The Freedom of Prayer

Introduction:

This year we’ve been sitting at the feet of Jesus and asking him to teach us.

January: Teach us to Pray

February: Teach us the Word (Sound Doctrine)

March: Teach us to Dream (7 Year Anniversary)

April: Teach us to Sacrifice (Easter)

May: Teach us to Share

June: Teach us the Way (The book of Acts)

November: Teach us to Trust

December: Teach us the Way (Acts)

We started off this year with Teach us to Pray and I think it is only fitting that our last message in Teach us the Way is the power of prayer.

The Power of Desperate Prayer

A.D. 44

Acts 12:1–5 (ESV)

1 About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. 2 He killed James the brother of John with the sword, 3 and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. 4 And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. 5 So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.

Persecution turned to Martyrdom

James was the first Apostle killed for his faith his brother John would be the last.

The sons of thunder

Prophesied by Jesus

Matthew 20:20–23 ESV

20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. 21 And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” 22 Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” 23 He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”

The People were pleased with the persecution

A time of Cancel Culture

Cancel Culture: the practice or tendency of engaging in mass canceling as a way of expressing disapproval and exerting social pressure (“Cancel culture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cancel%20culture. Accessed 14 Dec. 2023.)

Today we see documentaries about Christianity that effects us all. Documentary of Discovery + about the IFB (Independent Fundamental Baptist)

First the abuses of the Catholic Chruch

Then Hillsong

Then the Southern Baptist

Then the Independent Fundamental Baptist

The Duggar family (Bill Gothard)

It is about some horrible abuse that was going on in 3 baptist Church

The problem is they paint a broad stroke of all IFB churches which is simply not true.

1 Peter 2:20–24 ESV

20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

The Power of Corporate prayer

Acts 12:5 ESV

5 So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.

Spirit filled believers in unity make requests to a loving Father

2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV

14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

The Teaching of Jesus

Matthew 18:18–20 ESV

18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

The Teaching of John

1 John 5:14–15 ESV

14 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.

Corporate Prayer bring Clarity

Together we pray for God’s will and not our own.

We move from abstract prayer to truth.

Corporate Prayer bring Camaraderie

When we gather, Jesus gathers with us.

Asking together brings unity.

Corporate Prayer bring Courage

We are confident that God hears us.

We are confident in God’s answer.

The Donation of the Land. Kim spoke it out loud first. Then I joined and David joined in.

The Response of the Father

Acts 12:6–11 ESV

6 Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. 7 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. 8 And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” 9 And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10 When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him. 11 When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”

God’s Response is Supernatural.

Chains fell off: Are you bound by sin? God can break the chains!

The enemy was unaware: Are you caught in your circumstance? God can subdue the enemy!

Doors were opened: Do you need an opportunity? God can open doors that no man can shut!

The people’s response is wonder and amazement.

Acts 12:12–17 (ESV)

12 When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. 13 And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. 14 Recognizing Peter’s voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. 15 They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!” 16 But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed. 17 But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Tell these things to James and to the brothers.” Then he departed and went to another place.

God is ready to answer the prayers of the saints.

The Church should pray in expectation of God to move.

Learning the Power of Prayer

Pray for things that move the ministry needle.

Come into agreement with the movement of the Spirit in the life of your church.

Pray God’s will from his revealed Word.

Pray with the authority and name of Jesus.

We are ambassadors of the Kingdom of Christ and have been given authority to act on his behalf.

Pray what Jesus would pray and do what Jesus would do.

Pray in full expectation that God is going to answer in a mighty way.

Ask in faith.

James 1:5–8 ESV

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Move in faith of God’s response.

R-Group Questions

If you would like to know more about small groups at Reliant, please visit the Next Step booth in the back to times and locations.

How has your prayer life grown over this last year?

Has your prayer been focused more individually or corporately with the church?

How do you feel your small group can be more intentional about praying for the vision, direction, and movement of God?