Prayer and Discipleship

Recap

Salvation and Discipleship

Salvation is by Grace and Gift

The Cost of Discipleship

Abide in my word = True Discipleship

Prayer and Discipleship - Todays sermon

Introduction

Prayer is not a discipline that is exclusive Christianity. Every religion believes in prayer, and each of the religions approach or how they practise of the prayer is different.

God created man for himself and for His glory so until person finds himself in Christ he or she will always search and never will satisfied until he or she finds Gods.

Have you ever wondered why some religion have many gods, I am not talking just about major religions you go to amazon they worship something because there is a God kind of vacuum that is man that can not be fulfilled by anything else other than God himself.

We are quick to judge other religions but never think something within them is longing for Heavenly father are trying to connect with him but since they donot they go on invent themselves that they can worship as God.

Acts 17:22–23 NASB95

So Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects. “For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you.

Muslims - Pray five times a day. Lot of muslims are very proud of showing they mark on they theirs knees and on their forehead, they are very proud of of their prayer life.

Hindus - there are men and women who have given up everything and committed to prayer, I heard of man who never lie down but stood as his commitment to his God and prayer. There are many who have given up everything to pursue God.

Buddhist - My experience of attending a Buddhist monastery

It’s estimated there are 4200 religions in the world.

Who prayer are acceptable to God?

James 5:17 NASB95

Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months.

Romans 6:23 NASB95

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

James 5:16 ESV

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Romans

What you do see in this verse?

What is important?

Is it the discipline of Prayer?

Is it the length of Prayer?

Is it where you pray?

What does the scripture say? Who’s prayer is acceptable to God according to the verse?

Prayer of the righteous man is acceptable to God.

So it was not the act of prayer itself that made it acceptable to God or effective. It was the person behind the prayer.

Lets God to

Genesis 4:4–5 NCV

Abel brought the best parts from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord accepted Abel and his gift, but he did not accept Cain and his gift. So Cain became very angry and felt rejected.

According to this verse what did God accept first?

Scripture says God accepted Abel and his offering and He rejected Cain and His offering, its was not the offering that was the key it was the person who was behind the offering.

Who is righteous?

Romans 3:10 NASB95

as it is written, “There is none righteous, not even one;

Romans

there was only

Romans 3:23 NASB95

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Rope Illustration

James 1:9 NASB95

But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position;

1 John 1:9 NASB95

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:

James 1

Romans 3:21–22 NASB95

But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction;

Romans 3:22 NASB95

even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction;

Hebrew tells us to boldly come to the throne of grace. Why? because Jesus Christ Qualifies us.

Romans 3:23 NASB95

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

PRAYER - Please remember always your end results

To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.

Martin Luther

1 Thessalonians 5:17 NASB95

pray without ceasing;

1 thessalonians 5:17

Romans 3

“The difference between Christianity and every other faith in the world is that all other religions are about man trying to reach up to God.  Christianity is about God reaching down to man.”

Prayer in Christianity is communion , its dialogue and not a monolog

William Carey wrote this : Secret, Fervent,Believing prayer - lies at the root of all personal godliness,.

To pray is to change. Prayer is the central avenue God uses to transform us

Martin Luther declares, ‘I have so much business I cannot get without spending three hours daily in prayer.

Secret of prayer is prayer itself.

Not long ago I did a series on steps of Prayer. so won’t take too much time today.

Today we have AGM so would like to wrap and will continue next week.

God willing next week we’ll discuss more about the discipline of Prayers, several misconceptions about prayers that defeat the work of prayers.