Pray Persistently - Matthew 15:21-28 and Luke 18:1-8 - February 8, 2009

Sunday School Lesson – Pray Persistently – February 8, 2009

This is lesson two (2) in our series entitled “How to Pray With Power.”

Our scripture is Matthew 15:21-28; Luke 18:1-8.

If we focus on the titles of these studies, believers can get the impression that there are ways we can manipulate GOD to get what we ask for. Then when we try all the methods we know and they fail, we become discouraged with GOD. We must keep in mind that prayer is communicating with GOD and communication is both speaking and listening. Understanding what has been communicated is part of responding to what has been communicated.

Our scripture in today’s study could give some believers the idea that repetition is the way to get GOD to grant their requests. I contend that when GOD is delaying, there is a good reason. Persistence shows that our request is important to us and allows us to reexamine the request and the basis for our request each time we ask. Is there anything that is in our lives that needs to be changed or confessed that may be hindering a response from GOD – un-confessed sin, bad attitude, selfish, vindictive and many other issues? There may be some things in our lives that need to be worked upon first. It may be that GOD has HIS own plan and timing to deal with your request.

I remember the time I was looking for a business for my son to go into. I responded to an ad in the newspaper. No response. I responded a second time. No response. Yet the ad continued to be in the newspaper. My thought, “Satan is trying to block this.” So I go to the newspaper office and talk to the lady at the desk. She said, “Oh I know these people and I will get your interest in their business to them.” BIG MISTAKE!!! Looking back, yes, I was praying for the right business opportunity and GOD was blocking the business I was going after. But I took matters into my own hands and it was not a good business venture.

Let’s read Matthew 15:21-28:

A Gentile Mother’s Faith

21 When Jesus left there, He withdrew to the area of Tyre and Sidon. 22 Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came and kept crying out,[13] Other mss read and cried out to Him “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is cruelly tormented by a demon.” 23 Yet He did not say a word to her. So His disciples approached Him and urged Him, “Send her away because she cries out after us.”[14] Lit she is yelling behind us or after us 24 He replied, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 But she came, knelt before Him, and said, “Lord, help me!” 26 He answered, “It isn’t right to take the children’s bread and throw it to their dogs.” 27 “Yes, Lord,” she said, “yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table!” 28 Then Jesus replied to her, “Woman, your faith is great. Let it be done for you as you want.” And from that moment[15] Lit hour her daughter was cured.

JESUS enters Gentile territory. As we read this account of JESUS and the Gentile woman it seems that JESUS is being very rude and ignores this lady. She has a real concern for her daughter and she seeks help from JESUS. It is important that she was identified as a “Canaanite” because as a class of people, Jews despised Canaanites.

There are several things at work in this account. (1) The woman is a Gentile, in particular a “Canaanite.” This is her country and JESUS is a visitor. Was she seeking help for her daughter to test JESUS and HIS ability or did she truly recognize HIM as the Messiah? (2) The attitude of HIS disciples. Was JESUS attempting to let HIS disciples reveal their hearts, prejudice or attitude? (3) JESUS never said or did anything unless the FATHER permitted HIM to do it. Was this a test for JESUS to be obedient and wait for the moment to respond according to the will of the FATHER?

We do not know but these questions give us some things to ponder:

The Jews in general were prejudiced against Gentiles and referred to them as dogs, household pets. Do we harbor prejudice in our hearts against others of a different race, lower socio-economic background, different educational background and the list goes on?

Do we wait upon the LORD to guide us or do we take matters into our own hands. Just as JESUS may have waited upon the right moment to respond, there may be times when we also need to wait upon the LORD.

We see from the scripture this lady was persistent and she was sincere in her request. She acknowledged JESUS as LORD when she used the term “Son of David.” This was a term for the promised “Messiah.” Had she heard the gospel being preached and made a profession of faith in CHRIST as her SAVIOR or had she heard the term and was repeating it? Did JESUS use this situation to test the genuineness of her faith?

The disciples wanted to send her away, which appears harsh except for the fact that the word used for “send” carried the idea of giving her what she wanted and then she would leave. Was JESUS using this as a teaching moment to reveal the true heart of his disciples and the true heart of this Gentile woman?

JESUS’ first spoken words to the woman are that HE was sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. The word used for “sent” was related to HIS mission. HE was sent by GOD, HIS FATHER. The woman shows her faith and confidence in HIM by kneeling before HIM in an attitude of worship.

When GOD seemingly rejects our request, how do we respond? Do we sulk and rail against GOD? Do we worship HIM regardless of HIS response?

The woman responded with worship and confidence that HE could help her. JESUS responded with a statement, “It isn’t right to take the children’s bread and throw it to their dogs.” The woman’s response indicated that she understood what HE was saying but she was not discouraged. She picked up on HIS statement comparing Gentiles to dogs and responded that even a household pet could benefit from the crumbs that fell from the masters table to the floor. JESUS knew the woman’s faith was founded in HIM and not hype or here say.

HIS disciples were watching and listening to this dialogue. We know from the scripture that they wanted JESUS to help her so she would leave. JESUS knew the depth of the woman’s faith but HIS disciples needed to see the depth of her faith. In particular, they needed to see the depth of a despised Canaanite woman’s faith. JESUS said let it be done “as you want.” Her faith was founded in HIM and the daughter was healed as we learn from Mark 7:30. This confirmed her faith in JESUS. She knew what she had been told or heard about JESUS was true. HE is the promised Messiah.

Mark 7:30:

30 When she went back to her home, she found her child lying on the bed, and the demon was gone.

Let’s read Luke 18:1-5:

The Parable of the Persistent Widow

1 He then told them a parable on the need for them to pray always and not become discouraged: 2 “There was a judge in one town who didn’t fear God or respect man. 3 And a widow in that town kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ 4 “For a while he was unwilling, but later he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or respect man, 5 yet because this widow keeps pestering me,[1] Lit widow causes me trouble I will give her justice, so she doesn’t wear me out[2] Or doesn’t give me a black eye, or doesn’t ruin my reputation by her persistent coming.’ ”
6 Then the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 Will not God grant justice to His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He delay [to help]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. them?[3] Or Will He put up with them? 8 I tell you that He will swiftly grant them justice. Nevertheless, when the • Son of Man comes, will He find that faith[4] Or faith, or that kind of faith, or any faith, or the faith, or faithfulness; the faith that persists in prayer for God’s vindication on earth?”

JESUS was teaching HIS disciples about persistent praying during times of discouragement. JESUS knew a time was fast approaching when they would be discouraged. HE told them a parable which is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.

In JESUS’ day widows were vulnerable to judges and people with power. The judge in this story does not respect GOD or man. He could not be influenced. She needed for him to make a decision in her behalf. He ignored her but she was persistent. As a result of her persistence, the judge ruled in her favor.

The point being, if an earthly judge who could not be influenced was influenced by the widow’s persistence, how much more will GOD listen to your requests and give you a response. Here we have to be careful. Persistence in prayer is praying as you journey through life. Pray about all things and continue to pray even when it seems your prayers are not being answered.

There may be a reason your prayers are not being answered. You may need to grow or there are other dynamics at work to being about the desired result.
Why is there a delay when we pray? The Book of Daniel gives us a clue.

Daniel 10:10-14:

Angelic Conflict – Daniel had prayed but there was a delay.

10 Suddenly, a hand touched me and raised me to my hands and knees. 11 He said to me, “Daniel, you are a man treasured [by God]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. .[11] Dn 9:23; 10:19 Understand the words that I’m saying to you. Stand on your feet,[12] Dn 8:18 for I have now been sent to you.” After he said this to me, I stood trembling. 12 “Don’t be afraid, Daniel,” he said to me, “for from the first day that you purposed to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your prayers were heard. I have come because of your prayers.[13] Dn 9:23 13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for 21 days. Then Michael,[14] Dn 12:1; Jd 9; Rv 12:7 one of the chief princes, came to help me after I had been left there with the kings of Persia.[15] Dn 7:17; 8:21 14 Now I have come to help you understand what will happen to your people in the last days,[16] Dn 2:28 for the vision refers to those days.”

We live in a world that is also surrounded by a spirit world. Paul tells us about it in
Ephesians 6:10-13:

10 Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics[10] Or schemes, or tricks of the Devil. 12 For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.[11] Eph 1:3,20; 2:6; 3:10 13 This is why you must take up the full armor[12] 1 Th 5:8 of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand.

This is a good reason to stay in an attitude of prayer. We belong to GOD. We are HIS children. Our citizenship is heaven not earth thus we live in enemy territory. Prayer will sustain us as we journey through this earthly life. There will be times we will be discouraged but JESUS tells us to PRAY. Be persistent in prayer. Not with vain repetition but in confidence that GOD hears us and will respond and come to our aid. Persistent prayer keeps our minds and hearts focused upon HIM. HE is the only hope, strength, power and protection we have. Do not give up on HIM.

JESUS ended the parable by asking a question. Will believers be found steadfast, faithful and persistent in prayer when HE returns? That question is as important today as it was the day JESUS uttered these words.

Our world is in a mess. It is vital that all believers pray during these times.

Another consideration for persistent prayer is fasting.

Let’s read Matthew 17:

A Boy is healed

14 And when they had come to the multitude, a man came to Him, kneeling down to Him and saying, 15 "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. 16 "So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him." 17 Then Jesus answered and said, "O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me." 18 And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour. 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not cast it out?" 20 So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. 21 "However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting."

Before JESUS began HIS earthly ministry we see in Matthew 4:1-2 that JESUS was led into the wilderness and HE fasted:

1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil. 2 After He had fasted 40 days and 40 nights, He was hungry.

JESUS fasted to prepare HIM for HIS ministry. After fasting HE was tempted and tested. JESUS was led by the Spirit.

Fasting, in my opinion, is persistence, a time to focus, communicate, seek, prepare, trust, expect, hope and listen. We have to be careful not to fast for the purpose of manipulating GOD but fast and pray out of earnestly seeking GOD’S will, intervention and help. Often GOD leads believers to fast and pray. I personally believe GOD will most often lead believers to fast as they seek a solution versus believers deciding to use fasting as a method to approach GOD. Believers often want the easy way or a formula to guarantee success. So we like certain steps to take when we pray to ensure that our prayers are being heard and GOD will grant what we want. We must keep in mind it is all about our heart.

Believers may decide to devote themselves to fasting and prayer to fellowship with GOD and to seek HIS guidance. We do not fast to force a solution but fasting helps believers to focus upon GOD WHO is the solution. Fasting can be a time of self examination prompted by the HOLY SPIRIT to identify any un-confessed sin, wrong motive, wrong purpose, wrong attitude or any barrier hindering a believer’s prayer or relationship with the FATHER. We may need to pray to determine how GOD wants us to pray.

I am reminded of a missionary friend who was ill from a kidney problem. She was in the hospital in a foreign land. She asked a local pastor to pray for her. He said he would ask the church to pray for her. He came back to her and said the LORD had instructed the church to fast and pray for her. They did and she was healed.

When the church fasted they consumed a little orange juice that day. The point to fasting is not the denial of food or drink but it is the intensity and devotion to the petition to GOD such that food or drink is not as important or a concern. Diabetics and other disorders may dictate that a believer needs to consume food and drink. Again the point of fasting is that the situation for prayer is dire and a believer is coming to GOD with such focus of purpose that food and drink becomes secondary. It is not to manipulate GOD. It is all about the heart regarding a situation. It does not mean that a believer will get the answer he or she is requesting.

I am reminded of King David when he committed adultery with Bathsheba and she conceived a child. The baby was born but the baby became ill. David fasted and prayed. The baby died. Just because we fast and pray does not guarantee that GOD will grant our request. But when HIS response is clear, then we know we have done all we could do. When the baby died, David knew he had done all he could but was prepared to accept GOD’S will and purpose in the matter. 2 Samuel captured this event in David and Bathsheba’s lives.

2 Samuel 12:15-23:

The Death of Bathsheba’s Son

The Lord struck the baby that Uriah’s wife had borne to David, and he became ill. 16 David pleaded with God for the boy. He fasted, went [home]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. , and spent the night lying on the ground. 17 The elders of his house stood beside him to get him up from the ground, but he was unwilling and would not eat anything with them. 18 On the seventh day the baby died. But David’s servants were afraid to tell him the baby was dead. They said, “Look, while the baby was alive, we spoke to him, and he wouldn’t listen to us. So how can we tell him the baby is dead? He may do something desperate.” 19 When David saw that his servants were whispering to each other, he guessed that the baby was dead. So he asked his servants, “Is the baby dead?” “He is dead,” they replied. 20 Then David got up from the ground. He washed, anointed himself, changed his clothes, went to the Lord’s house, and worshiped. Then he went home and requested [something to eat]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. . So they served him food, and he ate. 21 His servants asked him, “What did you just do? While the baby was alive, you fasted and wept, but when he died, you got up and ate food.” 22 He answered, “While the baby was alive, I fasted and wept because I thought, ‘Who knows? The Lord may be gracious to me and let him live.’ 23 But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I’ll go to him, but he will never return to me.”

The Bible tells us in Romans 8:26-27 when we do not know how to pray the HOLY SPIRIT can come along beside us and help us to pray:

26 Likewise the Spirit (HOLY SPIRIT) also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Believers have the HOLY SPIRIT come along beside them when they pray to make intercession for them. There are times when we just do not know how to pray. When we pray do we really believe that GOD will answer or do we hope HE will answer? Here we also must be careful. GOD’S answer may be yes, no or wait.

In last week’s lesson we talked about being honest with GOD as foundational to our prayer life and our walk with HIM. It is all about our relationship with GOD. Do we trust HIM and have confidence in HIM? Can we accept a no answer? I do not like a no answer or even a wait answer, yet they are answers.

HIS desire is for believers to trust HIM completely and confidently, however, without the right relationship with HIM it is difficult for believers to accept the sovereignty of GOD.

FATHER I need your help to pray. Teach me to pray in confidence and power to obediently serve YOU. I am not on an ego trip to serve myself or to draw attention to me but it all about YOU and YOUR plan and YOUR purpose. Help me to build the relationship with YOU that I need to be in routine communication with YOU as I journey through life. I desire for my pray life to be as necessary and as natural to me as it is for me to breath. AMEN