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Luke 11:5-13
We invite you to join us for worship each Sunday morning at 9:30. You can download our service on iTunes or tune in for “The Good Word” each day on AM 1230 WSAL or on Hoosier Country 103.7 FM just after 8am. Wouldn’t it be just wonderful if God answered every prayer with an immediate yes or no? Even an immediate “wait” would be helpful wouldn’t it? We all know that’s not the way God works! Paul told the Thessalonians to pray without ceasing. Do you know he most likely learned that from the Lord? In Luke 18:1 in the prayer of the persistent widow, Jesus is teaching that we, “ought always to pray and not lose heart.” In Luke 10:2 Jesus tells us to “pray earnestly” for people who will share the gospel with those around them. One writer says, “Persistent prayer requires patience, determination and, at times, a willingness to wrestle with God for the desired outcome.” There is a “1st truth” that must always be obeyed when offering any kind of prayer for anything! That 1st truth is: all prayer must be in harmony and accordance with God’s truth. Let’s consider some other Biblical principles concerning a persistent prayer life.
- SHOULD BE WITH PATIENCE AND PERSEVERANCE! Read 1Chron. 16. Beginning in verse 8 is David’s song of thanksgiving and praise to God because He helped David to return the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem and it has been placed in a tent that David erected for that purpose. The key thought here is seek continually.” Read Psalm 40: read 1 – 3. Verse 1 describes David’s attitude concerning his prayer requests to God. David was willing to be content, waiting on God to answer his prayers. David did not put a time limit on his prayers, nor did he give God instructions on how to answer David’s prayers. If you learn to pray with patience and perseverance as did David – you will learn all the same lessons David did! Persistent prayer: Persistent prayer:
- IS THE PRACTICE TAUGHT BY CHRIST! Read Luke 11:5-13. In the parable, Jesus tells us the one who comes knocking and asking is impudent, or persistent. Impudent carries with it the idea of contemptuous nest or cocky boldness or disregard of others. The New Living Translation uses the phrase “shameless persistence.” The man’s attitude is, in essence, “I don’t care if you’re in bed, I’m in a bind and I need your help, so get up and give me the bread.” In verses 9, 10 Jesus teaches us persistence in prayer is also a demonstration of our uncompromising faith that God will provide for us that which we need. Notice Jesus says keep asking which is an invitation to come to The Father with our request; but is not to be taken as an order to pray. Conversation with our Heavenly Father must, like all other facets of our salvation relationship to Him, find its origin in grace – not law! As we ask we are to keep seeking = a redeemed heart in pursuit of God to secure His abundant provision. And we are to keep knocking = an indication that we will not be deterred or distracted in our pursuit of God. Persistent prayer was
- EXEMPLIFIED AND PRACTICED by the early Church. Read Rom. 12:9-18. If you notice beginning in verse 9 through verse 18 Paul writes a list of Christian virtues and character qualities that are all to be a way of life for the true Christian. In verse 10 we are told to be strong “in the Lord, and in His might.” Here is a truth for you to remember: The armor of God is spiritual armor – because we are in a spiritual warfare – against spiritual forces of evil! All our spiritual weapons must be rooted and grounded in prayer which is our most powerful resource. Let me give you just 4 reasons to be persistent in prayer: 1. The Bible teaches us to do so – as we have learned today. 2. It reminds us of specific petitions we have brought to God. 3. It reminds us to live in such a way that God can answer our prayers. 4. It reminds us that we cannot live independently of God and His provisions for our daily lives. So if God teaches us, and invites us, to come to Him continually with our requests, it is in our best interest to do exactly as He says!
If we can help you answer your spiritual questions, call us at (574) 643-9419.
