Prayer: A Necessity for Spiritual Warfare and Growth

 

Summary

Welcome to Arrows Church, where we believe that everyone is welcome, nobody is perfect, and with Jesus, anything is possible. Today, we delve into the transformative power of prayer, exploring its misconceptions and obstacles. Prayer is not a luxury but a necessity for every believer. It is not merely a sweet, serene moment but can be raw and aggressive, especially in times of crisis. Church planting, akin to taking over hostile territory, has taught me that prayer is like hand-to-hand combat with words. We must confront the enemy through prayer, understanding that it is not just a religious duty but a vital part of our spiritual warfare.

The early church in Acts exemplified a life devoted to prayer, not as an add-on but as a necessity. We must ask ourselves if our lives are structured in a way that necessitates prayer. Misconceptions about prayer often hinder us. We mistakenly view prayer as a luxury, thinking it is only for some Christians. However, Jesus assumed all His followers would pray. We also wrongly believe our prayers bother God, approaching Him timidly. Yet, God is never annoyed by our prayers; He invites us to come boldly before Him.

Prayer is not borrowing from God, nor is it for emergencies only. It is a continuous conversation with our Heavenly Father, who delights in answering our prayers for His glory. Elijah's story on Mount Carmel illustrates that answered prayer showcases God's power and turns hearts back to Him. We must pray continually, not just in crises, but in every aspect of our lives, trusting that God answers in ways that are good for us, even if different from our requests.

Obstacles to prayer include unbelief, willful disobedience, neglect of God's Word, and hypocrisy. Unbelief prevents God from hearing our prayers, while willful disobedience makes our prayers detestable. Neglecting God's Word angers Him, and hypocrisy in religion hinders our prayers. We must examine our lives, ensuring we are all in with our faith, walking in obedience, engaging with God's Word, and living authentically for Him.

Key Takeaways:

- Prayer as Spiritual Warfare: Prayer is not just a serene moment but can be raw and aggressive, especially in times of crisis. It is like hand-to-hand combat with words, confronting the enemy and taking over hostile territory. This perspective shifts prayer from a religious duty to a vital part of spiritual warfare. [02:12]

- Prayer is a Necessity, Not a Luxury: Jesus assumed all His followers would pray, indicating that prayer is not a luxury for some but a necessity for all believers. It is essential for our spiritual growth and connection with God, not just an optional practice. [08:13]

- God is Never Annoyed by Our Prayers: We often approach God timidly, fearing our prayers bother Him. However, God invites us to come boldly before Him, never being annoyed by our prayers. This understanding encourages us to pray with confidence and trust. [11:07]

- Prayer Benefits Us and Glorifies God: While prayer benefits us, its primary purpose is to glorify God. Answered prayers showcase God's power and turn hearts back to Him, as seen in Elijah's story on Mount Carmel. Our prayers should seek to honor God above all. [19:54]

- Overcoming Obstacles to Prayer: Unbelief, willful disobedience, neglect of God's Word, and hypocrisy are obstacles that hinder our prayers. We must examine our lives, ensuring we are all in with our faith, walking in obedience, engaging with God's Word, and living authentically for Him. [28:46]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:12] - Prayer as Spiritual Warfare
[03:50] - Honest Prayer
[08:13] - Prayer is a Necessity
[10:05] - Misconceptions About Prayer
[11:07] - God is Never Annoyed
[17:29] - Prayer is Not Borrowing
[19:54] - Prayer Glorifies God
[21:21] - Prayer is Not for Emergencies Only
[25:20] - God Answers Differently
[27:34] - Obstacles to Prayer
[28:46] - Unbelief as an Obstacle
[30:58] - Willful Disobedience
[32:00] - Neglect of God's Word
[35:51] - Hypocrisy in Religion
[39:28] - Living Authentically for God
[41:15] - Impact of Prayer on Life
[43:07] - Closing Prayer and Offering

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Acts 1:14 - "They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers."
2. 1 Kings 18:36-37 - "At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: 'Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.'"
3. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 - "Pray continually."

Observation Questions:
1. How did the early church in Acts demonstrate their commitment to prayer? What was the significance of their devotion? [03:50]
2. In the story of Elijah on Mount Carmel, what was the purpose of Elijah's prayer, and how did God respond? [19:54]
3. What does 1 Thessalonians 5:17 mean by "pray continually," and how does this differ from praying only in emergencies? [21:21]
4. According to the sermon, what are some misconceptions about prayer that believers often have? [10:05]

Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might the early church have felt that prayer was a necessity rather than a luxury? How does this perspective challenge modern views on prayer? [08:13]
2. How does Elijah's prayer on Mount Carmel illustrate the power and purpose of prayer in glorifying God? What can believers learn from this example? [19:54]
3. What does it mean to "pray continually," and how can this practice impact a believer's daily life and relationship with God? [23:37]
4. How do misconceptions about prayer, such as thinking it bothers God, affect a believer's approach to prayer? What does the sermon suggest about overcoming these misconceptions? [11:07]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current prayer life. Is prayer a necessity or a luxury for you? How can you restructure your life to make prayer a more integral part of your daily routine? [08:13]
2. Consider a time when you felt your prayers were not being heard. What obstacles, such as unbelief or willful disobedience, might have been present? How can you address these obstacles in your life? [28:46]
3. How can you incorporate the practice of "praying continually" into your daily activities, such as work, family time, or personal moments? What specific steps can you take to make this a habit? [23:37]
4. Think about a misconception you might have about prayer. How can you challenge this belief and approach God with more confidence and trust? [11:07]
5. Elijah's prayer was focused on glorifying God and turning hearts back to Him. How can you align your prayers with the purpose of glorifying God in your life and community? [19:54]
6. Identify one area of your life where you feel you are walking in disobedience. What steps can you take this week to seek God's guidance and align your actions with His will? [32:00]
7. How can you engage with God's Word more intentionally to avoid neglecting it? What specific plan can you implement to ensure you are not just reading but also applying God's Word in your life? [35:51]

Devotional

Day 1: Prayer as Spiritual Warfare
Prayer is a powerful tool in spiritual warfare, not just a peaceful ritual. It can be raw and aggressive, especially during crises, akin to hand-to-hand combat with words. This perspective shifts prayer from a mere religious duty to a vital part of confronting spiritual adversaries and reclaiming hostile territories. Understanding prayer in this way empowers believers to engage more deeply and intentionally in their spiritual battles, recognizing the authority and strength they have through prayer. [02:12]

"For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds." (2 Corinthians 10:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: What current challenge in your life can you approach as a spiritual battle, using prayer as your primary weapon?


Day 2: Prayer is a Necessity, Not a Luxury
Prayer is essential for every believer, not just an optional practice for some. Jesus assumed that all His followers would pray, indicating its necessity for spiritual growth and connection with God. This understanding challenges the misconception that prayer is a luxury, reserved for certain Christians. Instead, it is a fundamental aspect of a believer's life, crucial for maintaining a vibrant relationship with God and navigating life's complexities. [08:13]

"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." (Romans 12:12, ESV)

Reflection: How can you restructure your daily routine to make prayer a non-negotiable part of your life?


Day 3: God is Never Annoyed by Our Prayers
Many approach God timidly, fearing their prayers might annoy Him. However, God invites His followers to come boldly before Him, never being annoyed by their prayers. This understanding encourages believers to pray with confidence and trust, knowing that God delights in hearing from them and desires to engage in a continuous conversation. It shifts the perspective from seeing prayer as a burden to recognizing it as a joyful privilege. [11:07]

"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16, ESV)

Reflection: What holds you back from approaching God boldly in prayer, and how can you overcome this barrier today?


Day 4: Prayer Benefits Us and Glorifies God
While prayer benefits believers, its primary purpose is to glorify God. Answered prayers showcase God's power and turn hearts back to Him, as demonstrated in Elijah's story on Mount Carmel. This perspective encourages believers to pray with the intention of honoring God above all, trusting that He answers in ways that are good for them and glorifying to Him, even if different from their requests. [19:54]

"And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us." (1 John 5:14, ESV)

Reflection: How can you align your prayers more closely with the desire to glorify God, rather than just seeking personal benefits?


Day 5: Overcoming Obstacles to Prayer
Obstacles such as unbelief, willful disobedience, neglect of God's Word, and hypocrisy can hinder prayers. Believers are encouraged to examine their lives, ensuring they are fully committed to their faith, walking in obedience, engaging with God's Word, and living authentically for Him. By addressing these obstacles, they can strengthen their prayer life and deepen their relationship with God. [28:46]

"If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened." (Psalm 66:18, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one obstacle in your life that hinders your prayer life. What steps can you take today to overcome it?

Quotes



"Prayer is not a luxury. It's what we have to do. And I know, I was a little punchy, okay? That's the first one. I'm not going to be punchy on the other ones. I hope not. We'll see what the Spirit does, but it's had to get that out there, okay?" [00:10:13] (15 seconds)


"Our heavenly father is not a representation of our earthly fathers. God was not created in the image of your dad. Quite the other way around, okay? So God is not a representation of your earthly dad. He is the ultimate perfection of what your earthly dad could have never been or ever will be." [00:11:01] (26 seconds)


"Prayer benefits us, certainly, and it benefits others, certainly, but it shows God off, primarily. Number five, thinking that prayer is for emergencies only. A big misconception. Look, prayer is for emergencies. Don't get me wrong, but it's not only for emergencies." [00:21:21] (23 seconds)


"Obstacle number one, and we kind of already talked about this a little bit, is unbelief. And what I mean is not unbelief that God can't answer your prayer. That's not what I mean. What I mean is literal unbelief. You don't believe in God. You have not placed your faith in Jesus." [00:28:59] (20 seconds)


"James 1, 22 says, Do not merely listen to the Word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. We understand to do what it says. But what does he mean when he says, so deceive yourselves? Here's why. Because we got people thinking, I read my Bible this year, the whole thing, cover to cover." [00:37:38] (19 seconds)


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Transcript
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