Prayer.

INTRODUCTION

John 15:5 NIV

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

When it comes to prayer many of us have an idea what it is. I remember growing up I would see my family specifically my mom , grandmother and aunts pray. For some reason it was embedded in me that God hears prayers, and not that God only hears prayers but prayer changes things.

There are a few things that we learn from the text I just read .

Jesus is the Vine. ( He is our Source)

When it comes to prayer we think God is only interested in just our spiritual side of life.

God is interested in every part of your life.

He is is interested about things that :

worry you

your job

family

feelings

money etc.

You are the branches. Branches are not the source , they are depended on the vine for everything.

unfruitful to fruitful.

Lack of proper Nourishment will cause unfruitfulness

poor supply of water or nutrients will destroy the vine (the connection to the source).

Principle: If Christ life and love do not flow in us we will be spiritually unproductive.

Disease

How: insects and disease move from dead wood into healthy plants.

Principle: Ongoing sin and unresolved past issues will lead to spiritual ineffectiveness.

Immature Branches

New branches require several years of pruning before they can produce.

We need time to grow. Growth may involve suffering. Consistency is the key.

Improper pruning

A wise gardener knows what to remove in order to bring about fruitfulness.

Our priorities and the focus of our energies must be guided by Christ and his Word, not our own wisdom and desires.

No Gardener

Vines and branches need constant attention.

Resistance to God guidance and pruning leads to unfruitfulness.

Separated from the Vine.

Branches need to be attached to a healthy root stock.

We must not think for a moment that we are capable of surviving apart from Jesus Christ and his Church. He is the giver and sustainer of life.

ADORATION ( THE POWER OF WORSHIP)

worship confuses the enemy.

CONFESSION ( THE POWER OF CONFESSION)

THANKSGIVING ( THE POWER OF GRATITUDE )

The 10 lepers that got healed but only one came back to give thanks and praise.

SUPPLICATION ( THE POWER OF INTERCESSION)