The Partnership of Praying with Others

Acts 4:23-31 – 23 As soon as they were freed, Peter and John returned to the other believers and told them what the leading priests and elders had said. 24 When they heard the report, all the believers lifted their voices together in prayer to God: “O Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them – 25 you spoke long ago by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant, saying, ‘Why were the nations so angry? Why did they waste their time with futile plans? 26 The kings of the earth prepared for battle; the rulers gathered together against the Lord and against his Messiah.’ 27 “In fact, this has happened here in this very city! For Herod Antipas, Pontius Pilate the governor, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel were all united against Jesus, your holy servant, whom you anointed. 28 But everything they did was determined beforehand according to your will. 29 And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. 30 Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness. (New Living Translation)

What’s the Importance of Partnership of Prayer with Others?

Powerful Prayer Follows Powerful Relationships

▸ God particularly _____________________ in power when we love each other

▸ We pray best with those we _____________________ most

▸ Therefore, we must build _____________________________ with each other

Powerful Prayer Requires Being in One Accord

▸ What’s it mean being in ‘one accord?’

Acts 4:24 – . . . they lifted their voices in a wonderful harmony in prayer: (The Message)

▸ Being in one accord requires a __________________ love for one another

▸ Coming together in one accord requires an outward ____________________ and _________________________

Powerful Prayer Works Well with Small Groups

▸ Five advantages of praying in small groups

1. __________________________ with others is more easily achieved

2. It is more _____________________________

3. It’s easier to ________________________________ in a small group than a large group

4. People come into one accord more ______________ with a small group of friends than with 100 people

5. Learning to _____________________________ the Holy Spirit’s leading is easier in a small group

▸ How do we recognizing the Holy Spirit guiding our prayer group?

John 16:13-14 – 13 The Spirit shows what is true and will come and guide you into the full truth. The Spirit doesn’t speak on his own. He will tell you only what he has heard from me, and he will let you know what is going to happen. 14 The Spirit will bring glory to me by taking my message and telling it to you. (Contemporary English Version)

Ephesians 4:3-6 – 3 Do your best to preserve the unity which the Spirit gives by means of the peace that binds you together. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as there is one hope to which God has called you. 5 There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 there is one God and Father of all, who is Lord of all, works through all, and is in all. (Good News Translation)

1. Watch how the ________________________ of others are being affected

2. Watch how the __________________ is being affected