THE CHURCH THAT PRAYS TOGETHER

Introduction

-{Acts—various passages}

-You may have heard the phrase that the family that prays together stays together. We can change that phrase up a bit to fit our circumstance, in that the church that prays together stays together.

~I have been doing a summer sermon series on prayer, and today I want to talk about praying as a church—something that, as a pastor, I have been very negligent about. Because not only are we to pray as individuals, we also pray together about church issues and needs.

-It is important for the church to pray as the church and about the church.

~In his book entitled LIFE-CHANGING PRAYER, pastor and author Jim Cymbala talks about a church named Third Street Church that had been struggling with their budget for ten years. They simply could not afford to pay the pastor, keep up the building, support three missionaries out in the field, and pay the utilities. The pastor had tried everything to improve the situation.

He had hired a church fundraising company to do an extensive capital campaign. He had preached a three-week series on generosity and tithing. He had appealed to denominational headquarters for financial support and applied for a couple of grants. He had pressured the congregation with sermons and emails about the plight of the church. He had tried to inspire them with examples of people who had given sacrificially.

In a desperate effort to break through to his congregational members, the pastor had even threatened to save them money by packing up and moving to serve another congregation. Now, he was at the end of his rope. He had tried—and failed—at every attempt to move the church forward and unleash the finances needed for their ministry.

Well, almost every attempt.

One day, the pastor had a radical idea. What if he began his days on his knees seeking God rather than pacing his office worrying? What if the board meetings were not focused on problem solving but on spending time before the throne of grace together? What if he called the entire congregation to enter a season of prayer for the power of the Holy Spirit to invade their church, their hearts, and their lives? What if every ministry wove prayer into its gathering . . . for the work, power, and inbreaking of God?

After ten years of trying everything else, the pastor decided to lead his congregation to the throne of grace!

-What a novel idea—a church that prays. While we in the 21st century might find it to be a novel idea, it was absolutely central in the beginning years of the church—and we read about the results.

-The book of Acts tells us about the early church, and what we find is that they knew the importance of prayer and they made it a priority in their assemblies.

-And the lesson we learn is that the modern church needs to return to times of corporate prayer if it wishes to see God work in powerful ways.

-While the book of Acts is replete with examples of the early church praying, and so many lessons could be learned, we will focus in on three particular passages and see what lessons it gives and talk about the results from those times of prayer to teach us how to pray, what to pray, and what to look forward to when we actually pray

READ ACTS 2:42-47

Acts 2:42–47 ESV

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

-This passage takes place right after Pentecost and Peter’s great sermon in the temple area that led so many people to Christ. It gives us a glimpse of what the early church looked like.

-It describes a close fellowship that shared life together—a life that was centered on God’s Word for guidance, but they also knew where their power and encouragement came from==it came from approaching the throne of grace. So, what we learn about the church…

Lessons:

*The congregation was devoted to prayer

-The word there for devoted speaks of a constancy, a persistence, a diligence. Prayer for them was not an afterthought nor a mere formality—the way you may start a service or end a service. It was something that they consistently did as they shared life together.

-Sharing life together meant that they knew the needs within the church family and could join their brothers and sisters in praying for those needs. They knew that God is a God that answers prayer and would meet these needs according to His will and wisdom.

-This was the mark of the church from the beginning. It tells us right at the beginning of the book:

All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. (Acts 1:14 ESV)

-When we have a favorite TV show, we devote ourselves to watching the latest episode as soon as we can. When we have a favorite musician, we devote ourselves to getting their latest album as soon as it comes out. When we have a favorite sport, we devote ourselves to watching the game while it’s on.

-But where is our devotion to prayer? Do we not want to see God move in our midst? Do we want to continue with the same ole same ole? Or can we devote ourselves to something of more significant value?

*Prayer was part of a wholistic ministry

-Prayer was not the only thing that they did as a church, but it was an important part. They didn’t lean too heavy one way or another with what it is that they did, but made it part of the fabric of the existence of their assembly. They heard the Word and fellowshipped and worshipped and they prayed. It was a wholistic ministry.

-Part of our problem is that we have so structured our services that we’ve programmed prayer right out of them—it’s not wholistic. Another part of our problem is that we’ve programmed ourselves to expect services to last this long and not any longer that we give no room for God to work or the Spirit to move in response to prayer.

~We come with the attitude of OK let’s sing some songs, endure a sermon, and let’s get to lunch. We don’t want to pray because God might actually answer the prayer and church might go a little long—and that’s a cardinal sin.

-To promote healthy eating the USDA created the food pyramid which tells you how much of what you are supposed to eat in order to have a balanced diet.

~Well, the church can have a ministry pyramid for a balanced spiritual diet, and prayer is definitely an important part of it. And when it is, you see the results they saw.

Results:

*The church had a good reputation

-The passage says that the church had favor with all the people. Because they were a well-balanced, prayed-up people, they had a spectacular reputation in the community. Even unbelievers could tell that there was something different about this group—they had a spirit about them that was winsome and attractive, and prayer was an important part of shaping that.

-When was the last time we prayed that Harvest Baptist Church have such a winsomeness about it that the community takes notice? When was the last time we prayed that God would so grant us favor in the eyes of our neighbors that they can do nothing but commend us to God and man?

~What a result—to have the people outside the church take notice of God’s work inside the church because the people inside the church consistently approached the throne of grace?...

*God saved sinners and added to the church

-Our passage says that God added to their number day by day those who were being saved. The church was a community of prayer with God at work in their midst, and the community found their lifestyle so attractive and their spirit so inviting that they heard the gospel message and were saved. It says that they were added DAILY.

-Can you imagine there being a time when someone is getting saved every day because we have prayed to God that it would be so? When was the last time we prayed that people be saved? We won’t see people saved and baptized if we don’t pray for it to be so. The early church did and they saw more fruit in a day than most churches do in a decade….If that doesn’t convince you about prayer:

READ ACTS 4:23-31

Acts 4:23–31 ESV

23 When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, 25 who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, “ ‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? 26 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed’— 27 for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. 29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

-Peter and John were arrested and grilled by the Sanhedrin but were eventually let go. They returned to the church and the first thing that they did was pray. And I want you to notice this lesson about their prayer:

Lesson:

*The congregation was united in purpose

-First, I want to emphasize the unity of the church. They were united. There was not selfishness getting in the way. There was no gossip and backbiting and fighting. The devil knows that to stop prayer and the power of prayer, he just needs to sow division. But unity is a prerequisite to powerful prayer.

-But then notice what they prayed. They had just experienced persecution, but they didn’t pray against the persecution—in fact, they see it as a fulfillment of Scripture. They didn’t pray for God to avenge them. They didn’t pray for a change of circumstance. They prayed for boldness to speak the word.

-The church was united in one purpose and they prayed according to that united purpose—that they would be bold in sharing the gospel…that they would share the truth no matter the consequences that might come their way. And because the church prayed that way what were the results:

Results:

*Supernatural power was displayed

-It says that the place where they were gathered together was shaken—I mean literally. They place literally shook. I know sometimes the wind will get under the wood paneling in our ceiling and it sounds like the place is being shaken, but that’s just wind. For them, it was God.

-It was God demonstrating His mighty power in their midst in a supernatural way—a way of saying that His supernatural power was with them. We don’t see the supernatural because we don’t really believe the supernatural anymore and we aren’t prayed up enough for God to do anything supernatural. But prayed-up churches see God’s power in their midst.

*They were filled with the Holy Spirit

-It says it right there in v. 31 that they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Not only was God’s power evidenced outside of them, but then they received God’s power inside of them.

-To be filled of the Holy Spirit isn’t a matter of getting more of the Holy Spirit because when you are saved the Holy Spirit indwells you and you get all the Holy Spirit that there is within you, and this happens once at salvation.

~The filling of the Holy Spirit is an empowering—an anointing—that can be experienced over and over again. It is where the Spirit empowers because it has control and influence in your life.

~Their prayer showed that they were submitted to God fully and ready to receive their marching orders.

*They received an answer to prayer

-They received the answer because they prayed and they expected God to answer. And God answered their prayer almost immediately.

~They prayed that God would give them boldness in the Word of God. And what does it say at the end of v. 31: THEY CONTINUED TO SPEAK THE WORD OF GOD WITH BOLDNESS

-They weren’t going to let a little persecution get in the way of what God wanted to do through them. They knew they were commissioned to share the gospel, and they prayed they’d be empowered to share the gospel. And they received the filling and received the boldness. God answered their prayer.

-God won’t answer the prayer that is not given. And so we have lots to pray for.

~I want to briefly look at one more small passage…

READ ACTS 13:1-3

Acts 13:1–3 ESV

1 Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 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.” 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

-For the most part, except in chapter 9, the book of Acts had focused on the ministry of Peter and the initial apostles. But now the focus changes to Paul and his missionary journeys. But we first see the call placed on him and Barnabas, but it came as an answer to prayer…

Lesson:

*The congregation sought direction and empowerment for ministry

-The church at Antioch worshipped the Lord and part of their worship was prayer and fasting. Although it doesn’t explicitly mention prayer in v. 2, it is implied because it is always coupled with fasting.

-The Holy Spirit answered their prayer. By the answer that is given we can deduce what it is that they were praying for. They were praying that God would direct their church to what His will was for them and to empower them to fulfill it.

-Not every church can be everything to everybody. They were praying that God would allow them to fulfill their ministry in a way pleasing to Him.

Results:

*The church received clarity of mission

-The Holy Spirit answered them and said to set aside Saul and Barnabas for the work of going into uncharted waters (so to speak) and share the gospel and plant churches.

-They received clarity that they were going to be a church that sent out and supported missionaries. And what did the church do in response? They prayed again. They prayed over Saul and Barnabas for boldness of word and empowerment and direction of where to go and they sent them on their way.

-The church prayed for clarity, they got clarity, and so they prayed again that they would fulfill what had been revealed to them.

-A church that seeks the face of God in prayer looking for direction will find that direction and be equipped to follow through. But without prayer, a church will just flail around, doing a lot of action but not accomplishing much. Again, prayer is the key.

Conclusion

-I want to close considering this: Jesus, in quoting the OT, didn’t say that God’s house would be known as a house of preaching. He did not say that God’s house would be known as a house of singing. He said His house would be known as a house of prayer. And I don’t have all the answers on how to change it to make this house so, but know this, change will have to come to make it so.

-Robby Gallaty, pastor of Long Hollow Baptist Church around Nashville, had led his church to special times of prayer, and it has led to a revival that has seen hundreds saved and baptized.

~Last Sunday, during one of their services, the power went out. But instead of just ending the service, he called people to use it as a time of prayer, and what he describes is an amazing time of people calling out to God, repenting, and being freed from many burdens.

~All because of prayer.

-May we become such. And so today we are doing the invitation a little different. We are going to just end in silent prayer. After I pray then you spend as much time in prayer as you want, and when you are done just quietly leave. You can pray alone if you want. You can pray at the altar if you want. You can pray as a family. You can find other people to pray with.

~So today, after you pray, just silently leave. If you want to fellowship, just go outside or to the parking lot, but allow those who want to stay and pray that opportunity.

~May this church be known as a house of prayer.

-But I also want to mention, if you’ve never trusted in Jesus Christ, that He died for you, I’ll be up here…