THE POWER OF STOPPING AND PRAYING

My Conviction

Seminary first day, 100 pages to read of baptist history, watch dings prayer request for deputies, but i ignore it in my busyness.

When God gives you an opportunity to pray do you stop or continue in the busyness of life?

Power Of Prayer

Prayer changes everything

Christians don’t pray much in the grand scheme of things. 48% of adult Christians say they pray on a daily basis

Even less teenage Christians pray on a daily basis at 27%

Are you making prayer a priority in your life?

Scripture teaches us that even Jesus made prayer a priority and when the disciples had the opportunity to ask Jesus anything they decided to ask him how to pray.

1 John 5:14 CSB

14 This is the confidence we have before him: If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

As a Christian we have confidence that God hears our prayers

Sometimes God works in ways that we don’t understand, but we are confident that he works.

Our prayers reach God, he doesn’t have a junk mail box

Background

Peter and John and other believers were being persecuted. The Jerusalem Christians would respond to this with prayer and praise for continued boldness when sharing the faith and seeking to bring Christ glory. This passage is what happens next and it’s awesome!

Acts 4:31–37 CSB

31 When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God boldly. 32 Now the entire group of those who believed were of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but instead they held everything in common. 33 With great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was on all of them. 34 For there was not a needy person among them because all those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the proceeds of what was sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet. This was then distributed to each person as any had need. 36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus by birth, the one the apostles called Barnabas (which is translated Son of Encouragement), 37 sold a field he owned, brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Prayer causes Christians to be Bold

Prayer causes Christians to be of one heart and mind

Prayer causes Christians to be selfless and not selfish

Unifying in prayer is so powerful that it literally shook this house

Prayer is a direct reflection of our thankfulness for Christ sacrifice

JUST STOP

That same day i took Elaine out to eat and we drove by an accident of two cars. It was horrible. The firefighters in the truck all appeared to be looking down, but in reality they were praying. Sometimes we need to stop and pray. Our prayer is powerful plea to a powerful God.

What is getting your attention off of God and off of prayer?

Sports

Academics

Livestock showing

Friends

Work

School

All of these things

Whatever it is for you we are gonna stop right now and pray. Maybe this is the only time you have stopped and prayed in longer than you can remember

Conclusion

Maybe right now you are finally getting the opportunity to see the things around you that Christ has put there

Maybe you’re a Christian, but you haven’t been living your life according to his will for it.

Maybe you feel touched by todays message, but you don’t know what to do next.

Maybe today you want to begin following the powerful redeemer that changes every aspect of our lives.

If any of these are you, every head is bowed. You can just raise your hand and I will privately talk you through how you are feeling