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The Power of Prayer

The Power of Prayer. I Thess. 5:17-18 : “Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” Luke 18:1 : “ And He spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray and not to faint.”

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The Power of Prayer

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  1. The Power of Prayer • I Thess. 5:17-18: “Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” • Luke 18:1: “And He spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray and not to faint.” • I Tim. 2:8: “I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting.

  2. Acts 2:42: “Then they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine, and in fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” Col. 4:2: “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.” Heb. 4:16: “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” James 1:5: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” Jas. 5:13: “Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray? Is any merry? Let him sing psalms.” Jas. 5:16. “….the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

  3. Observations: • These are but a few Scriptures in which God’s people are encouraged to pray. Yet it seems that all too often too many, when it comes to praying, are negligent. • illus. Tornado in Tennessee. • illus. “We’ve done all we can; the only thing left is pray! That should be the first thing we do! • Why are many so remiss as it relates to prayer? They lack faith in the power of prayer! • Title: The Power of Prayer

  4. Abraham Believed in the Power of Prayer! • Genesis 18:25-33. • His Nephew, Lot, was in Sodom, Gen. 13:12, and Sodom about to be destroyed. • “Will you destroy the righteous with the wicked,” Gen. 18:23. cf. 2 Peter 2:7-8. • Abraham Petitioned God, Who threatened to destroy Sodom! • Ten righteous not found; Lot and his two daughters spared!

  5. Moses Believed inThe Power of Prayer! • He had been in the mount 40 days and nights, Exodus 24:18. • The people petitioned Aaron, “make us gods which shall go before us,” Ex. 32:1 • Aaron made a golden calf, Ex. 32:2-4. which the people began to worship! • God threatened to destroy them and make of Moses a great nation, Ex.32:9,10. • Moses petitioned God, and God relented of the evil He thought to do to the people, 11-14.

  6. Hannah BelievedIn the Power of Prayer! • Hannah had been barren; she went to Shiloh to worship and sacrifice; she prayed to God and made a vow, I Sam. 1:10-11. • God answered her prayer; she bore a son, named Samuel (“heard of God”), 1:19-20. . • She devoted Him to God; Samuel became a judge, prophet, and priest! • What if Hannah had not prayed??

  7. Daniel BelievedIn the Power of Prayer! • Belshazzer was slain, Darius, the Mede, was now reigning. Daniel was promoted. • The presidents and princes resented Daniel; they convinced the king to sign a petition that any person who “asked a petition of any god or man for 30 days” (other than the king) be cast into the lion’s den. • Three times a day Daniel “prayed and gave thanks to God…,” Daniel 6:10. • God shut the mouths of the lions, 6:11-23!

  8. The Apostle PaulBelieved in the Power of Prayer! • Acts 16:25: “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God; and the prisoners heard them.” • Consider how he and Silas had been treated, Acts 16:17-24. • Yet they prayed and sang praises to God! • The “prisoners heard them,” Acts 16:25. • God also heard them, Acts 16:25-30!

  9. Jesus Christ Believedin the Power of Prayer! • He was a man of prayer! • Mark 1:35; Luke 6:12; Matthew 26:36. • In Gethsemane he prayed “if it be possible, let this cup pass from me,” Mt. 26:39. The cup was not removed, but “there appeared an angel from heaven strengthening Him,” Luke 22:43. • Jesus prayed while on the cross, Lk. 23:34. • Why did Jesus pray? He believed in the power of prayer! • If the Son of God received strength that comes through prayer, what about us?

  10. In Prayer, Christians Receive: • Forgiveness of sins, Acts 8:22; I John 1:7-9; 2:1-2. • Wisdom from God, James 1:5-8. • Peace of Mind, Philippians 4:6-7. • Additional Opportunities to spread the word of God, Colossians 4:2-4. • Strength from God, Eph. 3:14-16, 20; 6:18-20. • Tranquility from God, I Tim. 2:1-2; cf. Dan. 4:17,25.

  11. Practical Applications • Pray For Those struggling to survive: • Pray, Matthew 6:11. • Work, Genesis 3:19. • Pray For those with whom you have problems –family, friends, brethen,etc. • Pray for strength to do the right thing, Matt. 5:23: 18:15-17. • For Wisdom to relate to them, James 1:15. • For them, Luke 23:34

  12. Practical Applications (con’t) • For those struggling with health issues, James 5:15-16; 2 Cor. 12:7-9. • Pray with a meek and contrite spirit, Isaiah 66:1-2; cf. Luke 18:10-14. • Pray fervently, James 5:16-18. • Pray Persistently, Luke 18:1-8.

  13. Conclusion: • Prayer is the responsibility and privilege of a child of God; we pray “our father which art in heaven..” • Prayer is effective because Jesus is our High Priest, Hebrews 4:16. • Yet Jesus is “high priest over the house of God,” Heb. 10:19, which is the church, I Timothy 3:16.

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