Importunate Prayer
2001009
Subject: Prayer
Introduction:
A. Today’s lesson concludes our series of lessons on prayer. Hope series has helped your prayer life.
1. Looking for more series of lessons that can help us grow stronger in the Lord. Any suggestions? Let me know.
B. Today’s lesson title: Importunate Prayer.
1. Importunate defined as: “persistent in pursuing a request or demand” (AHD). Other ways of describing importunate: “bothersome; troublesomely urgent.”
2. Persistence – we must be constant in our prayers.
3. I have learned what it means to be importunate from observing my children:
a) Zack – importunate/persistent to being w/his mom – got to be w/her or the end of the world.
b) Em – importunate in playing games – got to do it or end of the world.
4. I believe it to be a fact: we pursuer & achieve many things in life – b/c of our persistence! It pays off!
C. Same needs to be true in our prayer life. Consider Lk. 18:1-8 – must be constant in prayer!
1. Why did the judge grant the request?
a) not b/c he a righteous man
b) but he compelled to do so – b/c it was so important to the widow.
1) 18:3 & 5 – came continually
2. Another key – the reason she persisted not only b/c it so important – but b/c she believed the judge would answer prayer – despite the delay!
a) an element of faith involved!
b) This should be the basis behind everything we do – especially in prayer!
c) Heb. 11:6; Js. 1:6-8 – if you doubt – don’t ask!
D. For the remainder of today’s lesson: going to examine cases of importunate prayer in Bible.
I. Importunate prayer is praying with great desire.
A. Lk. 11:5-9 – Note: all important matter to get food for traveler who has come to visit.
1. other guy: didn’t want to get up – troublesome for him to accommodate him.
2. Keep in mind: there was a strong reason why he should prompt relief – didn’t matter as to what time it was.
3. 11:8 – Jesus said b/c of persistence/importunity – person will give other as much as needed.
a) just like woman in Lk. 18 – involves faith that God will answer! He will do what we ask!
B. Barnes: God never promised to give blessings “at once.” He only promises He will do it.
1. can involve long wait – tries faith.
2. Barnes: He leaves them to persevere for months or years until they feel entirely their dependence upon Him; until they see that they can obtain the blessings in no other way.
3. if we really desire – we will keep praying until God grants the answer.
C. Another example: Mt. 15:21-28 (The Syrophoenician Woman)
1. 15:22 – needed serious help. But,…note action of Jesus: 15:23
a) woman probably a Greek – (Gentile speaking Greek language). Crying out for help – 15:23
b) Disciples embarrassed by her earnestness
2. 15:24 – Jesus’ answer – not sent to help her people – but the Jews.
a) not deterred by this answer – 15:25 – still came bowing down before Him.
b) She knew that Jesus ONLY one who could help her.
c) But….Christ’s answer (15:26)
1) bluntly calls her a Gentile dog – but never refuses her request.
3. 15:27 – still dos not give up – surely you must be able to help me since this is a little thing with you. Note her priorities!
a) words were NOT going to deter her!
b) DID NOT matter – wanted child to be healed!
4. 15:28 – His reply a huge compliment!
a) imagine being a disciple here – must have had a profound effect on them!
b) Woman’s faith triumphed over every difficulty & the seeming indifference of Jesus.
5. Certain example of importunate prayer.
II. Importunate prayer involves praying about vital matters.
A. Acts 9:9-11 – What Saul praying about here?
1. Sight restored? Food/water? Wonderful day he had had?
2. Certainly not! Praying for his soul!
B. Everything he had know/believed all his life just turned upside down!
1. Had the realization that his soul needed to be saved. Only thing that mattered!
2. Didn’t eat/drink for 3 days.
3. Ever prayed about something so vital that nothing else mattered?
III. Importunate Prayer is Time Consuming.
A. Acts 6:2-4 – Apostles devoted themselves to regular prayer – which made them unavailable to perform other tasks.
1. got others to do these tasks.
2. bottom line: this kind of prayer takes a lot of time.
B. Lk. 6:12 – Jesus prayed all night b/f the choosing of the 12.
1. important step in life of Christ. About to take on men who would carry gospel to world.
2. Frank Cox: every great undertaking in our lives should be preceded by a season of solitude and prayer. This will assure us of God’s presence and power in our undertaking.
3. What did He pray for all night? This went passed generalities!
a) ever prayed all night? Don’t know if I have….
b) But have stayed up all night when pressing need coming – something important enough – we will do it!
IV. Importunate Prayer involves labor on our part.
A. 1 Thess 3:10 – note description of frequency & way prayer made.
1. night/day; praying most urgently.
2. consumed what he was doing; gave thought to it often!
B. Col. 4:12 – Epaphras’ prayer – said he labored earnestly in prayer for Colossians.
1. Literally: to strive; wrestle; to struggle
2. Thayer: to endeavor with strenuous zeal; to obtain something.
3. 100% work; gut wrenching/ compare to child birth.
V. Case Studies in Importunate Prayer:
A. Acts 12:1-19 – Peter’s escape from Herod. Summarize 12:1-4
1. Reaction of brethren – 12:5, 12
a) constant/persistent prayer being offered.
b) 12:6, 12 – even on night before execution. Didn’t give up despite delay.
2. Note: Prayer personal in nature – not generic.
a) specifically for Peter – that he might be released!
b) Note: done by entire church – 12:5
3. Could we suppose – more people involved in prayer – the more likely it will be answered?
a) more engaging in prayer – more likely it to be a righteous request.
b) More of us hammering gates of heaven!
c) Convinced this works! Examples here:
1) health – members who have been sick.
2) Working together here
3) Evangelistic efforts
4) Pray specifically more often for these!
4. Heard illustration: raise ships w/Ping-Pong balls.
a) cumulative weightlessness of Ping-Pong balls causes ships to rise.
b) many working together – success!
5. 12:12 – still praying very night b/f execution!
a) didn’t give up!
b) God’s delays are not God’s denials!
6. 12:13 – Rhoda – reaction to answered prayer!
a) keep in mind – peter out of jail illegally.
b) 12:15 – disciples: it = his angel. Seems that they prepared for worst.
B. Elijah: 1 Kings 18:36-46
1. Prays for rain after Mt. Carmel victory. Servant goes back 7 times. Little cloud. Rain comes b/f they get back to Jezreel!
2. What happened if quit after 5th time?
3. Kept praying b/c he believed God would answer!
a) we must do the same! Js. 5:16-18 – Elijah a man just like us!
b) When we pray – we can secure a great blessing.
C. Jacob: Gen. 32 – returning to Canaan.
1. 32:6 – Esau coming w/400 men to meet Jacob
a) commentators: this was a standing army. A war party. Was prepared to assume a hostile attitude if the circumstances favored it.
b) Not a welcome party!
2. Jacob’s reaction 32:7 – divides possessions on each side of river.
3. 32:9-12 – prayer – specific in nature – importunate!
4. 32:24-32 – wrestles w/an angel – 26 wrestles to obtain blessing from God. Kept on even though angel wounded socket in his thigh.
5. Bottom line: didn’t want to die – wanted bro to turn from anger.
a) was not important – was importunate!
b) Prayed/wrestled till he got what he needed!
6. Remember Syrophonecian woman?
D. Paul: Rom. 1:8-10
1. Acts 28:16-28 – he got to Rome – God gave him what he wanted – but he went there in chains.
2. Be careful what you pray for – you just might get it.
Conclusion:
A. When we talk about importunate prayer – talking about persistent prayer to meet a need.
1. how bad do we want it?
2. Are you willing to pray for weeks, months, years?
B. God will answer prayer – proven in Bible characters!
C. Hope we can pray about these matters! Convinced: why some of our prayers not answered – b/c we give up too soon!
1. may not matter that much to us.
D. Finally: how bad do you want to be saved?
1. Willing to give up everything?
2. Share your needs with us!
E. I N V I T A T I O N
