Youth Director Elijah Hippe delivered a compelling message on the power of prayer and the Kingdom of God. He reminded us that we are called to pray not only in times of struggle or moments of blessing, but at all times. Consistent prayer creates an open door for the Kingdom of Heaven to move in our lives. A life rooted in prayer leads to a deeper pursuit of Jesus and His Kingdom.

Matthew 7:7-8

7Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.

The question is not will God do it, but will you pray for it to happen. 

Luke 18:2-8 

2He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. 3And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ 4For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” 6And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

Revelation 5:8

“And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.”

Hopelessness will rob our prayer lives, if we let it.

We are called to be passionate intercessors, not passive observers.

2 Chronicles 7:14

“if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

Prayer does not have to long and wordy. Small moments of prayer throughout your daily routine are powerful!

Matthew 6:9-13

“Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.”

How do we pray?

  1. Acknowledging God for who He is (personal as well as Holy) 
  2. Submitting our lives and praying His power into our lives
  3. Receiving His mercy and fullness 
  4. Forgiving others
  5. Following His lead

Discussion Questions:

  1. In the parable of persistent widow (Luke 18:2-8), the widow shows relentless persistence. Jesus compares her to God’s elect who cry out to Him day and night. What does this story teach us about perseverance in prayer?
  2. Revelation describes the prayers of the saints as incense before God. How does this image affect the way you view your own prayers?
  3. What steps can we take to guard against hopelessness and stay committed to prayer in difficult times?

Application questions:

  1. We are called to be passionate intercessors instead of passive observers in prayer? What are some ways you can be more intentional in praying for others this week?