Praying and Waiting for God's Timing | Tony Evans Sermon
Tony Evans・34 minutes read
Prayer is the connection between our needs and God's provision, activating what God has decreed, aligning with His will and allowing Him to fulfill His intentions. The story of Elijah highlights the power of effectual fervent prayer, showcasing the impact of a close relationship with God in hearing His will and accessing the supernatural through persistent, bold prayer.
Insights
- Prayer serves as the essential connection between our needs and God's provision, activating what He has decreed, aligning with His will, and allowing Him to fulfill what He has already intended.
- The story of Elijah showcases the transformative power of effectual fervent prayer, emphasizing that anyone can access the supernatural through a righteous, relational, and persistent prayer life, demonstrating the necessity of spiritual proximity to God for clear communication and the birthing of miracles through deep, undistracted prayer.
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Recent questions
How does prayer act as a connection to God's provision?
Prayer serves as the connection between our needs and God's provision, activating what God has decreed. It aligns our desires with God's will, allowing Him to fulfill what He has already intended. Through prayer, we access the supernatural realm and bring God's decreed provisions into the visible realm, much like a Direct TV receiver grabs programs from satellites. It is not about making God act but about aligning ourselves with His will to receive what He has already planned for us.
What can we learn from Elijah's story about the power of prayer?
Elijah's story illustrates the impact of fervent prayer in changing circumstances by aligning with God's Word. His example shows that effectual fervent prayer can accomplish much, influencing heaven to open or close blessings. Elijah, a mere man like us, demonstrated that anyone can access the supernatural through righteous, persistent prayer. His story emphasizes the importance of living a righteous lifestyle, being close to God, and persisting in prayer even when the answer is not immediate.
Why is it important to have a relational approach to prayer?
Prayer should be relational, not ritualistic, to enable effective communication with God. By fostering a relationship with God through prayer, we allow His Spirit to effectively communicate His will to us. Just as proximity to God affects what we hear from Him, maintaining a close relationship with Him is crucial for understanding His will and receiving guidance through prayer.
What does Elijah's posture during prayer symbolize?
Elijah's posture of crouching down with his head between his knees symbolizes labor in prayer, signifying the birthing of a miracle through deep, focused communication with God. This posture highlights the need for an undistracted environment for prayer and the concentrated effort required for supernatural requests. It showcases the importance of persistence and focus in prayer, even when the answer is not immediately visible.
How does persistence in prayer lead to the fulfillment of requests?
Persistence in prayer is vital for the fulfillment of requests, as seen when Elijah's servant went back seven times before seeing a small cloud, indicating God's response. Expectant prayer, even for small signs, prepares us for the fulfillment of our prayers. Just like a down payment serves as a sign that the rest is on its way, persistence in prayer encourages us to keep going and trust in the process until we see the manifestation of God's provision.
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Summary
00:00
"Power of Prayer: Accessing God's Provision"
- Electricity powers our homes through wired connections, enabling the use of various appliances and lights.
- To access the benefits of electricity, a point of contact, like a light switch, is necessary to activate the provision.
- Similarly, to experience God's power and supernatural provision, a point of contact through prayer is essential.
- Prayer serves as the connection between our needs and God's provision, activating what God has decreed.
- God's will, established through prayer, releases what He intends to do, awaiting our call for it to be dispensed.
- Prayer does not make God act but allows Him to fulfill what He has already decreed, aligning with His will.
- Just as a Direct TV receiver grabs programs from satellites, prayer grabs God's decreed provisions into the visible realm.
- Elijah's story illustrates the power of prayer, showing how it can change circumstances by aligning with God's Word.
- Effectual fervent prayer, as exemplified by Elijah, can accomplish much, influencing heaven to open or close blessings.
- Elijah, a mere man like us, demonstrated the impact of prayer, emphasizing that anyone can access the supernatural through fervent, righteous prayer.
20:50
"Proximity to God enhances hearing His voice"
- Elijah hears the sound of a storm, though the sky is clear and there are no clouds, showing proximity to God affects what one hears.
- Proximity to God determines one's ability to hear His will; distant relationships hinder hearing God's voice.
- Ahab, unlike Elijah, couldn't hear God's will due to spiritual distance, emphasizing the importance of closeness to God.
- Elijah's righteous lifestyle allowed him to hear God's voice clearly, showcasing the necessity of living to please God for spiritual clarity.
- Prayer should be relational, not ritualistic, to enable God's Spirit to communicate His will effectively.
- Elijah separates himself on Mount Carmel to pray for rain, highlighting the need for an undistracted environment for deep prayer.
- Elijah's posture of crouching down with his head between his knees symbolizes labor, signifying the birthing of a miracle through deep prayer.
- Laboring in prayer is crucial for supernatural requests, requiring a concentrated effort and focus on communicating with God.
- Persistence in prayer, even when no immediate answer is seen, is vital, as seen when Elijah's servant goes back seven times before seeing a small cloud.
- Expectant prayer, even for small signs like a tiny cloud, is essential, as it indicates God's response and prepares for the fulfillment of the prayer.
40:20
"Miraculous Split: Power of Bold Prayer"
- A down payment is given as a sign that the rest of the payment is on its way, serving as encouragement to keep going and trusting in the process.
- Elijah, outrunning a chariot for 15 miles, exemplifies supernatural strength from the Lord, emphasizing waiting on God for renewed strength and perseverance.
- A prayer by Linda during an evangelistic crusade in Columbia, South Carolina, commanded the rain to stop, resulting in a miraculous split of the rain around the stadium, showcasing the power of fervent prayer.
- The ministers initially prayed for the rain to hold off, but Linda's bold prayer directly commanded the weather, leading to a visible split of the rain around the stadium.
- Linda's unwavering faith and bold prayer during the crusade demonstrated the potential for miracles in one's life through righteousness, prayer, and perseverance, akin to the biblical account of Elijah's supernatural strength.
