Living Waters Christian Fellowship - Lake Nacimiento - California

11:1  Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”
 
2 So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.
 
3 Give us day by day our daily bread.
 
4 And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.”

Matthew 6
13 ... For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

5 And He said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves;
 
6 ‘for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him’;
 
7 “and he will answer from within and say, ‘Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you’?
 
8 “I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs.
 
9 “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
 
10 “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
 
11 “If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish?
 
12 “Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?
 
13 “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

Introduction  In this life, there are many struggles, challenges, things that would try to defeat us, cause things to turn out to be less than they should.  We need persistence, and it’s OK to be persistent with God in prayer.  Moms especially know this.

Most powerful prayer, husband and wife in agreement, yet very low percentage.

I. Definition of Prayer   Communication with God in the spirit realm.  Putting all your begs in one ask-it.

II. The Components of Prayer

A. Recognize God as Father  v2

2 So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven

B. Recognize His position - enthroned in Heaven  v2

2 So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven

The highest place in the universe, the Throne of God, the ultimate position of power and authority. Recognizing Him as Father, and as Sovereign of the universe builds up our faith when we pray.

C. Hallow His Name  v2
 
2 So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.

Name - not just a word of identification, but also character, nature, reputation. 

D. Acknowledge this age and the age to come   v2

2 So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.

E. Ask for daily provision  v3

3 Give us day by day our daily bread.

F. Seek forgiveness for missing the mark of love  v4 

4 And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.

G. Request protection from ourselves and the enemy  v4

4 And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.”

H. Say “Amen” with faith  Matthew 6:13b, John 14:13-14

13b For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

John 14:13-14
13 “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
 
14 “If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.

III. Persistence

Men ought always to pray and not give up

5 And He said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves;
 
6 ‘for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him’;
 
7 “and he will answer from within and say, ‘Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you’?
 
8 “I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs.
 
9 “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
 
10 “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
 
11 “If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish?
 
12 “Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?
 
13 “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

A. We know how to respond to the needs of our children, especially when they are persistent

B. God knows how to respond to our needs when we pray and keep on praying

IV. Some Areas of Persistence

A. When striving for excellence - education, athletics, career, living conditions, relationships, marriage, who your kids will marry

B. When dealing with an unacceptable situation - don’t get worn down, give up

C. When there is an emergency - some unexpected thing is thrown at us, like unannounced visitors, or someone is injured or gets sick.  Something suddenly changes in a negative way.

D. When the devil is trying to steal, kill or destroy

V. God’s Main Answer for our Persistent Prayers  v13

13 “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

A. His Presence

B. His Power

1. Gifts and abilities

2. Fruit and heart attitudes

C. His Provision

Conclusion 

 
9 “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
 
10 “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
 
11 “If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish?
 
12 “Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?
 
13 “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”