Stronger Together (Part 4)

Pray for “One Another”

Happy Thanksgiving

humor

What did the mother turkey say to her disobedient children?

If your father could see you now, he'd turn over in his gravy.

What do you get if you divide the circumference of a pumpkin by its diameter?

Pumpkin pi.

What smells the best at a Thanksgiving dinner?

Your nose.

What did the turkey say before it was roasted?

Boy! I'm stuffed!

When is the turkey soup bad for your health?

When you are the turkey.

Why can’t you take a turkey to church?

They use fowl language.

Today were going to continue our “One Another” series entitled Stronger Together.

I know what your probably thinking....its thanksgiving......shouldn’t you be preaching a sermon on being thankful or something.

Why are you preaching on Prayer.

Well allow me to put you mind at ease.

praying for one another is one of the best ways to act out your thankfulness.

Its one thing to say you’re thankful, and that’s something we should all do regularly

but its a whole new level to act out your thankfulness.

We see this in the scriptures repeatedly

Ephesians 1:16 NASB95

16 do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers;

Philippians 1:3 NASB95

3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,

Philemon 4 NASB95

4 I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers,

1 Thessalonians 1:2 NASB95

2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers;

Praying for others is a response to thankfulness

if you’re thankful the response should lead you to prayer for others!

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 NASB95

16 Rejoice always; 17 pray without ceasing; 18 in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Since we are told to be give thanks in everything, we have plenty of cause to pray for others.

Last week pastor Trevor spoke on putting one another ahead our ourselves.

Philippians 2:4 NASB95

4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

Ask yourself this question.

How much of your prayer life is focused on your own needs, and how much is focused on the needs of others?

one of the best ways to look out for One another is to pray for One Another

Now i’m not saying don’t prayer for your own needs, but what I’m saying is focus your prayers on the needs of others.

One thing I have discovered in life, is that no matter how big a need I have, there is someone out there who as a much bigger need than mine

Focusing on the needs of others helps me put my “needs” into perspective

its been said

“If you develop a habit of praying to God for others. You will never need to pray for your own self.”

Incidently one of the ways I have found God meets my needs/desires. Is when I strives to meet the needs/desires of others, mine just kind of fall into place.

my answer comes when I ask the question for someone else!

How are we to Prayer for One Another?

Pray in the Spirit

Ephesians 6:18 NASB95

18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,

When prayer is performed ‘in the Spirit’; with the heart, soul, and spirit engaged in it.

It is put up with a true heart, and a right spirit, and without hypocrisy; in a spiritual way,

with fervency, and under the influence, and by the assistance of the Spirit of God.”

When engaged you agree with what you are praying....

sounds simple. but

How many times have you prayed and not beleived?

praying in the spirit, means to be in agreement with the Spirit

yes it can involve speaking in tongues but it can’t be limited to that

praying in the spirit mean to be directed, empowered, and sustained by the Holy Spirit.

John 16:23–24 NASB95

23 “In that day you will not question Me about anything. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you. 24 “Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.

Perseverance

Don’t give up.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 NASB95

17 pray without ceasing;

Luke 18:1–8 NASB95

1 Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart, 2 saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect man. 3 “There was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me legal protection from my opponent.’ 4 “For a while he was unwilling; but afterward he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out.’ ” 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge said; 7 now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? 8 “I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”

Who are we to prayer for?

All the saints

praying for whomever God puts on your heart.

Pray for your leaders

1 Timothy 2:1–4 NASB95

1 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Pray for each other

I desire a church that when we come together not only do we talk and share with one another, but we also make the effort to pray for one another.

I know some of you do this, and I thank you

but what if our greeting changed to

How can I pray for you?

What would be the result, I know some of you think....I’ll get the pastor to pray for them.

that’s fine I enjoy praying for people

but I rather you believe “I’ll pray for them”

Romans 8:11 NASB95

11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

The same Spirit lives in you!

You have the same access to God that I do.

God wants to develop your prayers

and one of the ways He does that is through agreement

Agreement

Matthew 18:19 NASB95

19 “Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven.

agreement is key to seeing God’s willing being done on earth

and not just agreement with yourself

you have to invite others to your party

and be willing to ask for prayers

Ask for Prayers

I know many Christians struggle with requesting others to pray for them.

suck it up buttercup

Now I’m not suggesting you need to announce your concerns to the world.

but I beleive it is appropriate to enlist a few trusted people to join you in your struggles.

Paul requests Prayer

Romans 15:30 NASB95

30 Now I urge you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me,

2 Thessalonians 3:1 NASB95

1 Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you;

1 Thessalonians 5:25 NASB95

25 Brethren, pray for us.

Part of praying for One another means, being willing to ask one another for prayer

At this time I’m going to ask Jasmine and her friend to come up and share her testimony

Testimony:Jasmine

Thank-you Jasmine

What are we to pray for?

Oswald Chambers author of My Utmost for His Highest? is quoted as saying

“True intercession involves bringing the person, or the circumstance that seems to be crashing in on you, before God, until you are changed by His attitude toward that person or circumstance. People describe intercession by saying, “It is putting yourself in someone else’s place.” That is not true! Intercession is putting yourself in God’s place; it is having His mind and His perspective.” ― Oswald Chambers

We pray for others for comfort, for salvation, for healing, for safety

for any number of reasons.

God uses prayer to align our hearts to His will.

We can pray that someone comes to know God, or that God will allow their lost dog to return home

we can pray for any reason at all.

During this season of reset some notable things should be on our hearts

Healing

James 5:16 NASB95

16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

confess you sins…Nov 6

many people are in need of healing

We are to prayer for one another’s healing

Provision

many people are experiencing lack

this church has suffered many financial hardships over the last 2 1/2 years

Our givings are been 1/2 of our budget

I beleive its because you the church have suffered financial hardships.

2 Corinthians 9:8 NASB95

8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;

Protection

Increase in lawlessness

2 Thessalonians 3:3 NASB95

3 But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.

Overcoming Fear

People are still consumed by fear

Deuteronomy 31:6 NASB95

6 “Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.”

Spread of the Gospel message

Colossians 4:3–4 NASB95

3 praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; 4 that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.

Conclusion

Today I encourage you to be thankful.

Thank God for what He has done, is doing, and will do!

Use that to empower your prayers for others

pray in the Spirit, without giving up and in agreement with one another

don’t hesitate in asking others to join you in your prayers

Continue to prayer for other

for Healing, Provision, Protection, Overcoming Fear, and the advancement of the Gospel.

Let’s pray