The Praying Church (Part 2)

I. Introduction

What is the Church of Jesus Christ?

• Jesus’ Promise of the Church

• The Apostolic Gospel

• The Body of Christ

• The Apostles' Doctrine (Part 1)

• The Fellowship of the Church

• The Breaking of Bread

The Praying Church (Part 1)

II. The activity of the original church

Acts 2:42 CSB

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.

Definition of “devote” from Louw-Nida: to continue to do something with intense effort, with the possible implication of despite difficulty– ‘to devote oneself to, to keep on, to persist in.’

III. Why does the church need to pray?

A. Prayer is God’s command

B. Jesus modeled a life of prayer

C. We have assurance and access to God’s throne

D. To seek God’s will, way and power

1 Timothy 2:1–6 CSB

First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, a testimony at the proper time.

1) God’s Will

For the church to pray (v.1a)

Everyone to be saved (v.4)

One Mediator (v.5-6)

2) God’s Way:

Pray for Everyone

Petitions- that which is asked with urgency based on presumed need—‘request, plea, prayer.’

Johannes P. Louw and Eugene Albert Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains (New York: United Bible Societies, 1996), 407.

Prayers- to speak to or to make requests of God

Johannes P. Louw and Eugene Albert Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains (New York: United Bible Societies, 1996), 408.

Intercessions- to speak to someone on behalf of someone else—‘to intercede, intercession.’

Johannes P. Louw and Eugene Albert Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains (New York: United Bible Societies, 1996), 427.

Thanksgiving- to express gratitude for benefits or blessings

Johannes P. Louw and Eugene Albert Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains (New York: United Bible Societies, 1996), 427.

Especially those in authority

Internal evidence manifests in external evidence

1 Timothy 2:2 CSB

for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.

We Have peace

Romans 5:1 CSB

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Philippians 4:6–7 CSB

Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Prayer pleases God

1 Timothy 2:3 CSB

This is good, and it pleases God our Savior,

Hebrews 11:6 CSB

Now without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Salvation in Christ Alone

1 Timothy 2:5–6 CSB

For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, a testimony at the proper time.

John 14:6 CSB

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Matthew 20:28 CSB

just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Romans 5:6 CSB

For while we were still helpless, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly.

Romans 5:8 CSB

But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:10–11 CSB

For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life. And not only that, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received this reconciliation.

3) God’s Power:

Confidence

1 jn.5:14-15

1 John 5:14–15 CSB

This is the confidence we have before him: If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears whatever we ask, we know that we have what we have asked of him.