The Power Of Prayer

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                                "PRAYER"

                          The Power Of Prayer

INTRODUCTION

1. Jesus anticipated that people would become slack in their prayers...
   a. Telling the parable of the persistent widow, that people might
      always pray - Lk 18:1-7
   b. Wondering if He would find faith on earth (i.e., people praying)
      when He returned - Lk 18:8

2. Paul frequently exhorted Christians to be diligent in their
   prayers...
   a. "praying always with all prayer and supplication..." - Ep 6:18
   b. "Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with
      thanksgiving" - Col 4:2
   c. "Pray without ceasing" - 1Th 5:17

[If we have become slack in our prayers, might that be an indication
that we do not appreciate "The Power Of Prayer"?  Have we forgotten what
a privilege it is to pray?  Consider then, some...]

I. EXAMPLES OF THE POWER OF PRAYER

   A. THERE IS FORGIVENESS FROM GOD...
      1. The Christian can find forgiveness through the blood of Christ
         - 1Jn 1:7-10
      2. Thus the erring Christian is told to repent and pray - Ac 8:22
      -- Don't you want the assurance of knowing that your sins are
         forgiven?

   B. THERE IS PEACE FROM GOD...
      1. The antidote to anxiety is to pray - Php 4:6
      2. The Christian will find their hearts and minds guarded by the
         peace of God - Php 4:7
      -- Don't you want the peace of mind and heart that surpasses
         understanding?

   C. THERE IS STRENGTH FROM GOD...
      1. Paul prayed that the Ephesians might be strengthened in the
         inner man - Ep 3:14-16,20
      2. When we need to be strong, Christians can likewise pray for
         themselves!
      -- Don't you want the power that is beyond our comprehension?

   D. THERE IS OPPORTUNITY FROM GOD...
      1. Paul realized that God provided him opportunity to teach others
         - 1Co 3:5 (NASB)
      2. He knew that the Lord often opened doors for such opportunities
         - 1Co 16:9; 2Co 2:12
      3. He therefore requested prayer that such opportunities would
         continue - Col 4:3
      -- Don't you want the Lord to give you opportunity to lead others
         to Christ?

   E. THERE IS BOLDNESS FROM GOD...
      1. When the apostles needed boldness, they prayed and God
         delivered - Ac 4:23-31
      2. When Paul needed boldness, he asked for prayers in his behalf
         - Ep 6:19-20
      -- Don't you want boldness when you speak to others about Christ?

   F. THERE IS WISDOM FROM GOD...
      1. Wisdom is not knowledge, but insight that makes the best use of
         the knowledge one has
      2. The Christian is promised wisdom through prayer without doubt
         - Jm 1:5-8
      -- Don't you want the wisdom that comes from above?

   G. THERE IS HEALING FROM GOD...
      1. Those who are sick should ask elders to pray for them - Jm 5:
         14-15
      2. Those who have sinned should confess, and we should pray for
         one another - Jm 5:16
      -- Don't you want the aid of God whenever in need of physical or
         spiritual healing?

   H. THERE IS TRANQUILITY FROM GOD...
      1. The Scriptures proclaim God has ultimate control over the
         nations - Dan 4:17; Ro 13:1-7
      2. Thus we are commanded to pray for our rulers, that we may lead
         a quiet (tranquil, ASV) and peaceable life - 1Ti 2:1-4
      -- Don't you want to live in peace and tranquility, and for others
         to as well?

CONCLUSION

1. The power of prayer can indeed be a blessing...
   a. To the one who prays in faith
   b. For those for whom prayers are offered

2. There is help in time of need from God...
   a. We have a wonderful High Priest who understands our problems - He
      4:14-15
   b. Thus we can at anytime approach God boldly in prayer, to obtain
      mercy and find grace to help in time of need - He 4:16
   -- Don't you want mercy and grace whenever needed, for yourself and
      for others?

3. Indeed, the effective fervent prayer of a righteous man (cf. Ja
   5:16)...
   a. "avails much" (NKJV)
   b. "can accomplish much (NASB)
   c. "has great power" (ESV)
   d. "is powerful and effective" (NIV)
   -- If such is true of one righteous man, how about the prayers of
      many righteous?

4. Do we believe in the power of prayer...?
   a. Then let us pray always
   b. Let us continue earnestly in prayer
   -- Yes, let us "pray without ceasing" (1Th 5:17)!

But not all have the privilege of "The Power Of Prayer".  In our next
study, we will see why...
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