Plugging in to the Power of Prayer
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Introduction
Introduction
A tale is told about a small town that had historically been "dry," but then a local businessman decided to build a tavern. A group of Christians from a local church were concerned and planned an all-night prayer meeting to ask God to intervene. It just so happened that shortly thereafter lightning struck the bar and it burned to the ground. The owner of the bar sued the church, claiming that the prayers of the congregation were responsible, but the church hired a lawyer to argue in court that they were not responsible. The presiding judge, after his initial review of the case, stated that "no matter how this case comes out, one thing is clear. The tavern owner believes in prayer and the Christians do not."
Do you enjoy prayer? Do you actually make time? We as humans find time to do the things we enjoy.
Do you have confidence in your prayers? If you don’t have confidence in your prayers, then it’s not true prayer.
6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
We know we should, but often we don’t. Sometimes the reason is that we don’t know how to, for some of us we are easily distracted, often times we don’t set aside enough time.
We know we should, often don’t.
Sometimes the reason is that we don’t know how to, for some of us we are easily distracted, often times we don’t set aside enough time.
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father,
For what reason? Paul teaches some important Bible doctrine in previous chapters. If you don’t enjoy prayer or have confidence in prayer you don’t understand Bible doctrine.
4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love
5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—
eph 1.4
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace
11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,
Good Bible Doctrine makes for Good Prayer!
Good Bible Doctrine makes for Good Prayer!
12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.
12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up
At salvation, we are in Christ. What right do you have to call upon a Holy God after the week you had? The answer: I am in Christ!
If you don’t understand this Biblical concept than you will spend all of your time fighting the guilt and shame.
“In Christ” = Clothed, wrapped up, etc…
“We” = the Christians. If you have not accepted Christ and salvation then all that i’m about to teach does not apply to you.
The “we” is me and the “we” is you
Early Church Fathers & Puritans - Recollection: Recollect who you are speaking to and who He is.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.
It doesn’t say, “Enter His gates with your big fat prayer list”
We don’t have to remind our Father, we have to remind ourselves!
(ex: Chloe or Abby coming to me to remind me that they are my daughters)
Even the Birds start the day with a song!
9 “This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
It’s this idea that we can sit on our Father’s lap and talk to him not that he is a big comfy couch. There is an intimate closeness coupled with an awesome respect.
12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.
1. We Have Boldness
1. We Have Boldness
“boldness” - parresia (pär-rā-sē'-ä) it’s the idea that one can have freedom to speak openly and frankley, to speak without having to use figures of speach. It also carries with it a fearless confidence.
Boldness to speak openly & Boldness to speak Plainly!
25 “I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father.
“plainly” (same Greek word used) means that we can speak plainly to God. We don’t use formal language to speak to our spouse, friends or children, so we don’t need to talk that way to God!
Boldness carries with it this idea of being free from any apprehension. We are not thinking about him rejecting
Many people never experience the joy of prayer because prayer is a battle with their conscience (Does God love me, accept me, hear me?) Recitation of all their failure rather than a Recollection of who God is!
We don’t have to wrestle with wether or not we will be accepted, or whether not God hears our prayers, we can come Boldly!
16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.
18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.
2. We Have Access
2. We Have Access
2. We Have Access
2. We Have Access
12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.
18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.
This is a big concept to Paul. This idea of “Access.”
The idea of “approach” in carries with it the idea of “drawing near” or “visit more often”
This is different from the commonly used word for approach, because it carries with it the idea of introduction. (Like meeting someone who is well known but we have never met them)
(ex: introducing Jennifer to Chloe and Abby)
The minute we were saved, Jesus introduced us to the Father. (We don’t have to introduce ourselves to the Father every time we come into His presence)
3. We Have Confidence
3. We Have Confidence
What should I be confident about? Confident that He hears us! Confident that He cares! Confident that He answers!
13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
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.
matthew 18.
14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
I believe that He hears, but I don’t know if He cares:
1 You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father,
15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.
16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,
18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,
19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,
21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
17 For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father,
15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.
16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior.
Next week: Plugging into the Power of Prayer Part 2
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father,
For what reason?
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father,
15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.
16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,
18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,
19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,
21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.
15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.
16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.
18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.
19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.
20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned
21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.
Ephesians 1. Introduction to the Prayer (14–15)
The basis of Paul’s prayer was his knowledge of God’s purpose. This means he confidently prayed according to God’s will. We can’t pray effectively if we do not have insight into God’s purpose and will.
“I kneel or I bow my knee” = this is the position of utmost humility and it was in contrast to the more normal posture of prayer - standing and hands raised up to heaven.
Ephesians 1. Introduction to the Prayer (14–15)
The humility came when he considered God’s great eternal plan, his place in that plan, and how God’s work is unstoppable even when Paul was imprisoned.
16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,
18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,
19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,
21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Closing Challenge
Closing Challenge
1. A week of prayer and fasting leading up to Evangelist Luke Holter (September 7th & 8th)
2. Pray for greater boldness to witness and invite others to church.
3. Pray for salvation, Holy Spirit Baptism, miracles & supernatural healing
4. Pray for GCA to have great impact on our region