The Importance of Prayer Text: Acts 19: 11-17
Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them. 13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.” 14 Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so. 15 And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?” 16 Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17 This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. 18 And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds. 19 Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.
Here’s my question, " Are you known in Hell?" These men from Ephesus tried to cast out a demon without first hand knowledge and love for Jesus Christ; moreover, without the power of prayer! We need to take note that these were religious men, but religion without relation is nothing but bondage! When men and women have the real Spiritual goods they are Spiritually ready for anything! No one in this church can afford to have second-hand information about Jesus Christ.
Vs. 13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.”
Needless to say, the evil Spirit promptly gave these folk a good old-fashioned whipping as it said, “ I recognize Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?”
Hopefully heaven knows who you are, but I ask again “do demons?” Can I tell you that what we do on our knees will push back the kingdom of darkness!
Andrew Murray, the South African church leader and writer a century ago wrote, “ The man who mobilizes the Christian church to pray will make the greatest contribution to world evangelization in history!”
Some feel as though prayer is up to a few who are super spiritual, but nowhere in the Bible is prayer called one of the Spiritual gifts. No, prayer is a personal discipline that has to be done by every believer!
Ephesians 6:10-13 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
If we aren’t willing to put on the whole armor of God we won’t stand strong at the end!
Here’s a command to every believer who wants to be a successful Christian: It’s found in vs. 14-18 Wear truth, put on the breastplate of righteousness, keep your feet shod with the gospel of peace, take the shield of faith, wear the helmet of salvation, and hold the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God and pray always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.
Spurgeon once said, “ I would rather teach one man to pray than ten men to preach.”
No church is going to grow strong and healthy without the inhale/exhale rhythm of prayer; without prayer we shrivel!
Mark 11:17 Then He taught, saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’”
Like Jesus and Paul we too must have and keep a great knowledge of God through prayer. Plus through prayer revelation is given. If we don’t pray we won’t see miracles!
Acts 19: 17-20 17 This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. 18 And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds. 19 Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.
Hear me, “the lost will take notice when the church does and becomes what she was birthed to do!”
Samuel Chadwick (1860-1932) was a Godly Methodist preacher and college president in England. His words ring as true today as when he wrote them: “ The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work and prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but he trembles when we pray.”
So the question is, “ Does hell know your name?”
“How to Spend an Hour with God” based on a chart by Don Miller
Give 5 minutes each to the following twelve activities:
1. Praise the Lord for who He is (Hebrews 13:15)
2. Pray the word. (Psalm 119:105)
3. Meditate on what you have just read. (Josh. 1:8)
4. Pray in the Spirit. (Jude 20)
5. Confess your sins and shortcomings. (I Jh. 1:8)
6. Intercede for others. (I Sam. 12:18)
7. Listen for God’s voice. (Ps.46:10)
8. Petition God for your own needs. (James 4:2)
9. Pray for your pastor. (I Thess. 5:12-13)
10. Pray for your church. ( Eph. 5:25)
11. Pray for public and corporate leaders. (I Tim. 2:1-8)
12. Give thanks. (Ps. 136).
Sources: NKJ
Andrew Murrey
Charles Spurgern
Samuel Chadwick
Don Miller
