5. O Church, Arise

Introduction

General: In a series on prayer… Prayer as communion with God / dependence on God / struggle and surrender / confession and repentance / Today: prayer as ministry.

Personal: Answers to prayer — Debi Allen (8:00); Hannah Washam (9:30); Jerry Cronin (11:00)

Subject

Prayer doesn’t just help the ministry of the church. Prayer IS the ministry of the church. Prayer is not just preparation for ministry—it is participation in God’s mission.

How does prayer become a ministry? How does prayer move from a spiritual activity to a participation in mission?

Biblical Context: Acts 4, Peter and John arrested by the Sanhedrin, “Should we obey you or God,” threatened and released.

Body (Acts 4:23-31)

Prayer becomes a ministry when we pray for God’s mission to be accomplished. Prayer moves from a spiritual activity to a participation in mission when we pray: “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

Exposition

Do you notice what they didn’t pray for? Their problems to go away… to end their suffering… for the religious leaders to step down… for protection or safety… They didn’t ask for their problem to go away but for the strength to overcome the problem—not for their own comfort but so that the good news of Jesus could be shared with more people.

Different kinds of prayer: personal needs prayer // spiritual formation prayer // kingdom prayer

Kingdom prayer is when we ask God to accomplish his mission in the world.

Intercessory prayer is also a great ministry…

How to pray kingdom prayers

Start with God — who he is, what he’s done, what he’s said (Acts 4:24-26)

Tell God the problem or challenge (Acts 4:27-28)

Ask God for help (Acts 4:29-30)

Illustration: A recently retired man asked me how he could serve the church…

Application: Prayer is hard work… It’s not only about my needs or my spirituality. It’s work to pray for others. It’s ministry to pray kingdom prayers.

Prayer becomes a ministry when we are obedient to God’s answer. Prayer moves from a spiritual activity to a participation in mission when praying people become sent people.

Exposition: God answered their prayer (Acts 4:31)

They asked for boldness, God filled them with the Holy Spirit, and the Spirit gave them the courage they needed to continue their mission.

God’s answer to our kingdom prayers is the Holy Spirit… When you are filled with the Spirit, he gives you what you need to pursue God’s mission in your context. // Courage, wisdom, opportunities, the right words to say…

This is what spiritual gifts are.

Illustration: Gabriel from Romania… only enough money for one year at Moody, but every year God provided for another year.

Application: As you take a step of obedience, God gives you what you need to take another step. What is your next step of obedience?

Conclusion

What if the answer to your prayer for God’s mission… is you? Jesus is the hope of the world, our hope in life and death, for now and eternity. If you are a follower of Jesus, you are carrying the hope of the world. Will you share it?