Specific Prayers: Unlocking Faith and God's Provision
Summary
In a compelling sermon, the speaker delved into the significance of specificity in prayer and the power of faith. The message began with an anecdote about RW Shambach, who once held a Prosperity night in Philadelphia. A man seeking employment was offered a garbage collecting job, but he specifically requested a job in the computer industry. Shambach and the man prayed for this precise job, and the man's faith was rewarded as he eventually became one of Shambach's major financial supporters. This story set the tone for the sermon, emphasizing the need for believers to be explicit in their prayers to God.
The speaker continued by drawing from the biblical account of Jesus healing a blind man, underscoring that it was the man's faith that made him whole. The congregation was encouraged to initiate positive changes in their lives, with the assurance that they are no longer bound by sickness, poverty, or addiction. The importance of relying on the Holy Ghost, the word of God, and a supportive church community was highlighted. The speaker concluded this section by inviting individuals to come forward with their specific needs, reinforcing the promise that when two people agree in faith, God will answer their prayers.
Further illustrating the power of specific faith, the speaker shared the story of Barbara, a single mother who had her heart set on a burgundy Suburban with chrome wheels. Initially, she received a white minivan, which led the speaker to caution against settling for less than what God can provide. This narrative was a testament to the belief that living for God brings blessings, and that faith should be targeted towards specific areas of life such as healing, deliverance, finances, relationships, and career.
The sermon also included a call to action for those who had not yet accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. A prayer was led for those ready to make this commitment, highlighting the forgiveness of sins and the new life found in Christ. The speaker expressed gratitude for the message and asked for God's blessing on those who had joined and made a decision for Christ.
Personal stories were woven throughout the sermon, including the speaker's own experience with being specific in prayer when searching for a new car. They shared how they had set their heart on a maroon Silverado with chrome wheels and how their wife later received a black car, both instances where being specific in their desires led to God's provision. The speaker also recounted their quest for an Audi Q7, which, after much prayer and persistence, they found at a price well below their budget.
Key Takeaways:
- Specificity in prayer is not just a practice but a demonstration of faith. When we articulate our desires clearly to God, we are exercising a deeper level of trust in His ability to meet our exact needs. Just as the man in RW Shambach's meeting had faith for a specific job, we too should approach God with precise requests, believing that He is attentive to the details of our lives. [49:52]
- Faith is the conduit through which the power of God is accessed and directed in our lives. Like the blind man whose faith made him whole, we must rise up and actively engage our faith to see transformation in areas bound by sickness, poverty, or addiction. Faith is not passive; it requires action and a willingness to believe in the face of adversity. [01:08:04]
- Living for God encompasses more than just faith; it involves loving Him and acknowledging His provision in all aspects of life. However, faith is specific and should be applied to concrete targets. When we have a clear vision of what we are believing for, like Barbara's burgundy Suburban, our faith becomes focused and potent, capable of moving mountains. [52:46]
- The decision to follow Christ is the most significant one a person can make. It is a step into a new life characterized by forgiveness and transformation. The speaker's invitation to accept Jesus Christ is a reminder of the eternal impact of our spiritual choices and the open arms of a loving God waiting to embrace the prodigal sons and daughters. [01:11:13]
- God's will is an established reality, and aligning our desires with His will is key to receiving what we pray for. The speaker's personal experiences with specific prayers for vehicles demonstrate that when we are clear about our desires and they align with God's will, we can witness His provision in remarkable ways. This principle encourages believers to seek God's will in their lives and to pray with confidence for their specific needs. [57:19]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Mark 10:51-52 (NIV)
> "What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him. The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see." "Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you." Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
2. Matthew 18:19 (NIV)
> "Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven."
#### Observation Questions
1. What specific request did the blind man make to Jesus in Mark 10:51-52?
2. According to the sermon, why is it important to be specific in our prayers? ([49:52])
3. How did the story of Barbara and her burgundy Suburban illustrate the power of specific faith? ([52:46])
4. What does Matthew 18:19 say about the power of agreement in prayer?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus asked the blind man to specify his need, even though it seemed obvious? ([01:00:34])
2. How does being specific in prayer demonstrate a deeper level of trust in God’s ability to meet our needs? ([49:52])
3. In what ways can the principle of specific faith be applied to different areas of life such as healing, finances, and relationships? ([51:26])
4. How does the concept of agreement in prayer, as mentioned in Matthew 18:19, enhance the effectiveness of our prayers?
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you prayed for something specific. How did that experience impact your faith? ([49:52])
2. Are there areas in your life where you have been vague in your prayers? How can you start being more specific in those areas? ([51:26])
3. Think about a current need or desire you have. How can you articulate this need more specifically in your prayers this week? ([01:00:34])
4. Have you ever settled for less than what you believe God can provide, like Barbara with the white minivan? How can you avoid doing this in the future? ([52:46])
5. How can you involve a supportive church community or a prayer partner to agree with you in faith for a specific need? ([01:08:04])
6. The sermon mentioned the importance of aligning our desires with God's will. How can you seek to understand and align your desires with God's will in your daily life? ([55:37])
7. If you have not yet accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, what is holding you back from making this significant decision? How can you take a step towards this commitment today? ([01:11:13])
Devotional
Day 1: Articulate Faith in Prayer
Specific prayers reflect a deep trust in God's attentiveness to our individual needs. By being clear about what is sought, faith is exercised, demonstrating belief in God's ability to provide precisely. This specificity is not about demanding but about engaging with God on a more intimate level, where the details of one's life are laid before Him in trust. [49:52]
James 1:6-7 - "But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord."
Reflection: What specific need or desire have you not brought before God because you're afraid it's too trivial or too detailed?
Day 2: Active Faith Transforms
Faith is not a passive state but an active force that requires one to step out and believe for change. It is the key to unlocking God's power in life, transforming sickness, poverty, and addiction. When faith is put into action, it becomes a dynamic tool that can lead to wholeness and freedom. [01:08:04]
Hebrews 11:33-34 - "Who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to move from passive to active faith, and what is one step you can take today to demonstrate that faith?
Day 3: Targeted Faith for Specific Blessings
Faith should be directed toward specific life targets, whether for healing, provision, or relationships. A clear vision of what is believed for focuses faith, making it more potent and likely to result in blessings. This targeted approach to faith does not limit God but shows a willingness to trust Him for the desires of the heart. [52:46]
Habakkuk 2:2-3 - "Then the Lord replied: 'Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it lingers, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.'"
Reflection: What specific vision or desire have you not fully committed to in prayer, and how can you begin to focus your faith on it?
Day 4: Embracing New Life in Christ
The decision to follow Christ is transformative, offering a new life characterized by forgiveness and hope. Accepting Jesus is the most significant step one can take, leading to a journey of redemption and a profound change in identity and purpose. This new life is a testament to the power of God's love and grace. [01:11:13]
Ephesians 4:22-24 - "You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."
Reflection: What aspects of your 'old self' are you still clinging to, and what steps can you take to embrace the new life Christ offers?
Day 5: Aligning Desires with God's Will
When desires are aligned with God's will, prayer becomes a powerful tool for receiving His blessings. Understanding God's will and submitting personal wishes to it is key to experiencing His provision. This alignment is not about limiting God but about harmonizing with His greater plan for our lives. [57:19]
1 John 5:14-15 - "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him."
Reflection: How can you discern whether your desires are aligned with God's will, and what is one desire you need to surrender or re-align today?
Quotes
"When you come to God, be specific in your requests. It's not enough to just seek a blessing; define what you need, and let your faith do the work." [48:34] (Download)
"True faith is about specificity and believing God for the exact things we need, just as the computer analyst did when he rejected a general prayer for any job and instead received the exact job he desired." [49:09] (Download)
"Your faith is not designed for general blessing; your lifestyle is designed for general blessings." [49:52] (Download)
"Any two on Earth agree as in asking anything, my father shall do it for them and we're going to apply specific Faith at a specific Target and expect a miracle." [01:08:04] (Download)
"God's will for you is already established through Jesus Christ; it's a reality for you and it's in the Unseen Realm." [55:37] (Download)
"What do you want me to do for you? Be specific—color options, whatever it is—and it's amazing what God will do." [56:32] (Download)
"Faith goes to a specific area, is the area healing, is the area Deliverance, is the area of finances, is the area your marriage, your relationships, your business, your job. What specifically do you want from God?" [51:26] (Download)
"Maybe God wants to do more than just pay your rent, maybe He wants to bless you so you never have to pay rent again." [52:06] (Download)
"God demands us to be specific; let me show you the specific manifestation of that specific request takes all the doubt of whether it was God or not." [01:00:34] (Download)
"Your faith... what gathers that power, what directs that power, what aims that power at a specific Target." [01:03:48] (Download)
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