The church woke up to prayer

Introduction:

Herod was Agrippa 1, the grandson of Herod the Great.

James John’s brother not Jesus Brother Act 12:16-17

Prayerless church, a powerless church.

At first

Why Prayer

“Pray for those who persecute you” -Matthew 5:44 (NIV) [1] “And when you pray …” -Matthew 6:5 “This, then, is how you should pray …” -Matthew 6:9 “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” -Romans 12:12 “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” -Ephesians 6:18 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” -Philippians 4:6 “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” -Colossians 4:2 “Pray continually” -1 Thessalonians 5:17 “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone …” -1 Timothy 2:1

“After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray.” -Matthew 14:23 “Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, ‘Sit here while I go over there and pray.'” -Matthew 26:36 “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” -Mark 1:35 “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” -Luke 5:16 “One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.” -Luke 6:12 “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” -Luke 18:1

” … if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” -2 Chronicles 7:14 Isaiah wrote, “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:29-31). Hebrews 4:15-16 reads, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” -1 Timothy 4:8 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” – Matthew 26:41

“Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” -Matthew 18:4

Types of Prayer

The prayer of faith: James 5:15 says, “And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up.” In this context, prayer is offered in faith for someone who is sick, asking God to heal. When we pray, we are to believe in the power and goodness of God (Mark 9:23).

The prayer of agreement (also known as corporate prayer): After Jesus’ ascension, the disciples “all joined together constantly in prayer” (Acts 1:14). Later, after Pentecost, the early church “devoted themselves” to prayer (Acts 2:42). Their example encourages us to pray with others.

The prayer of request (or supplication): We are to take our requests to God. Philippians 4:6 teaches, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Part of winning the spiritual battle is to be “praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication” (Ephesians 6:18).

The prayer of thanksgiving: We see another type of prayer in Philippians 4:6: thanksgiving or thanks to God. “With thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Many examples of thanksgiving prayers can be found in the Psalms.

The prayer of worship: The prayer of worship is similar to the prayer of thanksgiving. The difference is that worship focuses on who God is; thanksgiving focuses on what God has done. Church leaders in Antioch prayed in this manner with fasting: “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off” (Acts 13:2-3).

The prayer of consecration: Sometimes, prayer is a time of setting ourselves apart to follow God’s will. Jesus made such a prayer the night before His crucifixion: “And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will’” (Matthew 26:39).

The prayer of intercession: Many times, our prayers include requests for others as we intercede for them. We are told to make intercession “for everyone” in 1 Timothy 2:1. Jesus serves as our example in this area. The whole of John 17 is a prayer of Jesus on behalf of His disciples and all believers.

The prayer of imprecation: Imprecatory prayers are found in the Psalms (e.g., 7, 55, 69). They are used to invoke God’s judgment on the wicked and thereby avenge the righteous. The psalmists use this type of appeal to emphasize the holiness of God and the surety of His judgment. Jesus teaches us to pray for blessing on our enemies, not cursing (Matthew 5:44-48).

The works of prayer

Put enemy to sleep

Put enemy into confusion

deliver

set free

changes verdict

Church centre point of prayer

Kingdom - Thy kingdom comes

Personal healing -

Leadership - Act 12 - Strike the Shephard and the sheep will scatter.

Prayers against barriers to the kingdom of God. Acts 4:31

Prayers for Direction

Decision Act 1:24; 6:6

Pray for eye of understanding to be opened.

Pray for deliverance - Paul and Silas

A non-praying church is a weak church