"PRAYER"
The Power Of Prayer
INTRODUCTION
- Jesus anticipated that people would become slack in their prayers...
- Telling the parable of the persistent widow, that people might
always pray - Lk 18:1-7
- Wondering if He would find faith on earth (i.e., people praying)
when He returned - Lk 18:8
- Paul frequently exhorted Christians to be diligent in their
prayers...
- "praying always with all prayer and supplication..." - Ep 6:18
- "Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with
thanksgiving" - Col 4:2
- "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...]
- EXAMPLES OF THE POWER OF PRAYER
- THERE IS FORGIVENESS FROM GOD...
- The Christian can find forgiveness through the blood of Christ
- 1Jn 1:7-10
- 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?
- THERE IS PEACE FROM GOD...
- The antidote to anxiety is to pray - Php 4:6
- 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?
- THERE IS STRENGTH FROM GOD...
- Paul prayed that the Ephesians might be strengthened in the
inner man - Ep 3:14-16,20
- When we need to be strong, Christians can likewise pray for
themselves!
-- Don't you want the power that is beyond our comprehension?
- THERE IS OPPORTUNITY FROM GOD...
- Paul realized that God provided him opportunity to teach others
- 1Co 3:5 (NASB)
- He knew that the Lord often opened doors for such opportunities
- 1Co 16:9; 2Co 2:12
- 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?
- THERE IS BOLDNESS FROM GOD...
- When the apostles needed boldness, they prayed and God
delivered - Ac 4:23-31
- 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?
- THERE IS WISDOM FROM GOD...
- Wisdom is not knowledge, but insight that makes the best use of
the knowledge one has
- The Christian is promised wisdom through prayer without doubt
- Jm 1:5-8
-- Don't you want the wisdom that comes from above?
- THERE IS HEALING FROM GOD...
- Those who are sick should ask elders to pray for them - Jm 5:14-15
- 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?
- THERE IS TRANQUILITY FROM GOD...
- The Scriptures proclaim God has ultimate control over the
nations - Dan 4:17; Ro 13:1-7
- 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
- The power of prayer can indeed be a blessing...
- To the one who prays in faith
- For those for whom prayers are offered
- There is help in time of need from God...
- We have a wonderful High Priest who understands our problems - He
4:14-15
- 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?
- Indeed, the effective fervent prayer of a righteous man (cf. Jm 5:16)...
- "avails much" (NKJV)
- "can accomplish much (NASB)
- "has great power" (ESV)
- "is powerful and effective" (NIV)
-- If such is true of one righteous man, how about the prayers of
many righteous?
- Do we believe in the power of prayer...?
- Then let us pray always
- 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...