When our Prayers have Power

I. Introduction

A. There is a great need in our world today for the people of God to Pray.

i. Christ instructed us to pray.

ii. Christ instructed us how to pray.

B. There is greater need for us to pray with Power.

i. Prayer without Power is like a car without an engine.

ii. Only powerful prayer can accomplish the work that God wants to do.

iii. When the Church prayed here in our text today there was such power that the place they were in was shaken. As Adrian Rogers said “ God said Amen with an earthquake”.

II. When our Prayers are concentrated on the Sovereignty Of God.

A. God is recognized as Creator.

i. Acts 4:24 “And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:”

ii. Psalm 19:1–4 “The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, And night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, Where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,”

iii. God is not our servant He is our Sovereign!!!!

B. God is recognized as Commander.

i. God Created and God Commands

C. God is recognized as Controller.

i. Acts 4:25–26 “Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.”

ii. It was by no accident that the Church was facing persecution.

iii. This was the Holy will of God.

III. When our Prayers are Centered around the Son of God.

A. The Desire to Promote God’s Word.

i. Acts 4:29 “And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,”

ii. They prayed for courage to declare the word of God.

iii. The y did not ask God to get them out of Trouble.

a. Jesus did not promise to get you out of Trouble, but rather to get you into more trouble and be with you in that trouble.

b. The trouble that is present in your life right now is with you that Jesus might be glorifed and the Gospel promoted.

B. The Desire to promote God’s Work.

i. They asked God to extend His hand.

ii. They prayed in the name of Jesus

a. John 14:13–14 “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.”

b. Praying in the name of Jesus is more than just adding the tagline at the end of your prayer in Jesus’ name.

c. Remember that the word Name means Character, Authority.

d. Our Prayers are often so selfish.

They prayed fo God’s Work to continue inn them and through them.

IV. When our Prayers are Controlled by the Holy Spirit.

A. They were Filled with The Holy Spirit.

i. You cannot live on leftovers.

B. They were Faithful through the Holy Spirit.

i. Courage came through the Spirit.

C. They were Fruitful through the Holy Spirit.

i.They witnessed through the Spirit.