The Power of Prayer

Jesus appears to the disciples  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented
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James 5:16 (NIV84)
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

First Step to following Jesus is obedience

Acts 1:12

Acts 1:12 NIV84
Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city.

They went back to the place where Jesus first met them after the resurrection and waiting, as HE told them to.

Where is your prayer closet that you can go to to wait for an answer to what Jesus wants you to do?

Actively wait by being united in prayer with others who are seeking the same answers.

1 Thessalonians 5:17-19

1 Thessalonians 5:17–19 NIV84
pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit’s fire;

Matthew 18:19-20

Matthew 18:19–20 NIV84
“Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”

Bringing these three passages together we discover that the Power of Prayer comes through living a lifestyle of prayer and joining your prayer with others.

How can you live a lifestyle of prayer?

Who and in what way could you join your prayer with others?

When we wait, prayerfully one of the ways God will speak to us is through HIS WORD.(The Bible)

Acts 1:15-16

Acts 1:15–16 NIV84
In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) and said, “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus—

Zechariah 11:12

Zechariah 11:12 NIV84
I told them, “If you think it best, give me my pay; but if not, keep it.” So they paid me thirty pieces of silver.

Acts 2:20

Acts 1:20 NIV84
“For,” said Peter, “it is written in the book of Psalms, “ ‘May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,’ and, “ ‘May another take his place of leadership.’

Psalm 69:25; 109:8

Psalm 69:25 “May their place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in their tents.” Psalm 109:8 “May his days be few; may another take his place of leadership.”

What scriptures might God be opening to you to help with your decision?

There is a purpose to everything God does and through the Power of Prayer we can find it.

Acts 1:21-22

Acts 1:21–22 NIV84
Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

Proverbs 3:5–6 NIV84
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

And when you come to the end of your prayers, keep on praying.

Acts 1:23-26

Acts 1:23–26 NIV84
So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.

If they got this far with just prayer, why cast lots?

Casting Lots

It was the custom in Old Testament times to make choices by lot. Small stones, or little stone tablets on which something was written, were put into a container and shaken together; then one was taken out. The choice was made according to the stone that was chosen. Examples of casting lots may be found in the following passages: Leviticus 16:8; Joshua 18:6; 1 Samuel 14:42 (see also 14:41–42 note, “Casting Lots”); Nehemiah 10:34. The last record of its use in the Bible is in Acts 1:23–26, when the apostles chose a disciple to take the place of Judas. We do not need to cast lots now, because we have the Bible and the Spirit of God to guide us.

If you are struggling with something big or small pray it through and God will provide the answer.

What is something you are dealing with right now that you can put the power of prayer to the test?

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