Worship Through Prayer Acts 2:42 May 21, 2017

Prayer The early church was a praying church. Acts 4:24-31 This illustrates the great power of prayer. The church today needs to pray with the same fervency.

The Character of Prayer

What is Prayer? 1 Timothy 2:1-3 – Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,

What is Prayer? Consists of 4 elements: Supplications – indicates reference before sovereignty Prayers – expresses the idea of requesting things Intercessions – idea of trying to obtain something for another Thanksgivings – giving of thanks

The Character of Prayer The Circumstance of Prayer

Where and When to Pray In the assembly 1 Timothy 2:8 - I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 Acts 20:36 – And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.

Where and When to Pray Around the Table Matthew 14:19 –Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes. Matthew 15:36 – And He took the seven loaves and the fish and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitude. 1 Timothy 4:4-5 – For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; 5 for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

Where and When to Pray In Private Devotion Mark 6:46 – And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray. Luke 22:41 – And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and prayed, Ephesians 1:16 – do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: 1 Thessalonians 5:17 – pray without ceasing,

Prayer The Character of Prayer The Circumstance of Prayer The Context of Prayer

What to Pray For? Address God the Father Matthew 6:9 – In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Colossians 3:17 - And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

What to Pray For Body Philippians 4:6 – Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

Prayer The Character of Prayer The Circumstance of Prayer The Context of Prayer The Consequences of Prayer

Results of Prayer Physical James 5:15-18 - And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.

Results of Prayer Spiritual Philippians 4:6-7 - Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Prayer The Character of Prayer The Circumstance of Prayer The Context of Prayer The Consequences of Prayer

Conclusion Matthew 7:7-11 - "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

Invitation Non - Christians Hear – Romans 10:17, Acts 18:8, Believe – Romans. 10:9-10, Hebrews 11:6 Repent – Luke 13:3,5 Acts 17:30 Confess – Acts 8:37, Matthew 10:32 Be Baptized – Acts 2:38, Romans 6:3-5 Be Faithful – Revelation 2:10, Hebrews 10:35

Repent - Acts 8:22, Revelation 2:5 Invitation Christians Repent - Acts 8:22, Revelation 2:5 Confess - James 5:16, 1 John 1:9 Pray - Acts 8:24, James 5:16