The Praying Church

However, we should not need a presidential proclamation to get us to pray. We should already be a people of prayer; we should be a church that prays. We should simply follow the example that has already been set by our Lord Jesus, by the first century church and by the Apostle Paul.

The Example of Christ

Matthew 14:23 KJV 1900

And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

Mark 1:35 KJV 1900

And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

Luke 5:16 KJV 1900

And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.

Jesus Christ prayed.

The Example of the First Century Church

Turn to and read Acts 1:12-14.

In Acts 12:5 we read:

Acts 12:5 KJV 1900

Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

As we saw last week, regarding the church in Antioch...

Acts 13:3 KJV 1900

And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

The local churches in the first century were churches that prayed!

The Example of the Apostle Paul

The Apostle Paul Prayed

Romans 1:9 KJV 1900

For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;

Ephesians 1:15–16 KJV 1900

Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

Colossians 1:9 KJV 1900

For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

1 Thessalonians 1:2 KJV 1900

We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;

The Apostle Paul taught Christians to Pray

1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV 1900

Pray without ceasing.

Philippians 4:6–7 KJV 1900

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

We should follow these examples!

Tonight, we are going to take the opportunity to follow the examples that have been left for us by Christ, by the first century church, and by the Apostle Paul; we are going to take the opportunity to pray.

Tonight, let’s pray for the following:

Pray that Christ would be exalted and would receive the glory.

Pray that our country would humble itself before God and seek his forgiveness.

Pray for peace “in the midst of the storm.”

Pray that souls will be receptive to the Gospel message.

Pray that our leaders would have wisdom.

Pray for God’s protection.

Pray for God’s provision.

Pray that we, as a church, would have the opportunity to serve others.

I am reminded of - and challenged by - something that E.M. Bounds wrote:

“This is not a praying age; it is an age of great activity, of great movements, but one in which the tendency is very strong to stress the seen and the material and to neglect and discount the unseen and the spiritual.”