Power of Praying Together | POWERFUL PRAYER
Powerful Prayer • Sermon • Submitted
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· 20 viewsWe were made to pray powerful prayers—together. When we gather, God promises His presence and to move on our behalf. This unity binds us to one another and points the world to Jesus. If we long to see a move of God, its time we experienced the power of praying together.
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I. Intro
I. Intro
Welcome / Church Online
Recap
A. Profits of Prayer/ What God wants you to gain.
Profits of Prayer / What God wants you to gain.
B. 3 Foundations of Prayer
3 Foundations of Prayer
C. 5 types of Prayer
5 Types of Prayer
Prayer Card
A primary means of communication that binds together God and humankind in intimate and reciprocal relationship
Prayer is not primarily about what we can get out of God, but what He purposes to do in and through us for His own pleasure.
The great secret of prayer is to align ourselves to God’s purposes rather than seeking to align Him to ours.
Prayer Night
Prayer Night
Prayed for: healing, boldness, the lost, our kids, our marriages, our country, our church
Interceded for some of you sitting here today
Don’t say that to embarrass you or make you feel uncomfortable
Want you to know you’re not here by accident.
That prompting, that urge, even that resistance you faced this morning… I believe that was a result of prayers prayed Wednesday night. And the devil isn’t happy.
>>> There is a unique power that comes when God’s people gather together to pray.
II. Praying together (Daniel 2:1-28)
II. Praying together (Daniel 2:1-28)
Nebuchadnezzar’s dream
Call in all his “wise men:” magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, astrologers
Demands they 1) Tell him what his dream was 2) Interpret the dream for him
Threatens to kill all of the wise men if they get the dream wrong.
v5 - “I am serious about this. If you don’t tell me what my dream was and what it means, you will be torn limb from limb, and your houses will be turned into heaps of rubble!”
“Nebby… Neb, can I call you Neb? Tell me your dream and I’ll interpret for you...”
8 The king replied, “I know what you are doing! You’re stalling for time because you know I am serious when I say, 9 ‘If you don’t tell me the dream, you are doomed.’ So you have conspired to tell me lies, hoping I will change my mind. But tell me the dream, and then I’ll know that you can tell me what it means.” 10 The astrologers replied to the king, “No one on earth can tell the king his dream! And no king, however great and powerful, has ever asked such a thing of any magician, enchanter, or astrologer! 11 The king’s demand is impossible. No one except the gods can tell you your dream, and they do not live here among people.” 12 The king was furious when he heard this, and he ordered that all the wise men of Babylon be executed.
King Nebby ain’t playing around
Wise men are all scared to death. Too afraid to even make an attempt. Not even going to try going down swinging.
>>> Getting ready to be introduced to our main characters
13 And because of the king’s decree, men were sent to find and kill Daniel and his friends. 14 When Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, came to kill them, Daniel handled the situation with wisdom and discretion. 15 He asked Arioch, “Why has the king issued such a harsh decree?” So Arioch told him all that had happened. 16 Daniel went at once to see the king and requested more time to tell the king what the dream meant. 17 Then Daniel went home and told his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah what had happened. 18 He urged them to ask the God of heaven to show them his mercy by telling them the secret, so they would not be executed along with the other wise men of Babylon.
A. Daniel didn’t go at it alone — Wisdom and discretion
A. Daniel didn’t go at it alone — Wisdom and discretion
Knew this was a special case ≠ Joseph & Pharaoh
We all need a little help from our friends...
Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego
B. He knew that unity in prayer isn’t just powerful, it’s miraculous.
B. He knew that unity in prayer isn’t just powerful, it’s miraculous.
1 One night during the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had such disturbing dreams that he couldn’t sleep. 2 He called in his magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers, and he demanded that they tell him what he had dreamed. As they stood before the king, 3 he said, “I have had a dream that deeply troubles me, and I must know what it means.” 4 Then the astrologers answered the king in Aramaic, “Long live the king! Tell us the dream, and we will tell you what it means.” 5 But the king said to the astrologers, “I am serious about this. If you don’t tell me what my dream was and what it means, you will be torn limb from limb, and your houses will be turned into heaps of rubble! 6 But if you tell me what I dreamed and what the dream means, I will give you many wonderful gifts and honors. Just tell me the dream and what it means!” 7 They said again, “Please, Your Majesty. Tell us the dream, and we will tell you what it means.” 8 The king replied, “I know what you are doing! You’re stalling for time because you know I am serious when I say, 9 ‘If you don’t tell me the dream, you are doomed.’ So you have conspired to tell me lies, hoping I will change my mind. But tell me the dream, and then I’ll know that you can tell me what it means.” 10 The astrologers replied to the king, “No one on earth can tell the king his dream! And no king, however great and powerful, has ever asked such a thing of any magician, enchanter, or astrologer! 11 The king’s demand is impossible. No one except the gods can tell you your dream, and they do not live here among people.” 12 The king was furious when he heard this, and he ordered that all the wise men of Babylon be executed. 13 And because of the king’s decree, men were sent to find and kill Daniel and his friends. 14 When Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, came to kill them, Daniel handled the situation with wisdom and discretion. 15 He asked Arioch, “Why has the king issued such a harsh decree?” So Arioch told him all that had happened. 16 Daniel went at once to see the king and requested more time to tell the king what the dream meant. 17 Then Daniel went home and told his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah what had happened. 18 He urged them to ask the God of heaven to show them his mercy by telling them the secret, so they would not be executed along with the other wise men of Babylon. 19 That night the secret was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven. 20 He said, “Praise the name of God forever and ever, for he has all wisdom and power. 21 He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars. 22 He reveals deep and mysterious things and knows what lies hidden in darkness, though he is surrounded by light. 23 I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors, for you have given me wisdom and strength. You have told me what we asked of you and revealed to us what the king demanded.” 24 Then Daniel went in to see Arioch, whom the king had ordered to execute the wise men of Babylon. Daniel said to him, “Don’t kill the wise men. Take me to the king, and I will tell him the meaning of his dream.” 25 Arioch quickly took Daniel to the king and said, “I have found one of the captives from Judah who will tell the king the meaning of his dream!” 26 The king said to Daniel (also known as Belteshazzar), “Is this true? Can you tell me what my dream was and what it means?” 27 Daniel replied, “There are no wise men, enchanters, magicians, or fortune-tellers who can reveal the king’s secret. 28 But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and he has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the future. Now I will tell you your dream and the visions you saw as you lay on your bed.
19 That night the secret was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven. 20 He said, “Praise the name of God forever and ever, for he has all wisdom and power. 21 He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars. 22 He reveals deep and mysterious things and knows what lies hidden in darkness, though he is surrounded by light. 23 I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors, for you have given me wisdom and strength. You have told me what we asked of you and revealed to us what the king demanded.” 24 Then Daniel went in to see Arioch, whom the king had ordered to execute the wise men of Babylon. Daniel said to him, “Don’t kill the wise men. Take me to the king, and I will tell him the meaning of his dream.” 25 Arioch quickly took Daniel to the king and said, “I have found one of the captives from Judah who will tell the king the meaning of his dream!” 26 The king said to Daniel (also known as Belteshazzar), “Is this true? Can you tell me what my dream was and what it means?” 27 Daniel replied, “There are no wise men, enchanters, magicians, or fortune-tellers who can reveal the king’s secret. 28 But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and he has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the future. Now I will tell you your dream and the visions you saw as you lay on your bed.
C. After Jesus died the Apostles followed their example
C. After Jesus died the Apostles followed their example
A. Daniel didn’t go at it alone
Knew this was a special case ≠ Joseph & Pharaoh
We all need a little help from our friends...
Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego
B. He knew that unity in prayer isn’t just powerful, it’s miraculous.
C. After Jesus died the Apostles lived their example
12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
Joined together constantly in prayer
NIV)
We don’t pray together enough
III. When Two Agree
III. When Two Agree
19 “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. 20 For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”
(NIV)
(NIV)
A. We spend much of our time finding the things we don’t agree on
We will not always agree
B. Something’s we can agree on
Spiritual needs of our nation, community, and church
Those who don’t know Jesus personally
Those who don’t know Jesus personally
Revival and spiritual awakenings
Revival and spiritual awakenings
Here, Pastor, our teachers, me and family, church council.
Here, Pastor, pastor search committee, our teachers, me and family, church council.
C. We need to take full advantage of time spent in prayer with others.
IV. Advantages of Group Prayer
IV. Advantages of Group Prayer
1. That He is with us.
1. That He is with us.
20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
19 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
(NIV)
(NIV)
2. God’s basic way of running the universe is through the intercession of His saints
2. God’s basic way of running the universe is through the intercession of His saints
Creation and redemption, the greatest works of all time, are the works that God did alone
He didn’t consult us when the world was created
He didn’t consult us when the world was created
We didn’t have the wisdom to ask Him to die for us.
We didn’t have the wisdom to ask Him to die for us.
1 As God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it.
(NKJV)
(NKJV)
Yet, God has invited us to play an active role in His mission to save humanity.
Abraham - Pleading for Sodom
16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
3. Miraculous things happen when we pray together
3. Miraculous things happen when we pray together
6 The night before Peter was to be placed on trial, he was asleep, fastened with two chains between two soldiers. Others stood guard at the prison gate. 7 Suddenly, there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter. The angel struck him on the side to awaken him and said, “Quick! Get up!” And the chains fell off his wrists. 8 Then the angel told him, “Get dressed and put on your sandals.” And he did. “Now put on your coat and follow me,” the angel ordered. 9 So Peter left the cell, following the angel. But all the time he thought it was a vision. He didn’t realize it was actually happening. 10 They passed the first and second guard posts and came to the iron gate leading to the city, and this opened for them all by itself. So they passed through and started walking down the street, and then the angel suddenly left him. 11 Peter finally came to his senses. “It’s really true!” he said. “The Lord has sent his angel and saved me from Herod and from what the Jewish leaders had planned to do to me!” 12 When he realized this, he went to the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where many were gathered for prayer. 13 He knocked at the door in the gate, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to open it. 14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed that, instead of opening the door, she ran back inside and told everyone, “Peter is standing at the door!” 15 “You’re out of your mind!” they said. When she insisted, they decided, “It must be his angel.” 16 Meanwhile, Peter continued knocking. When they finally opened the door and saw him, they were amazed. 17 He motioned for them to quiet down and told them how the Lord had led him out of prison. “Tell James and the other brothers what happened,” he said. And then he went to another place.
-17LT)
Peter wasn’t even praying at this moment—He was asleep
LT)
Yet, a group of believers came together to pray and intercede on his behalf, and God sent an angel to break Peter out of prison.
If you’ve been praying for a miracle, maybe for years, it might be time to get some other believers to start praying with you.
Healing
Lost > saved
Out of debt / Financial freedom
Marriage / relationship restored
4. Boldness to do what God has called
4. Boldness to do what God has called
NLT - 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...
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...
Acts 4.29
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.
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.
We all want boldness, its what we lack.
We all want boldness, its what we lack
Prayed for this at our prayer meeting Wednesday night.
5. We learn the needs and concerns of our brothers and sisters
5. We learn the needs and concerns of our brothers and sisters
God wants us unified in all things not just prayer
9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.
Prayer promotes unity
Prayer promote unity
Prayer promotes unity
Rallies us around a common cause
Prayed for our church leadership, our ministries, etc
Prayer is intimate
Prayer is intimate
Praying with and for someone gives you incredible insight into their life. Helps us walk in their shoes / see the world from their perspective.
We all have battles to fight
Helps us realize we’re not the only ones going through some stuff
V. Why we neglect praying together
V. Why we neglect praying together
A. Our pride
A. Our pride
We don’t want anyone to hear us pray
Selfish — Praying for someone is one of the most life-giving things we can do for them.
All churches segregate.
Couples would rather kiss / have sex than pray together
Embarrassment - I don’t want people to know what’s going on (prayer is intimate)
Ignorance - We don’t see the value
Prayer meetings can cause unity and we are afraid of that.
Going to Jesus feet with someone you have talked about or someone that has hurt you.
B. Our enemy
B. Our enemy
Unified Prayer is powerful—Satan won’t stand for it
Satan won’t stand for it
We simply lose the battle,
We simply lose the battle,
Don’t have time, don’t like it, uncomfortable
Don’t have time, don’t like it, uncomfortable
It’s all satanic ploys to defeat us and we walk right in to it.
It’s all satanic ploys to defeat us and we walk right in to it.
20 “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. 22 “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. 23 I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.
20 “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. 22 “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. 23 I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.
C. I didn’t vote for it. Its not my idea why should I
john17.20-21
Satan has no problem sitting back and letting “Christians” attend church. But unity… that’s a problem, because it is our unity that will point the world to Jesus.
Is that what Jesus would say? Where did you get that attitude?
VI. Tips on prayer
A. pray specifically
Lord help me
Lord help me be a better Christian
Lord help me not to gossip
Don’ts
Lord if I gossip make sure everything I say in secret come out in public
B. Reinforce prayer with scripture.
Lord save Joe
Lord your word says your not willing that any should perish how about Joe
Lord I’m afraid
Lord you word says you have not given me the spirit of fear but of power and a sound mind, I need some sound mind!
Summary
Summary
We were made to pray powerful prayers—together. When we gather, God promises His presence and to move on our behalf. This unity binds us to one another and points the world to Jesus. If we long to see a move of God, its time we experienced the power of praying together.
VII. Communion
VII. Communion
Examine
27 So anyone who eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord unworthily is guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking the cup.
Bread
23 For I pass on to you what I received from the Lord himself. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread 24 and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
Wine
25 In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.” 26 For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again.