Pray Hard Pastor Dave Jansen September 8, 2019 Series: ASK: Ask Seek Knock

What does it look like to pray hard?

--Luke 18:1-8 (NLT) 1 One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. 2 “There was a judge in a certain city,” he said, “who neither feared God nor cared about people. 3 A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, “Give me justice in this dispute with my enemy.’ (cont’d) --Luke 18:1-8 (NLT)

4 The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself, ‘I don’t fear God or care about people, 5 but this woman is driving me crazy. I’m going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!’” 6 Then the Lord said, “Learn a lesson from this unjust judge. (cont’d) --Luke 18:1-8 (NLT)

--Luke 18:1-8 (NLT) 7 Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?” --Luke 18:1-8 (NLT)

1. Pray with tenacity

2. Pray with intensity

9 Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: 10 “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: (cont’d) --Luke 18: 9-14 (NLT)

‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! 12 I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’ 13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. (cont’d) --Luke 18: 9-14 (NLT)

Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ 14 I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” --Luke 18: 9-14 (NLT)

3. Pray in community

13 Are any of you suffering hardships. You should pray 13 Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. 14 Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. (cont’d) --James 5:13-16 (NLT)

15 Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven. 16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. --James 5:13-16 (NLT)

--Matthew 18:19-20 (NLT) 19 Truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them. --Matthew 18:19-20 (NLT)

4. Pray with authority

Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” --Acts 3:6 (NIV)

--Acts 4:10 (NIV) It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. --Acts 4:10 (NIV)

12 I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. 13 You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. 14 Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it! --John 14:12-14 (NLT)

The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. --James 5:16 (NLT)