Lesson 11 — Ninth Encounter: The Mountain of Persistence

Foundational Scripture
Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back. So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it.—  Philippians 3:13-16 (MSG)

“Persistence” Defined:
“To be obstinately _________________ or tenacious in an activity. To pursue a __________ no matter the __________________ until completion.”

Timeless Insights
“There is no power like that of prevailing prayer. It turns ordinary mortals into men of power.” — Samuel Chadwick

Two Considerations in Conquering the Mountain of Persistence

• Models of Persistence
• Modes of Persistence

Models of Persistence

“Model” Defined:
“Something or someone that serves as a _______________ or example; a description used to help visualize a _______________ or thing.”

Timeless Insights
“From one end of the Bible to the other, we find the record of people whose prayers have been answered—people who turned the tide of history by prayer, men who prayed fervently and whom God answered.” — Billy Graham

Example One: The ______________ Model

Scripture:
As they ran from the People of Israel… God pitched huge stones on them out of the sky and many died. More died from the hailstones than the People of Israel killed with the sword. The day God gave the Amorites up to Israel, Joshua spoke to God, with all Israel listening: “Stop, Sun, over Gibeon; Halt, Moon, over Aijalon Valley.” And Sun stopped, Moon stood stock still Until he defeated his enemies. (You can find this written in the Book of Jashar.) The sun stopped in its tracks in mid sky; just sat there all day. There’s never been a day like that before or since—God took orders from a human voice! Truly, God fought for Israel. — Joshua 10:11-14 (MSG)

Example Two: The ______________ Model

Scripture:
In the third year of the reign of King Cyrus of Persia, Daniel (also known as Belteshazzar) had another vision.

When this vision came to me, I, Daniel, had been in mourning for three whole weeks. All that time I had eaten no rich food. No meat or wine crossed my lips, and I used no fragrant lotions until those three weeks had passed… So I was left there all alone to see this amazing vision. My strength left me… Then I heard the man speak, and when I heard the sound of his voice, I fainted… Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me…” — Daniel 10:1-3, 8-9, 12-13 (NLT)

Example Three: The ____________________ Model

Scripture:
In late autumn, in the month of Kislev…I was at the fortress of Susa. Hanani, one of my brothers, came to visit me with some other men who had just arrived from Judah. I asked them about the Jews who had returned there from captivity and about how things were going in Jerusalem. They said to me, “Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.” When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven. Then I said, “O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps his covenant of unfailing love with those who love him and obey his commands, listen to my prayer! Look down and see me praying night and day for your people Israel. I confess that we have sinned against you. Yes, even my own family and I have sinned!” — Nehemiah 1:1-6 (NLT)

Example Four: The ___________ Model

Scripture:
Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age… and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. — Luke 2:36-37 (NKJV)

Example Five: The ___________  ____________Model

Scripture:
Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church… And when Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod…” So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying. And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a girl named Rhoda came to answer. When she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her gladness she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter stood before the gate. But they said to her, “You are beside yourself!” Yet she kept insisting that it was so. So they said, “It is his angel.” Now Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished.— Acts 12:5, 11-16 (NKJV)

Modes of Persistence

Timeless Insights
“Of all the mysteries of the prayer world, the need of persevering prayer is one of the greatest… Just as the ploughman has to take his ten thousand steps, and sow his ten thousand seeds, each one a preparation for the final harvest, so there is a need-be for oft-repeated persevering prayer, all working out some desired blessing.” — Andrew Murray

“Mode” Defined:
“A functional ____________________ of something; a particular _________ or variety to a thing or __________________.”

Mode One: ___________________

“Tenacity” defined: “Persistence in maintaining, adhering to, or ______________ something valued or ______________.”

Scripture:
Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem… — Luke 9:51 (NKJV)

Mode Two: ___________________

“Audacity” defined: “Recklessly _________; intrepidly _____________.”

Scripture:
And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. — Matthew 14:26-29 (NKJV)

Mode Three: _______________________

“Consistency” defined: “Marked by ___________ continuity; free from __________________.”

Scripture:
Jesus told them a story showing that it was necessary for them to pray consistently and never quit. — Luke 18:1 (MSG)

Mode Four: ___________________

“Intensity” defined: “Existing in an extreme degree; demonstrating great _________, determination or ______________________.”

Scripture:
So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak… Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” — Genesis 32:24, 26 (NIV)

Mode Five: ______________________

“Reliability” defined: “Fit to be ____________ upon; one who won’t quit or give up under ____________.”

Scripture:
He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. — Acts 10:2 (NIV)

Ponder Points:
Discuss (or ponder) what you think the difference is between tenacity in prayer and audacity in prayer. Can you describe someone in the Bible who fits the two definitions of persistence in prayer and explain why?   

Prayer Points:
Is there something (or someone) that has long been a focus of your prayers and yet those prayers have not been answered? Based on this teaching on the Mountain of Persistence, pray for one or more qualities that you feel you need to persist in your praying for this person or need.