Begin with Prayer

Open Bibles To: Gen 12:1-3 (Raise your hand if Bible Needed)

Announcement emphasis:

Men’s Study

Series: Blessed to Bless Others - Ambassadors on Mission

Topic: Begin With Prayer

Prayer

Introduction

Opening Illustration:

Certified Scuba Diver

Some are really serious -

Night Divers

Rescue diver

Imagine a deep-sea rescue diver standing on the deck of a vessel, looking down into

a sinking ship lies trapped lives

Driven by compassion,

the diver straps on:

their fins,

mask/helmet

grabs a flashlight,

BCD - Bouey Control Device

Never opened the valve to connect their oxygen hose to the tank on their back.

gasping for air, fighting just to survive.

The Transition:

The Great Commission is a spiritual rescue mission in hostile, deep waters.

The lost are drowning,

But if we plunge into ministry, outreach, and evangelism without

spiritual oxygen of prayer, we will quickly suffocate under the weight of the task.

Prayer is not a side detail in the rescue mission—

it is the life support system that keeps us alive and effective

Series Context

Week 2 - Blessed to Bless Others

So during this series, we’re challenging as Ambassadors on mission of Jesus.

In Genesis - God tells Abram that through him, his people are blessed to be a blessing

Genesis 12:2–3 ESV

2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

The Promise of the Blessing

Initiated with Abraham

Fulfilled by Jesus

Proclaimed by Believers

Baton has been passed to us

Every one of us has been blessed to be a blessing!

And so during this series we are this acronym, B.L.E.S.S., stands for five missional practices we can carry out everyday

Show BLESS Acronym

So todays focus will be in the BLESS Acronym:

BEGIN WITH PRAYER

We will take a look at 2 main points today:

Paul’s Pathway to Prayer

Power for Our Leg of the Race

Paul’s Pathway of Prayer

The End Results

Between AD 47-AD 57, Paul established flourishing churches in major cities across

the Roman provinces which are now Modern day -

Turkey,

Greece,

Italy,

Cyprus,

Israel, Syria, Egypt & North Africa

His three primary missionary journeys transformed Christianity from a Jerusalem-based movement into a Mediterranean-wide phenomenon.

God providentially redirected Paul West to Greece, bringing the gospel to Europe

He championed the mission to Gentiles

worked tirelessly to maintain unity between Jewish and Gentile Christians,

Wrote 13 of the 27 New Testament Books

Wrote close to 60% of NT writings - excluding the Gospels and Acts

Paul fundamentally shaped early Christianity’s identity, theology and geographic reach.

What helped Paul be so impactful

Paul’s Fuel for the Course

The Context of the Commission

Antioch church commission prayer, worship & fasting - Acts 13:1-3

Acts 13:1–3 ESV

1 Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

Prayer is a Two way Communication with God

Speaking to God

Hearing from God

Prompting

Visions & Dreams

Primarily God speaks through His word

But will speak specifics to your life

Example - Applying as Principal to Westward

Word of Caution on Hearing from God

God will not contradict his word or character

A Popular Pastor on Podcast - Left wife and married up to a new wife with a larger platform

Antioch leadership communicate to God in worship, God communicates back (Prayer)

The Mission in Macedonia

The Call to Macedonia

Acts 16:8–10 ESV

8 So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

In Paul’s 2 way communication God in Prayer - God directs to Macedonia

Strategically Paul goes to Philippi (One of the Leading Cities of Macedonia)

Lydia’s Conversion in Philippi

Acts 16:13–15 ESV

13 And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. 14 One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. 15 And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.

Where did Paul go?

To the place of prayer

Paul & Silas Imprisonment

Acts 16:16-24

Paul & Silas continue at the place of prayer

Slave girl spirit of divination proclaims they are servants of God

Spirit cast out - lost of income for owners

Magistrates beat and imprison them

The Philippian Jailer Conversion

Acts 16:25–33 ESV

25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, 26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened. 27 When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” 29 And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family.

Paul prays & worships in the midst of persecutions

Paul’s previous experience encouraged his charge to church of Ephesus

Paul say to pray for his boldness Eph 6:18-20

Ephesians 6:18–20 ESV

18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

Paul’s fuel for running his course so effectively was prayer!

Power for Our Leg of the Race

Remember the Source

Baton Passed on to Us

Matt 28:18-20 - His Power is manifested - The Bookmarks of the Great Commission

Matthew 28:18–20 ESV

18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

His Power for us accessed through prayer 

Plan Your Time of Prayer

Set aside time to spend in prayer

Pray throughout the day as well

Content of Prayer

Preparing Our Hearts

We need to prepare our hearts

To see as Jesus sees

Love as Jesus loves

God’s Leading to People and Places

Intentional and Strategic in Praying for others

Example - Themes of Prayer

Mon- School

Tues. - Extended Family

Weds. - Church Family

Thurs. - Missions & Ministries

Fri. - Specific Areas of Ministry

Weekend - Misc

Past Year for Neighbors - BLESS App

Looking for God’s Movement and Manifestation

We will not always see what God is doing

Keep spiritual eyes open - we sometimes miss what God

Testimony By Carolyn 

Conclusion

Summary Slide

Paul’s Pathway to Prayer

Power for Our Leg of the Race

LTGHW

Prayer is the foundation of for us to live as ambassadors for Christ who are on mission to bless others with the Gospel.

We need to be intentional, consistent and strategic in praying for those in our sphere of influence to know Jesus

Call to Salvation

Prayer

Groups

Download the Bless App