The Landing Church

TRANSFORMING POWER of PERSISTENT PRAYER
Ask Seek Knock Part 5

“Be persistent in prayer, and keep alert as you pray, always giving thanks to God.”
Colossians 4:2 (TEV)

“One day Jesus told his disciples a story to illustrate that they should always keep on praying and never give up!” Luke 18:1

TWO STORIES OF JESUS:
The Persistent Friend: Luke 11:1-13
The Persistent Widow: Luke 18:1-8

• The Contrast: God listens & cares even if people don’t!
• The Point: God is EAGER to answer your prayers!

WHAT HAPPENS IN ME WHEN I PRAY PERSISTENTLY?

1. It keeps my attention focused on God.

“My eyes are continually looking to the Lord for help, for he alone can rescue me from all the traps.” Psalm 25:15
“Look to the Lord and his strength; Seek his face constantly.” Psalm 105:4

2. Having to wait teaches me about myself.

“I will TEST and PURIFY them as silver is purified by fire. I will test them
as gold is tested. Then they will pray to me, and I will answer them.”
Zechariah 13:9a (TEV)

• It TESTS my DESIRES - What do I really want?
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“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
Psalm 37:4 (NLT)

• It TESTS my PRIORITES - What's most important in to me? _____________________________________________________________________
“Why be like unbelievers who worry about everything? Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and he will give you all you need IF your first concern is to live for His Kingdom.” Matthew 6:32-33
“No good thing will the Lord withhold from those who do what is right.” Psalm 84:11b (NLT)

Q: What’s out of whack________________? Q: Is it a “good thing”

• It TESTS my MATURITY – Am I ready for what I’m asking for? _____________________________________________________________________
“God left Hezekiah on his own for a while to see what he would do;
God wanted to test his heart.” 2 Chronicles 32:31b (Mes)

“The Lord led you through the wilderness for forty years, humbling and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or not you would really obey his commands.” Deuteronomy 8:2 (NLT)

• It TESTS my FAITH. Do I trust my feelings or my Father?
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“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.’” Jeremiah 29:11 (LB)

“Let us not get tired of doing what is right, for at the right time, we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and give up.” Galatians 6:9

ANSWERS TO PRAYER

1. When my request is not right, God says NO.
2. When I am not right, God says GROW.
3. When the timing is not right, God says SLOW.
4. But when my request, the timing, & my character
are all lined up right, God says LETS GO!

“Pray at ALL times, and on EVERY occasion, in the power of the
Holy Spirit. ALWAYS stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for
ALL Christians EVERYWHERE.” Ephesians 6:18