Persistent Widow Persistent Prayer
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Introduction
Introduction
Judge Judy, which premiered on September 16, 1996, longest running show of its kind and is in the Guiness Book of World Records. Highest rated daytime show in it’s genre. Still view it today. Tough lady - why do people watch? justice -
Works if learning to tie your shoes. VBS this week 40 kids -
Doesn’t mean for a child - keep bothering a parent -
key theme the last few Sundays has been God’s justice. Believe the world is fallen - fallen short of God’s glory.
See a beautiful sunset - perfect, bike ride and scenic spot after scenic spot
news headlines - shootings, accidents, drugs, wrongs, hurts, pain, suffering.
One of the things that sets Christians apart is the belief in future righteousness
A return to Garden peace. Tree of life from ,
The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
A river watering the garden flowed from Eden; from there it was separated into four headwaters. The name of the first is the Pishon; it winds through the entire land of Havilah, where there is gold.
The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.
We are waiting and longing for Jesus
Cultivate that perspective in our lives Jesus tells a story
Personal Story
Personal Story
Widow in court who drives the judge crazy
bad judge - doesn’t fear God or care about people.
judge this week who cried during victim impact statements may have to recluse herself - debate about whether that is appropriate -
woman is right but she has been denied justice.
judge finally gets rid of the woman by giving her what she is asking for.
Property dispute - inheritance dispute - Personal injury case - details are not important. Jesus wants us to see the actions and results
Lesson we need to learn about prayer.
Learning the Lessons of Prevailing Prayer
Learning the Lessons of Prevailing Prayer
Learning the Lessons of Prevailing Prayer
Learning the Lessons of Prevailing Prayer
What does prayer look like for you?
Hurried moment at a meal, been so long you don’t remember, never thought you could pray, all the time giving thanks, bring your requests
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Ask Seek Knock
How much more will our Father
Good Father not an unjust judge -
- prayers about justice
consider their threats, enable your servants to speak with great boldness, hand to heal, perform signs and wonders,
Result of their prayer - place shaken and filled with Holy Spirit.
That’s a powerful type of praying. We need people like that in our church. Reta Mason, Nora Hicks - God has called these ones home to Himself.
Men’s prayer - we need you there - 7am
Prayer meeting this fall - come Wednesdays 7pm
prayer on Wednesday night for VBS - no one came.
The school of prayer from the Psalms
Three Psalms
Repentance
Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.
Relationship
Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.
Restoration
My heart is stirred by a noble theme
as I recite my verses for the king;
my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.
You are the most excellent of men
and your lips have been anointed with grace,
since God has blessed you forever.
Gird your sword on your side, you mighty one;
clothe yourself with splendor and majesty.
In your majesty ride forth victoriously
in the cause of truth, humility and justice;
let your right hand achieve awesome deeds.
Let your sharp arrows pierce the hearts of the king’s enemies;
let the nations fall beneath your feet.
Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;
a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.
You love righteousness and hate wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions
by anointing you with the oil of joy.
Read the Psalms, pray for the things they pray for. Many are these prayers for justice for the righteous - made righteous through Christ.
A Final Caution
We are waiting for justice - home of righteousness -
- faithful managers in the interim.
Peter is confused by Jesus message here - who is this for? Aren’t we already paying attention? Challenge is for all of us - those who are far away - believe in justice and pray for justice with prevailing prayer.