Sermon Central
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P.u.s.h.--Pray Until Something Happens! Series
Contributed by David Dykes on Nov 28, 2017 (message contributor)
Summary: In this parable, we learn the value of positive, persistent prayer and the need for prayer in our lives.
C.S. Lewis wrote, “Prayer is request. The essence of a request, as distinct from a demand, is that it may or may not be granted. And if an infinitely wise Being listens to the requests of finite and foolish creatures, of course He will sometimes grant them and sometimes refuse them...If God had granted all the silly prayers I’ve made in my life, where should I be now?
CONCLUSION
Just two weeks ago, the Washington snipers had millions of people paralyzed with fear. About ten days ago, a truck driver named Ron Lanz found the sniper’s car at a rest stop. He called 911 and then used his rig to block the exit ramp in case the suspects woke up before the authorities arrived.
Ron Lanz claims finding the snipers was an answer to prayer. A few nights earlier, Ron joined over 50 truckers at a prayer meeting where they asked God to help them find the snipers. Ron was nearing retirement and didn’t even live in that area, but he felt compelled to attend the prayer meeting. After the prayer time, Ron told several of his friends he felt God was going to use him to catch the snipers. The rest is history. Ron has refused to be called a hero, and he insists he is a simple man of prayer. He has offered to divide the half million dollar reward among the families of the sniper victims. That’s a class act–and it’s a great testimony of the power of prayer.
Our praying should be like the story of Jacob wrestling the angel in Genesis 32. They wrestled all night and toward morning, Jacob had the angel in a full Nelson grip. The angel said, “Jacob, let me go.” Now, I think it was like WWF, it was a fixed fight. The mighty angel could have tossed Jacob off in a heartbeat, but God was teaching Jacob (and us) a valuable lesson about the power of persistent, tenacious praying.
Imagine Jacob hanging onto that angel. He said, “I won’t let you go until you bless me.” So the angel said, “Okay, your name has been Jacob (which means “grabber”). From now on you will be named Israel (which means prince of God). What a great prayer lesson! Have you ever grabbed onto God in prayer and begged Him saying, “I’m not going to quit praying until you answer me?”
What is God trying to say to you personally? Are you consumed with worry and anxiety? Pray instead. Have you stopped praying about a need in your life? Are you considering quitting in some area where God has placed you? Don’t quit–keep on praying persistently! Are you filled with doubt about prayer? Start praying positively, expecting God to answer. Every time you walk through a door that says PUSH–let God remind you to Pray Until Something Happens!
