PARTNERING IN PRAYER
Selected Passages from Acts
October 31, 1999
Morning Service
INTRODUCTION
I. The Power of Prayer
A. San Francisco General Hospital study
1. Cardiology Dept. – Dr. Randy Byrd
a.) Patients were divided into two groups
1.) 192 patients were in the Prayed for group
2.) 201 patients were in the Not prayed for group
b.) All patients were in the coronary ICU
2. No one on staff was given the group information
3. Prayer groups were given information
a.) Prayer groups were scattered across the country
b.) First names of patients and their diagnoses were all that was given to the groups
B. The dramatic results
1. The prayed for group
a.) Significantly fewer complications
b.) Significantly fewer deaths
2. The not prayed for group
a.) Five times more likely to have infections
b.) Three times more likely to have lung condition that would cause heart failure
C. Final conclusions
1. Prayer really works!
2. If secular hospitals can make use of prayer – Why shouldn’t we as the church use prayer to our greatest advantage?
II. The Church needs to be effective
A. We are God’s people and His representatives in this community
1. People are dying and going to Hell – Eternal separation from God
2. We are to make an eternal impact on this world – This is not a choice
B. The purpose of the church
1. The church must do four things to become and maintain health
a.) Win the lost
b.) Build strong believers
c.) Equip workers for service
d.) Multiply shepherd leaders
2. The key to being effective for God is starting with prayer
BODY
I. Our Accountability to one another increases
“They all joined together constantly in prayer” Acts 1:14a
A. Praying together creates a community of accountability
1. We are accountable to members of our community
2. Worship and prayer will bond people together like glue
3. God moves when His people pray
a.) The church becomes closer as God draws nearer
b.) The church becomes more faithful as God does His work
B. Praying for others contributes to our accountability
Quote – “There is nothing that makes us love a person so much as prayer for them.” – Wm. Law
1. We are accountable to Christ
2. We are accountable to the church
II. Our Availability to God increases
“They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:42
A. We are to devote ourselves to prayer
1. Prayer must be a vital part of our lives
If the request is wrong, God says “No”
If the timing is wrong, God says “Slow”
If you are wrong, God says “Grow”
But if the request is right, the timing is right and you are right, God says “Go” – Bill Hybels
2. Our dedication to prayer reveals our devotion to God
Quote: “Our failure to think of prayer as a privilege may be partly due to the fact that we can pray any time. The door to prayer is open so continuously that we fail to avail ourselves of an opportunity which is always there.” – Harry Emerson Fosdick
B. We make ourselves available when we pray
1. Prayer allows us to take the pains of earth to the doors of heaven
2. Prayer allows God to speak in our lives
a.) When we pray we totally belong to god
b.) We are to focus and tune in to God
Quote: What a man is on his knees before God, that he is, and nothing more – Robert Murray McCheyne
III. Our Ability to minister increases
“After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.” Acts 4:31
A. Prayer unleashes the power of God
Quote: “The ‘detonator’ that churches lack today is prayer. It has the power to ignite the dynamite of the Gospel and powerfully shake the world.” – John Maxwell
1. We tap the power of God when we pray
2. Prayer takes us to another level in our ability
B. Prayer unleashes the resources of God
1. We call upon the limitless resources of God when we pray
Quote: Prayer is the key that unlocks all the storehouses of God’s infinite grace and power. All that God is, and all that God has is at the disposal of prayer.” – R.A. Torrey
2. We allow God to prove His power and His provision when we pray
C. Prayer unleashes the love of God
1. When we pray for Gods love influences us
2. When we pray for others Gods love influences them
IV. Our Adaptability to Gods plan increases
“Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” Acts 6:3-4
“They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.” Acts 6:6
A. Prayer helps make us receptive to God
1. We can only adapt to God’s plan when we know it
2. We must be ready and willing for prayer to change and transform us
Quote: “If you start praying for your leaders today, there’s no telling what may happen in your church tomorrow” – John Maxwell
B. Prayer helps us reach our maximum potential
1. Praying lifts the lid on our lives
Quote: “Keep praying, but be thankful that god’s answers are wiser than your prayers.” Wm. Culbertson
2. Prayer develops our relationship with God
Quote: “Pray as if everything depends on God, then work as if everything depends on you” – Martin Luther
CONCLUSION
1. Prayer develops deeper relationships
A. Prayer brings us closer to Christ
B. Prayer brings us closer to one another
2. Prayer is the single most important factor for church growth
Acts 6:7
A. A church without prayer is a church without a future
B. Could the lack of effectiveness in the church be from a lack of prayer?
3. Prayer is spiritual fuel for ministry
A. One thing this church greatly lacks is a concerted effort in prayer
B. Prayer is the greatest tool for church growth
4. God is on the move
A. Every great movement of God starts with prayer
Quote: Whenever God determines to do a great work, He first sets His people to praying – Charles Spurgeon
B. God wants to move in your life and the life of this church
C. Now is the time to act
1. Stop waiting for the ideal conditions to step out for God
2. Partner with the church today
