Lesson 1 (Prayer Partners): Prayer Partners Series

Prayer Partners Series

By

Elmer Towns

Lesson 1: Prayer Partners

A. ILLUSTRATIONS

1. “If two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything, that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 18:19).

2. Charles Finney, Abel Clary. Second Great Awakening.

3. D. L. Moody, Marianne Adland. 1872 English Revival.

4. Billy Graham, J. Edwin Orr. 1949 Los Angeles Crusade.

5. John Maxwell, Bill Klassen. 1981 Skyline Wesleyan Church growth.

6. Jerry Falwell, Bro. Worley. 1970 Thomas Road Baptist Church.

B. WHY THE POWER OF TWO?

1. Strength. A bundle of sticks cannot be broken, i.e., “A threefold cord cannot be broken” (Ecc. 4:12).

2. Encouragement. “For if one falls down, his friend can lift him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up” (Ecc. 4:10 NIV).

3. Success. “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their work” (Ecc. 4:9 NIV).

4. Defense. “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves” (Ecc. 4:11 NIV).

5. Faith added to faith. “If two of you shall agree” (Matt. 18:19). “From faith to faith” (Rom. 1:17). “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he that cometh to God, must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him” (Heb. 11:6).

6. Overcomes our limitations. “The eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of thee” (I Cor. 12:21).

C. ASK FOR PRAYER PARTNERS

1. Reciprocate. Paul prays for Thessalonians, “Making mention of you in our prayers” (I Thess. 1:2). Then requests, “Brethren pray for us” (I Thess 5:25).

2. Specific. Paul wanted to come and see the Romans, so he requested, “That ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me . . . that I may come with joy . . .” (Rom 15:30,32).

3. Protection. Paul faced death, “We had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should . . . trust in God which raiseth the dead, who delivered us from so great a death . . . ye also helping together by prayer for us” (II Cor. 1:9-11).

4. Deliverance. In prison Paul writes, “For I know this will turn out for my salvation through your prayer” (Phil. 1:19).

5. Prepare. Paul wants Philemon to prepare a guest room for him. “Prepare me also a lodging for I trust that through your prayers I shall be granted to you” (Philemon 22).

D. TWO GREATEST INTERCESSORS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT: MOSES AND SAMUEL

“The Lord said to me, ‘Even if Moses and Samuel were to stand before me (in Intercession), my heart would not go out to this people’” (Jer.15:1).

1. Moses won a battle by prayer. “When Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: but when he let it down his hand, Amelek prevailed” (Ex. 17:11).

2. Moses saved a nation by prayer. “God said, ‘Let me alone that My wrath may burn hot against them, and I may consume them’” (Ex. 32:10). Moses prayed, “Yet now, if you will forgive their sin – if not; I pray blot me out of your book” (Ex. 32:32). “The Lord relented of the evil which He thought to do unto His people” (Ex. 32:14).

3. Samuel prayed for revival. The people said, “Do not cease to cry out to the Lord our God for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines” (I Samuel 7:8).

4. Samuel prayed for God’s work. “Far be it for me that I shall sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for us” (I Samuel 12:23).

E. HOW TO FIND A PRAYER PARTNER

1. Pray with the most obvious person. “Husbands, dwell with them . . . the wife . . . as being heirs together that your prayers be not hindered”

(I Peter 3:7).

2. Ask God to give you a prayer partner.

3. Pray for the person you want to be your prayer partner.

4. Pray with those who serve with you.

5. Go ask them to be your prayer partner. “Ye have not because ye ask not” (James 4:2).

6. Share with them the burden of your heart.

7. Share with them request for prayer.

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.