The Fast | Week 2 | Have You Prayed About It? | Jentezen Franklin

Sunday, January 12

Scriptures

Psalms 109, 1 Thessalonians 5:15-18, Luke 11:9-10, James 5:16, 2 Kings 19, 2 Chronicles 20

Introduction

Life's crises often hit us unexpectedly, leaving us frustrated, confused, and sometimes feeling helpless. Yet, as believers, we are called to respond differently—not by defaulting to frustration, but by making prayer our first response. Pastor Jentezen Franklin’s message reminds us that while life's challenges are inevitable—97% of the time, problems will arise—prayer offers us a divine anchor. When we shift our focus from what others do to how we respond through prayer, we invite God’s peace and power into every situation. Prayer transforms not only our circumstances but also our hearts, enabling us to face life's troubles with hope and faith.

Reflect on the conflicts in your life - do you think they're mostly caused by others, or do you see your own actions playing a significant role? How might turning to prayer alter your perspective and equip you to handle these situations more effectively?

Key Points | Icebreaker Activity

Ask group members to consider the next five key points from Pastor Jentezen’s message and engage in a discussion about which point resonates with them the most.

Prayer is not something you do but something you are. It’s impossible to be in prayer and stay bitter or hateful. Your response to everything others do should be prayer. Don’t just be in trouble; be in prayer.
Decide what you give yourself to. Your life is determined by what you give yourself to. You can give yourself to worry and fear, or you can give yourself to prayer. But hope, joy, and comfort only come from prayer. Don’t accept the titles the world gives you but take the title of “prayer” over your life.
Prayer is where you go to deal with what was dealt to you. You will never give yourself to prayer if it’s always about everyone else. Trials and setbacks will happen, but if you want to walk in victory and have joy regardless of the trouble you face, you must give yourself to prayer. Life is going to happen. The issue is not what happens to you but how you deal with it.
Keep bitterness from out of your heart by bringing it to your knees in prayer. If it’s in your knees, it can’t get in your heart. Serve an eviction notice on the hatred and bitterness that has penetrated your heart by taking it to prayer. Offense is an event, but being offended is a choice. Refuse to give yourself to offense and give yourself to prayer instead. When you give yourself to prayer, God will take care of your enemies.
Pray about everything. If you try to figure out situations with logic or seek revenge, you will not fix them. Some issues can only be fixed with prayer. So, pray fervent prayers of thunder that are effective in their working. A miracle is in motion when you begin to pray.

From Resentment to Prayer

Pastor Jentezen pointed out that Psalm 109, known for its curses, shows that once David commits to prayer, God steps in to deal with David's enemies.

Pastor Jentezen reiterated when you cleanse yourself of all resentment and stop being angry at people, focusing instead on your relationship with God, saying, "God, I'm only worried about me; I choose prayer," you align with the spirit of Psalms 109.

David faced slander and lies with anger but responded with friendship and prayer. We should hate evil yet love all, as God does, relying on His strength to follow David's lead.

“My God, whom I praise,

do not remain silent,

for people who are wicked and deceitful

have opened their mouths against me;

they have spoken against me with lying tongues.

With words of hatred they surround me;

they attack me without cause.

In return for my friendship they accuse me,

but I am a man of prayer.” Psalm 109:1-4 (NIV)

David’s prayer changes to a call for God to judge the wicked. He wasn't seeking personal revenge; instead, he was calling upon God to act quickly in His promised judgment against the wicked. David's words paint a picture of the ultimate fate awaiting all of God's adversaries.

“Appoint someone evil to oppose my enemy;

let an accuser stand at his right hand.

When he is tried, let him be found guilty,

and may his prayers condemn him.” Psalm 109:6-7 (NIV)

We as believers have to remember that God says, "Vengeance is mine," and we shouldn't wish harm on anyone; we should pray and let God handle it.

Remember Jehoshaphat, who fasted and prayed when surrounded by enemies, and God fought their battle. The victory was so complete that gathering the spoils took longer than the fast itself.

How can we shift from personal anger and resentment towards others to focusing on prayer?

Briefly, what lessons have you learned about trusting God with your conflicts?

Embracing Joy, Prayer, and Gratitude

Pastor Franklin said perfectly, “Prayer is where we deal with what life deals us.” He also said, “Don’t let offense go to your head; take it to your knees.” We cannot rejoice and show the world our joy if we carry the burden of offense, sorrow, and fear in our hearts and minds:

I Thessalonians 5:15-18 “See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing; in everything, give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (NKJV)

Simply put, Christian living calls believers to be kind, not sin against each other, and to set our goals on honorable, good things that will benefit us and all people.

Rejoice always. Rejoice means to express immense joy or delight continuously. Celebrate your own provisions and blessings, and instead of envying those of others. We even teach children at a very young age to say thank you for any treats, gifts, and kindness shown to them.
1. Discussion Question: Rejoicing in All Circumstances: How can we cultivate a habit of rejoicing even when faced with envy or personal trials? Share an experience where choosing joy over envy or sorrow impacted your life or someone else's positively.
Pray without ceasing. Praying without ceasing may sound a bit unreasonable. Yet, when you take just a moment to think about all the divine guidance and needs in this world, it is entirely reasonable to utter a prayer of hope and deliverance for others as they come to your mind.
1. The Practice of Constant Prayer: What does "pray without ceasing" mean to you in practical terms? How can we incorporate this into our daily routine, especially when we encounter moments of stress or conflict?
In everything give thanks. Even amidst personal struggles, like health issues or family discord, we are called to give thanks. This practice is not about denying the reality of our challenges but about choosing gratitude, which can transform our perspective, deepen our faith, and invite God's peace into our lives even when only 3% of life runs smoothly.
1. Gratitude in Adversity: Pastor Franklin emphasizes giving thanks in everything. Discuss a time when you found it challenging to give thanks during tough times. How did or could practicing gratitude change your approach or outlook on that situation?

Let’s commit to a life where joy, prayer, and gratitude are not just ideals, but daily practices that shape our hearts.

Dealing with Personal Offenses

In 2 Kings 19, we find King Hezekiah facing a dire situation. The Assyrian king, Sennacherib, had sent a threatening letter, taunting Hezekiah and declaring that no god could save Jerusalem from his power. He taunted:

“Do not let the god you depend on deceive you when he says, ‘Jerusalem will not be given into the hands of the king of Assyria.’ Surely you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all the countries, destroying them completely. And will you be delivered? Did the gods of the nations that were destroyed by my predecessors deliver them?” (2 Kings 19:10-12 paraphrased)

Instead of succumbing to fear or despair, Hezekiah chose to respond with prayer. He took the letter and spread it out before the Lord in the temple, demonstrating his trust in God over the intimidating threats of a powerful enemy.

By bringing the matter before God, Hezekiah acknowledged that ultimate power and authority belong to God. This is a powerful reminder that we can trust God to act on our behalf, even when circumstances seem overwhelming.

In our daily lives, we often encounter personal offenses that can lead to feelings of bitterness, hatred, or a desire for vengeance. Instead of allowing these negative emotions to take root we can:

Acknowledge our feelings of hurt or anger

Bring these emotions to God in prayer

Commit the person who has offended you to God. Pray for their well-being and for God to work in their lives.

You can’t treat the wound if you don’t know where it is. By bringing our challenges and grievances to God, we can cultivate a heart of trust, forgiveness, and peace. This act of surrender lightens our burdens and helps us to rely on God’s grace.

Hezekiah's Response: Reflect on how Hezekiah responded to Sennacherib's threats by taking the letter to God. How can we apply this model of prayer when we face personal threats or overwhelming challenges in our lives?

Dealing with Personal Offenses: When you encounter personal offenses, what steps do you take to move from feelings of bitterness to peace? How does prayer help in this process?

Surrender and Trust: How can laying our grievances before God, as Hezekiah did, help in healing our emotional wounds? Discuss a time when surrendering a situation to God changed your perspective or experience.

Thunder Prayers | The Power of Fervent Prayer

Pastor Jentezen delved into the interpretation of James 5:16, highlighting "thunder prayers" - powerful, bold prayers filled with conviction, akin to the resounding clap of thunder.

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:16 NIV

These are not just quiet, whispered prayers but declarations against the enemy, asserting that Satan has no claim over our lives, families, or blessings because we stand in covenant with God.

Reflect on a time when you've prayed fervently. How did it change your situation or perspective?

How can we incorporate "thunder prayers" into our prayer life, especially when facing significant resistance or doubt?

Discuss the balance between quiet, personal prayer and the bold, public declarations of faith, and how both can be part of our spiritual practice.

Conclusion

Prayer not only connects us with God but also transforms our responses to life's difficulties. Prayer is more than an action; it is a lifestyle that draws us closer to God and empowers us to experience His miraculous intervention.

Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 20) demonstrates the victory that comes when we prioritize prayer and fasting over panic and fear. As Pastor Franklin emphasized, prayer enables us to let go of worry, trust God with our struggles, and allow Him to fight our battles. Whether we are praying for personal needs or interceding for global issues, the power of prayer is transformative.

Together, as a community, we are encouraged to commit to prayer, rejoicing always, and giving thanks in every situation. In doing so, we align ourselves with God’s will and open the door to His blessings.

How will you allow the principles we've discussed to transform your actions and attitudes through the Lord's power this week?

Resources

YouTube

Audio Podcast

Further Study | Biblical Examples and Instructions on Prayer

Prayer is vital in the Bible, offering strength, guidance, and transformation. Here are key examples and instructions:

Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane

In Matthew 26:36-46, Jesus’ prayer before His crucifixion shows vulnerability, surrender, and trust in God. He prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will" (Matthew 26:39). Despite the immense anguish, Jesus returned to prayer multiple times. His example reminds us to seek God’s strength and align with His will, even when the path is difficult.

Elijah's Prayers in 1 Kings 17-18

Elijah’s prayers in 1 Kings 17-18 are prime examples: through prayer, he stopped the rain for three years and later prayed again to bring it back. These instances show how fervent prayer, rooted in faith and righteousness, can bring about miraculous results. It also emphasizes the importance of being steadfast and trusting in God’s timing.

2 Chronicles 20 - Jehoshaphat's Response

This chapter describes Jehoshaphat's call to a fast for three days when faced with overwhelming enemies. This is a clear biblical example of fasting linked to prayer for divine deliverance.

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