Prayer Week 2 - The Pace of Prayer
Read
Luke 18:1-8
18 Now he told them a parable on the need for them to pray always and not give up. 2 “There was a judge in a certain town who didn’t fear God or respect people. 3 And a widow in that town kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ 4 “For a while he was unwilling, but later he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or respect people, 5 yet because this widow keeps pestering me, I will give her justice, so that she doesn’t wear me out by her persistent coming.’” 6 Then the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 Will not God grant justice to his elect who cry out to him day and night? Will he delay helping them? 8 I tell you that he will swiftly grant them justice. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
Romans 12:12
12 Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.
2 Thessalonians 5:17
17 pray constantly,
James 5:10-11
10 Brothers and sisters, take the prophets who spoke in the Lord’s name as an example of suffering and patience. 11 See, we count as blessed those who have endured. You have heard of Job’s endurance and have seen the outcome that the Lord brought about—the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
Summary
This is week two of our PRAYER series and we will be talking about, the pace of prayer.
The first point this week was, A Persistent Pace Endures Pain. During this time, widows were at the mercy of the culture around them. She in particular, was acquainted with sorrow. However, she was bold enough to ask the judge to do something. She did not allow her past to prevent her from doing something better for her life.
What drives us to pray? It’s usually something happening in our life. Worry is a misdirected passion, she was persistently passionate about life, about change, about God’s character.
Our second point this week was Persistent Pace Expects Change. She is so focused on change; she doesn’t care about the character of the person she is talking to. All she cares about is the change she was expecting. She was willing to talk to a person she shouldn't be talking to and should be afraid of. The judge did not fear God or respect people. Every time we pray, God changes us or changes someone else. A persistence prayer expects change.
Our final point was A Persistent Pace Exalts God. The unjust judge did not care about justice. We will not grind God down to where he will be “pestered” like the unjust judge. God is going to move, flowing from His own character. We need to continue to pray, and not give up. Do not lose heart in prayer, or forget the power of prayer.
So now what? This was not a how-to sermon; it was about being persistent. How can we keep track of our prayers? We can start a prayer journal and document not just our prayers, but answered prayers as well. We can also choose to trust the character of God when times are hard. If we believe that God is everything the Bible says He is, then set your life on pace to see His face.
Discussion
What is the PACE of your PRAYER life? Share
How PERSISTENT are you in your PRAYER life? Share
Do PAINFUL situations draw you or keep you from PRAYER? Share
How has PRAYER CHANGED situations in your life? Share
How is God EXALTED in your PRAYER life? Share
Do you keep track of ANSWERED PRAYERS? How
Announcements
As a part of the MOVEMENT here at BT, please be sure that you and your group are a part of the PRAYER GATHERING that takes place the first Wednesday of every month.
We have started new adult classes that are meeting on Sundays and Wednesdays.
What is Authentic Community Sunday Mornings at 11am (McAllen Campus)
Parenting Class Wednesday nights at 6:30pm (McAllen Campus)
The Book of Ruth Wednesday nights at 6:30 (Alice Campus)
Let’s continue to pray for each other and send prayer requests through our WhatsApp thread. If you are a CG Leader and are not on our WhatsApp thread please contact Meichelle at meichelle.vasquez@bt.church
Pastor Isuaro Medina
Isauro.medina@bt.church
Cell: (956) 984-9380
