Contending Before the Throne of God

Series: The Five Essentials to Answered Prayer #6
Scripture Reading: Luke 18:1-8
Date: June 29, 2003
Speaker: Rev. Dr. Dwayne Mercer

Praying is about laying hold to the willingness of God

The Explanation of the Parable
1.) Pray continually and do not given up on your prayers
2.) Have this picture in your head of a police officer constantly on watch
3.) Do not lose heart or grow weary; refer to Galatians 6:9
4.) This is a parable of contrast
5.) In God's timing, answers will come
         - Yes, it is the will of God and it will happen
         - No, it is not the will of God and there is something better
         - Wait, God's delay is not God's denial; refer to Luke 11

The Application to Our Prayers
A.) Persistent praying focuses our attention on God
        - which is why some answers require time
B.) Persistent praying clarifies my desire
        - what does our heart desire?
        - allows us to pray specifically
C.) Persistent prayer grows faith
        - sometimes God delays what we want; delayed gratification
        - it's like children at Christmas
        - if Christmas were everyday it would lose it's flavor
        - delayed gratification produces enduring faith; James 1
        - refer to Proverbs 17:3
D.) Persistent prayer battles the devil
        - refer to Daniel and dream
        - our prayers turn loose the power of heaven
        - our prayers bring power to battle evil
        - angels are willing to fight for your prayers to be answered
E.) Persistent praying prepares me for the blessing God really wants for us

The Motivation for Our Persistence
1.) To wait upon the Lord and take courage
2.) To trust God will all your heart
3.) To be faithful and believe that God will answer prayers in faith