activity goes wrong. When we use religious stuff. Coming to church. Praying. To prop us up. That's when it goes wrong. Versus opening us up. That's when it's working rightly. When you use a religious activity. Look how much I pray. Look how much I go to church. I read the Bible. I do these things. I don't do these other things. All good stuff. When you use that as a prop. Or a set of badges. Or a scoreboard. To demonstrate. Here's how good I am. That's when religious self-righteousness creeps in. And there's nothing worse from the pit of hell. Than religious self-righteousness. Literally. It's what sent Jesus to the cross. That's how bad it can get. So religious self-righteousness. When it's used as a prop. To prop me up. That's when it goes wrong. But when I use religious practices. To open me up. Ha ha. That's when it's good." [11:09] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "See, sometimes all we can do is cry out for God to do something that we can't do. God, would you heal this person who's sick or do a thing that I can't do. And yet, sometimes God is saying to you, I want you to be the answer to your own prayers. There. There have been times. Here's my true confession. There have been times when I've been praying, God, would you do this? Would you do this? Would you do this? And God says, I'm not answering that prayer. I want you to go do it. I want you to be the answer to your prayer. There have been times when I've been hiding behind prayer. Asking God to do a miracle when God's like, no, no, no, no, no. You take responsibility. I don't want to take the risk. God says, you take the risk. I'm going to go with you. I'm not abandoning you. But I'm not going to wave a magic wand and just fix something. That's your responsibility. That's your responsibility to go and fix." [26:20] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "If God's not intervening, what is God teaching me about himself or doing in me? What's God showing me about his character or how is God wanting to shape my character? If God's not yet intervening, if God hasn't moved quickly, is God just asking me to keep persevering, be faithful, be steadfast, to continue to come and keep at it and keep at it and keep at it? Or is God wanting me to lift my head and say, hey, listen, you keep beating your head against this thing over here. I'm at work over there. Are you willing to look over there instead of just being so focused on this thing that you want me to do? Every so often, God's trying to redirect me, shape me, or give me a different picture, a bigger picture of who he is and what he's about." [28:30] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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