Real Change through Prayer
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Vision: Real Love, Real Change, Real Life.
As an essential part of our vision, real change speaks of the results of God’s work in the life of people—where people are saved from something (hell) and saved to something (heaven) and saved for something (to be His witnesses and worshippers).
Real change involves salvation, holiness, and empowerment. Today, we look at Real Change through Prayer.
When you read God’s written revelation (the Bible), you will discover that prayer is a very important theme.
Prayer reveals the Presence and Work of God
Prayer reveals the Presence and Work of God
Communicating with God.
Relationship with God.
Alignment with God.
Worship of God.
When the people of Israel were set free from slavery in Egypt, God led them to the Promised Land.
Instead of traveling on the International Coastal Highway (the direct way), but through the Wilderness of Sin.
Israel faced enormous obstacles: lack of water and food, hostile bedouin tribes, fear of the future, and the longing to go back to Egypt.
Text: Exodus 17:8-13
Text: Exodus 17:8-13
8 Then Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim.
9 So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose for us men, and go out and fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.”
10 So Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.
11 Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed.
12 But Moses’ hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.
13 And Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the sword.
The people of Amalek are descendants of Esau.
Rephidim is a place located on the southern part of the Sinai Peninsula.
This passage is the first time Joshua is mentioned in the Scripture. Joshua leads the army of Israel.
Israel engages in a battle with Amalek.
Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up on a hill overseeing the battle.
The Scripture connects the battle with Moses—with the posture of his hands. Here, Moses’ hands raised illustrated prayerful intercession for the army of Israel.
Hands raised: the battle went well with Israel.
Hands lowered: Israel was losing.
Prayer is Vital in Spiritual Warfare
Prayer is Vital in Spiritual Warfare
Prayer changed the outcome.
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
Prayer proved to be the deciding factor in Israel’s victory.
Prayer will prove to be the deciding factor in your spiritual battles.
11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.
13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
Our welfare, future, and home is dependent on our prayer life—a prayer life that seeks God will all of our hearts!
God uses prayer as a tool to help us learn the vital lessons of depending on and trusting in Him.
Transition:
Another factor in Israel’s triumph over Amalek is Aaron and Hur—who stood beside Moses to assist in the ministry of prayer and intercession.
People United in Prayer and Intercession is Vital in Effective Praying
People United in Prayer and Intercession is Vital in Effective Praying
Aaron and Hur demonstrated the value of praying together.
Moses could not do it alone.
Effective praying is work—and can be spiritually, emotionally, and physically exhausting.
Moses needed Aaron and Hur to maintain intercession.
Jesus said:
19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.
20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
Jesus gives five powerful principles of effective praying in these two verses:
1. There is power as people pray together.
1. There is power as people pray together.
We learn from one another.
When people pray together, the discipline of prayer is established—and with it we become consistent and persistent in our prayer life.
Praying together fosters accountability. We can become selfish and self-serving in our prayers. We need others to point out when we stray away from biblical praying.
2. There is power in agreement.
2. There is power in agreement.
When people agree in prayer, it builds our faith and confidence to believe God can do the impossible.
Agreement in prayer encourages people to think carefully what they are asking God. It provides the opportunity to ask the question: “Is this appropriate?”
Agreement is used by the Holy Spirit to confirm that God is at work through our prayers.
When we agree, we engage together in the work of God.
3. There is power in asking.
3. There is power in asking.
James 4:2, the Scripture says “You do not have, because you do not ask.”
Asking reveals our faith in God: 1 John 5:15 “And this is the confidence that we have toward him [God], that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.”
Jesus calls us to unite in asking. We need to bring our petitions to God.
The Apostle Paul instructs the Christian to pray “at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication (Eph 6:18).
4. There is power in Christ’s Name.
4. There is power in Christ’s Name.
The name of Jesus represents His character and authority.
When we pray in the name of Jesus, we are offering our requests that are consistent with His will—and we demonstrate our complete trust in His authority to fulfill His will.
5. There is power in Christ’s presence.
5. There is power in Christ’s presence.
We are not alone.
When we are united in prayer—and praying prayers that are consistent with Christ’s character and authority, we can know He is present with us.
The King of kings and the Lord of lords with with us as we engage in the activity of intercessory prayer.
Real Change through Prayer
Real Change through Prayer
Prayer is essential in experiencing real change in your life.
Life controlling issues that hold you captive requires prayer.
This kind of prayer must be persistent. Don’t quit. It is hard work.
Surround yourself with people who know how to pray. United prayer that is consistent with the character and authority of Christ will break down strongholds in your life.
Pray the Scripture. The Bible is God’s revelation—and the proper use of His Word to remind you of His promises can establish your faith and trust in God’s ability to change your life.