When The Church Prays, Something Happens
Intro: Prayers in the Bible
1.Jesus in Gethsemane
2.Jesus prays for the disciples (Jn 17)
3.Jesus on the Cross (Father, Forgive them...)
4.Stephen stoning (Forgive them...)
5.Moses prays on Mt. Sinai (10 Commandments)
Explanation:
Ch. 15
Jerusalem Council
Barnabus splits from Paul to take John Mark, Paul takes Silas
Ch. 16
Timothy has joined Paul and Silas for 2nd missionary journey
Paul not allowed to go to Asia to preach
Lydia baptized by Paul
What happens when the church prays?
I.There is an abiding sense of unity.
1.9/11 (everyone wanted to help)
2.p. 208 (Chairman of the board praying)
II.God hears the prayers of the righteous.
1.II Chronicles 7:14
2.p. 203 (Michael Jordan's Salary)
III.God acts on behalf of His followers.
1.p. 205 (Plane Crash/Black Box)
Conclusion: When the church prays there is an abiding sense of unity because God hears the prayers of the righteous and acts on their behalf.
Benediction: The Prayer of St. Patrick
I establish myself today in:
The power of God to guide me, The might of God to uphold me, The wisdom of God to teach me, The eye of God to watch over me, The ear of God to hear me, The word of God to speak to me, The hand of God to protect me, The way of God to lie before me, The shield of God to shelter me, The hosts of God to defend me, Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ within me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ at my right, Christ at my left, Christ in breadth, Christ in length, Christ in height, Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the the mouth of every man who speaks to me, Christ in the ear of every man who hears me.
Confident in Christ, Amen.
