Power of Persistent Intercessory Prayer
Summary
In this sermon, I was reminded of the power and importance of intercessory prayer. I was challenged to use my influence as a child of God to intercede for those in my life who are struggling, asking God to do what only He can do in their lives. This is not a one-time act, but a daily commitment for as long as it takes, recognizing that the evil one is constantly working against them.
The sermon also emphasized the attitudes that should accompany intercessory prayer: persistence, focus, and intensity. I was encouraged to never give up asking God to do His will in the lives of those I care about, to remain focused on God's desire to save and free everyone from the power of sin, and to pray with such intensity that God feels my passion. This is not a casual or passive activity, but a serious commitment, recognizing that we are dealing with eternal life and death issues.
Key takeaways:
- Intercessory prayer is a powerful tool that we can use to influence the lives of those around us, asking God to intervene in ways that we cannot. ([01:13:16])
- Persistence, focus, and intensity are key attitudes that should accompany our intercessory prayers. We should never give up, always remain focused on God's will, and pray with passion. ([01:05:45])
- Intercessory prayer is not a casual or passive activity, but a serious commitment. We are dealing with eternal life and death issues, and our prayers can have a significant impact. ([01:07:11])
- We are called to partner with God in bringing healing and restoration to the world. This involves recognizing the needs of those around us and interceding on their behalf. ([28:18])
- The evil one seeks to steal, kill, and destroy, but through intercessory prayer, we can fight against his influence and ask God to bring healing and restoration. ([34:08])
Study Guide
Bible Passages:
1. Romans 8:34
2. John 3:16-17
3. Hebrews 7:25
Key Points from the sermon:
1. The power of intercessory prayer and its role in the lives of believers.
2. The role of Jesus as our eternal intercessor, advocating for us before God the Father.
3. The importance of praying for others, especially those who are not yet following God.
Observation Questions:
1. What does Romans 8:34 tell us about Jesus' role after His resurrection?
2. What is the promise given in John 3:16-17?
3. According to Hebrews 7:25, what is Jesus' ongoing role?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Romans 8:34 demonstrate the power of Jesus' intercession for us?
2. What does John 3:16-17 reveal about God's purpose in sending Jesus?
3. How does Hebrews 7:25 emphasize the eternal nature of Jesus' intercession?
Application Questions:
1. How can we apply the concept of intercessory prayer in our daily lives?
2. How can we follow Jesus' example of intercession in our relationships with others?
3. What steps can we take to pray more effectively for those who are not yet following God?
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Forgiveness
Forgiveness is not just a simple act, but a powerful tool that God has given us. It is the key that unlocks the chains of resentment and bitterness, allowing us to experience God's love and grace in its fullness. Forgiveness is not about forgetting or condoning the wrong done to us, but about releasing the power it holds over us. It's about choosing to let go of the hurt and pain, and choosing to embrace God's healing and restoration.
Ephesians 4:31-32 - "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
Reflection: Reflect on a person who has wronged you and you're finding it hard to forgive. How is this unforgiveness affecting your relationship with God and others? What steps can you take to start the process of forgiveness? Remember, forgiveness is not a one-time act, but a journey. It's okay to take small steps. The important thing is to start.
Quotes
1. "I'm challenging you and asking you then because you know these people to go to prayer battle for them using your influence as a child of God to ask God to do what only God can do in their life because you don't have the power to do it on a daily basis for how long Pastor Dave well for however long it takes because the evil one is working on them until they stop breathing." - 01:13:01
2. "Too many marriages are being destroyed by selfishness, it's worshiping the god of Me Myself and I. Too many families are being splintered by disunity, why? Worshiping the god of Me Myself and I. The minds and the hearts of too many of our kids in teens are being deadened to the way of God by various deconstructions pressures to embrace those deconstructions and temptations." - 31:22
3. "We're all about helping people Embrace a worldview that's based on this Bible, it's called a Christian worldview and we want to prepare people to handle those things. Too many people are living lives of quiet isolation and desolation because they don't know what their God purpose is, they have no future hope." - 31:22
4. "Write down the names of people on this card and on the back of the card if you want. We're going to engage in intercessory prayer. If there's someone who doesn't need to experience God's salvation but who are struggling in life and they need God to move in some way, write their name and what the issue is." - 01:09:14
5. "Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority over us. We're going to show the world what God's kingdom is all about. Whoever our leaders are, guess what, we're going to pray for it because that's what we do as followers of Jesus. We're going to show the world there's a different way and we do that through interceding through intercessory prayer." - 38:59