The Power of Persistent Prayer
This sermon explores the profound influence of prayer in shaping lives and generations. It reminds us that our greatest impact often comes not from our own efforts, but from faithfully bringing our loved ones before God.
This sermon encourages believers to embrace their role as intercessors, emphasizing that persistent prayer is the most powerful influence we have for our children and loved ones, enabling a lasting spiritual legacy.
Overview
The sermon begins by honoring mothers and acknowledging the feelings of inadequacy many experience. It highlights a comforting message of grace, reminding that God delights in us and fills our gaps, not basing approval on performance. This sets a foundation of God's love before delving into the call to prayer.
Drawing inspiration from a spiritual awakening in the UK, where fervent prayer is stirring a new openness to the gospel, the preacher redirects a pre-planned sermon. The core message shifts to the power of persistent prayer, especially in the home, asserting that our strongest influence on loved ones comes from what we say to God about them, not just what we say to them.
The sermon defines intercession as standing before God on behalf of those who cannot or will not come themselves. It references 1 Peter 2:9, calling believers a 'royal priesthood,' and Joel 2:17, depicting the priest weeping between the portico and the altar. The Hebrew word 'paga,' translated as intercede, is explored, conveying a persistent, even confrontational, supplication, standing in the breach between God's mercy and mankind's need.
Through examples like Charles Finny weeping for his children and Monica's 31 years of prayer for St. Augustine, the sermon encourages persevering prayer, even when the fruit is not immediately visible. It challenges listeners to pray for a deeper vision for their children's lives, beyond mere safety, and to embrace the opportunity to leave a generational blessing that will outlive them.
Key points
- Mothers often feel overwhelmed and inadequate, but God's grace fills their gaps, and His approval is not based on performance.
- A spiritual awakening in the UK is attributed to a movement of fervent, persistent prayer.
- Our most powerful influence on our children and loved ones comes through our consistent prayers for them.
- God invites all believers to be intercessors, a 'royal priesthood' who stand in the gap for others.
- The Hebrew word 'paga' for intercession conveys a persistent, confrontational supplication, a 'standing in the breach' between God's mercy and human need.
- Historical examples like Monica's 31 years of prayer for St. Augustine demonstrate the long-term impact of persevering prayer.
- God calls us to pray for a bold vision for our children's lives, not just safety, and to leave a legacy of faith for future generations.
In Rick Warren's words
“My grace has always and will fill your gaps. You did and are doing better than you think. My approval has never been based on your performance, and I delight over you even when you don't feel delightful.”
“Your greatest influence on them is not what you can say to your child, but what you will say to God about your child.”
“Desperate moments cannot be met with casual prayer.”
Outline
- I. Introduction: The Profound Influence and Inadequacy of Motherhood
- A. Moms' disproportionate impact and multi-tasking abilities
- B. Feelings of inadequacy, frustration, and regret
- C. A husband's comforting message of grace and God's delight
- D. Prayer of blessing over mothers
- II. A Global Stirring: Spiritual Awakening in the UK
- A. Historical spiritual hardness turning to openness
- B. The 'rise of the search for the savior' among younger generations
- C. Fervent, all-night prayer gatherings at the movement's center
- III. The Power of Persistent Prayer: Our Strongest Influence
- A. Preaching a word on persevering prayer, especially in the home
- B. Prayer as the most powerful tool for influencing children's lives
- C. God's invitation to be an intercessor: Standing in the gap
- IV. Understanding Intercession: A Royal Priesthood and 'Paga' Prayer
- A. 1 Peter 2:9: We are a 'royal priesthood'
- B. Joel 2:17: The priest weeping between the portico and the altar
- C. The Hebrew word 'paga': To meet, confront, and make aggressive supplication
- D. Standing in the breach between God's mercy and mankind's need
- V. Examples and the Call to Persevere
- A. Charles Finny weeping and groaning for his children
- B. Monica's 31 years of persistent prayer for St. Augustine
- C. The promise of a harvest for not growing weary (Galatians 6:9)
- D. Praying for God's vision for children, beyond mere safety, to make them 'dangerous' for God's kingdom
- E. Leaving a generational blessing and legacy of faith (Great-great-granddaddy Burns' story)
- VI. Conclusion: Re-engaging in Desperate Prayer
- A. Desperate moments require desperate, not casual, prayer
- B. Repenting for prayerlessness and asking God to teach us to pray
- C. Call to stand and commit to a renewed prayer life for loved ones and future generations
Scripture references
- First Peter chapter 2:9
- Joel chapter 2:17
- Genesis 32
- Joshua 2
- 2 Kings 14
- Jeremiah 7
- Isaiah 59
- Galatians 6:9
1 And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him.
2 And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God’s host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim.
1 And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot’s house, named Rahab, and lodged there.
2 And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, Behold, there came men in hither to night of the children of Israel to search out the country.
1 In the second year of Joash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel reigned Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah.
2 He was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem.
1 The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying,
2 Stand in the gate of the Lord’s house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the Lord, all ye of Judah, that enter in at these gates to worship the Lord.
1 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:
2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Insights
God's grace always fills the gaps in our own striving.
Our deepest influence on loved ones comes through what we say to God about them.
Being a royal priesthood means standing in the gap for others.
Questions & answers
What is the sermon's main message for parents?
The sermon's main message for parents is that their most powerful influence on their children's lives comes through their consistent and persistent prayers, rather than solely through their words or efforts.
How does the sermon define an intercessor?
An intercessor is defined as someone who stands before God on behalf of another person who either cannot or will not come to God themselves, acting as a link between that person and God.
What is the significance of the Hebrew word 'paga' in the sermon?
The Hebrew word 'paga' is presented as the Old Testament word for intercession, conveying a persistent, aggressive, and confrontational kind of supplication. It implies standing in the breach between God's mercy and mankind's need, refusing to let go until they converge.
What examples are given for the power of persistent prayer?
The sermon shares the story of Monica, St. Augustine's mother, who prayed for her son for 31 years until he surrendered his life to God. It also mentions Charles Finny, who wept openly for his children, inspiring other parents to cry out for theirs.
What kind of prayers does the sermon encourage parents to pray?
Parents are encouraged to pray for a fresh vision for their children's lives, asking God to make them 'dangerous' for His kingdom, to stir in them a hunger for Him, and to bestow a generational blessing that outlives the parents.
What is the 'legacy of faith' discussed in the sermon?
The legacy of faith refers to a spiritual inheritance passed down through generations, established by the persistent prayers of a family member. The preacher shares her own family's six-generation legacy started by her great-great-grandfather's prayers.
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