How To Pray More Powerfully In 14 Days (Pt. 1)

How To Pray More Powerfully in 14 days

Part 1 of 2 * Luke 11:5-8 (NIV)

April 27, 2003 Chester’s FBC, Chester, IL Mike Fogerson, Speaker

1 Introduction:

A A tavern was being built in a town that had previously been dry. In opposition to the tavern, a group of Christians began an all night prayer meeting and asked God to intervene. Lightning struck the tavern and burned it down.

a The owner then brought a lawsuit against the church and held them responsible. The Christians hired a lawyer and denied responsibility.

b In response to this unusual scenario, the judge said, "No matter how this case comes out, one thing is clear. The tavern owner believes in prayer, and the Christians do not."

*There is a power in prayer!

B The apostles spent 10 days in prayer, 10 minutes preaching and 3,000 people got saved on the day of Pentecost.

a We spend 10 minutes in prayer, 10 days preaching and we haven’t seen 3,000 people saved in 65 years.

b There is power in prayer!

2 We are going to spend the next 2 weeks learning how to pray more powerfully.

(Briefly describe Three Step Strategy to Prayer Ministry)

A Jesus disciples didn’t ask "How" to raise the dead, heal the sick, make the blind to see, make five loaves/2 fish feed 5,000. They said , "Lord, teach us how to pray."

a Luke 11:5-8

5 Then he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, `Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, [6] because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.’ 7 "Then the one inside answers, `Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ [8] I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man’s boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs.

b Jesus taught His followers how to pray with power. (ETS)

B Prayer opens the door for God himself to do his work in us. (ESS)

a I hope you’ll commit yourself to participating in the power behind church growth. (Objective)

b What missing building blocks are stopping you from building a powerful prayer life? (Probing Question)

T.S.: Let’s look at the first three building blocks that make for powerful prayer.

I The first building block that makes powerful prayer is.....URGENT NEED. (vv:5-6)

5 Then he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, `Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, [6] because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.’

A The guest arriving at midnight was mighty hungry.

(Traveling for hours in the mid-eastern sun, he got a late start, the mule wouldn’t start, ran out of water, bread, sand was in his sandals, hair and clothes.)

a It was 12 midnight, not 12 in the afternoon. (Not a perfect time)

b The friend had an immediate need (hunger) and it was pitch dark out. Need was food.

B We are surrounded by people who are living with a need in the pitch darkness.

a We are surrounded by hungry people.

(Hunger for a job,...a marriage to work,...peace,...friendship,...to be shown they are loved.)

b God has sent them to our house!!!!

*It’s dark out there! It’s not a convenient time for many of you!

*Prayer. God’s not waiting for your prayers to be perfect for you to pray.

C A little boy stayed with his grandma/grandpa every Saturday night and went to church with them on Sunday morning.

a He stayed awake until 12 o’clock and counted the chimes of the ol’grandfather clock.

*This Saturday night it rang 13 times. The little boy came running into his grandparents room as said, "It’s later than it’s ever been."

b Church, it’s later than it’s ever been and God has sent people who are hungry to us.

*There is an urgent need for prayer!

T.S.: To have prayer that’s powerful it starts with an urgent need that leads to the next block.

II The second building block that makes powerful prayer is...WILLING LOVE. (v:5)

5 Then he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, `Friend, lend me three loaves of bread,

A The host was willing to leave the comfort of his warm bed to show love to his late night guest.

a Lights were out, kids were in bed, dogs were settled, resting well...and his ol’ high school buddy shows up.