A PRAYING CHURCH

Acts 12:5 “Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.”

In Revelation 1:8 “Jesus said I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”

God is the Creator of all things and the supreme Governor of the universe and He is the Giver of all good gifts. He is “a Spirit (John 4:24), He is infinite, He is eternal, and unchangeable in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness and truth.

God has all power, Matt. 19:26 says “but with God all things are possible.”

God loves his creation so, God will give us everlasting life:

The Bible say in John 3:16 “ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” And He came for our benefit: John 3:17 “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”

Jesus began His Church ministry with making disciples seen in:

Matthew 4:18–19 “And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

Just as Jesus calls His disciples He called you and me out from darkness into an eternal relationship with him.

This Church mission is to be a Church of Help Hope and Healing she is called the ekklesia in the Greek because she is called of God.

The Lord clears up the idea of who the church is and who she belongs to in : Matthew 16:14–18

“14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

If you have not notice by now that God will call a leader out of the mist of the sheep fold. Also please be reminded that God calls Pastor’s after his own heart according to Jer. 3:15.

Peter had a problem. He liked to talk without the direction of the Holy Spirit, as seen in Acts. 11.

Consistence Pray 5. Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church.

a. Pray with expectation

Mark 11:24 “ Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”

b. Pray and be satisfieth

Philippians 4:19 “19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

2. Pray removes chains:

Acts 12:6–7 “And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.

7 And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.”

a. He obeyed instructions

b. He had faith in God’s deliverance.

3. Pray is a continuous commitment.

Acts 12:13–16 “And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.

14 And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.

15 And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.

16 But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.”