#491: "Don't Stop Praying" by Matthew West

CLICK HERE for the episode guide to help you connect with Scripture through this song.

I need the reminder. I need the nudge. I get discouraged and feel the temptation to stop asking God for his __________________ (you fill in the blank). Matthew West exhorts us toward something the Bible says: "Don't Stop Praying." On a good day, I'll agree. On a bad day, I may whine, "Why should I?"

That is the question we'll seek guidance from God's Word to answer.

In this episode, I discuss the following:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture – this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: 
  • Consult an outside resource
  • Read in context
  • Meditate on Scripture
  • Read the text out loud
  • Make observations
  • Study from various translations
  • Pray Scripture
• Episode Guide
• "Esther" at Sight and Sounds Theater in Branson - Website Link
• An outside resource on prayer that changed my prayer life - "How to Pray" by R.A. Torrey - Amazon Paid Link
• Training yourself NOT to skip over Scripture in Christian Literature
• Verses that scream, "Don't stop praying!" 
  • Ephesians 6:18
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - see Episode 488 for more on this section of Scripture
• Examining the "alls" in Ephesians 6:18
• From R.A. Torrey's book "How to Pray," why should you be in constant, persistent, sleepless, overcoming prayer? 
  • Because there is an enemy - Ephesians 6:12-13, Ephesians 6:18
  • Because prayer is God's way for us to obtain things from Him - James 4:2-3
  • Because the apostles modeled it as important - Acts 6:4, Romans 1:9, Ephesians 1:15-16, Colossians 1:9, 1 Thessalonians 3:10, 2 Timothy 1:3
  • Because prayer was important to Jesus when he walked this earth - Mark 1:35, Luke 6:12
  • Because prayer is the most important part of Jesus' current ministry - Hebrews 7:25, Romans 8:34
  • Because prayer is God's means appointed for our receiving mercy and obtaining grace - Hebrews 4:14-16
• Interceding for others by praying Scripture over them (try Colossians 1:9-12)

Additional Resources

• Lyrics - NewReleaseToday.com
• Prayer Hold Power - KLove Article
• "How to Pray" by R.A. Torrey - Amazon Paid Link
• My favorite Bible Study Software - Logos Bible Software Affiliate Link

This Week's Challenge

Meditate on our focus verse, Ephesians 6:18, and study it in context to guide you to examine constant, persistent, sleepless, overcoming prayer throughout Scripture. Then, pick up the Episode Guide to walk you through six reasons for constant prayer

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