A New Beginning
A New Focus
January 2, 2022
Pastor Mike Rippy
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’4“For some time he refused. But finally, he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’”6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8I tell you; he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:1-8
✓ Prayer is powerful when we understand God.
• Understanding God’s goodness is connected to our willingness to ask him for what we need.
1. He is gracious and kind.
And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. Exodus 34:6
2. God is like a GOOD Father, compassionate and merciful.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
3. When we think God isn’t good or is less good than he really is, it impacts what we ask of him.
✓ Prayer is powerful when we understand persistence.
• It was not the strength of her case, but the
consistency of her inquiries.
• Why does God want me to pray persistently?
➢ It keeps my Attention focused on God.
“My eyes are continually looking to the Lord for help, for he alone can rescue me from all the traps.” Psalm 25:15
“Look to the Lord and his strength; Seek his face constantly.” Ps 105:4 ➢ Having to wait teaches me about Myself.
“I will TEST and PURIFY them as silver is purified by fire. I will test them as gold is tested. Then they will pray to me, and I will answer them.” Zechariah 13:9a (TEV)
• It’s all about NOT giving up when you pray.
Keep praying and praying until you get an
answer.
✓ Prayer is powerful when we understand our position.
• How you view yourself determines what you ask for.
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrew 4:16
Week OF PRAYER – January 2 - 8, 2022
Prayer services – Monday-Friday 6:00 a.m. - Saturday 8:00 a.m.
All prayer services are livestreamed www.evangelchurch.me – Facebook – YOUTUBE
MY NEXT STEP:
➢ Begin a relationship with Jesus today.
➢ Join us in Prayer in-person or online this week. ➢ Attend Next Steps next Sunday.
➢ Have a wonderful and blessed New Year!