Prayer Partnerships
Selected Passages
September 21, 2002
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
I. Our Accountability to one another increases
“They all joined together constantly in prayer” Acts 1:14a
A. Praying together creates an atmosphere of accountability
1. We are called to be “joined together”
a.) The early church was totally united in spirit, in mind and in purpose. The original meaning of joined together was to have oneness of heart
b.) When we partner together in prayer, God begins to bind us together. The bonds of prayer and praise create strength within a church.
2. God moves when His people pray
a.) The church becomes more “tight knit” as God draws us near to Him
b.) The church grows in faith as God does His work
c.) If we ever want to see God’s hand do great things in the life of this church, we must be united in prayer
B. Praying for others contributes to our accountability
William Law once said this about prayer: “There is nothing that makes us love a person so much as prayer for them.”
1. We are accountable to Christ
a.) We have been bought back from sin by Christ Himself. He has called us to “go and sin no more.”
b.) We either help or hurt the cause of Christ with the words that we speak and the things that we do. If a person becomes destructive in their words and action to the Kingdom they are accountable to the rest of the Body.
2. We are accountable to the church
a.) You have been given a place within the fellowship. You are a part of this body of believers. You are part of this church.
b.) Are you helping the cause of Christ In the life of the church or are you harming the work of Jesus?
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
a.) Prayer is your means of communicating with Christ. It is your link to Him and your way of sharing your joys and struggles with Him
b.) Prayer is literally the lifeline of your spiritual walk and without prayer your spiritual life will grow cold, stale and dead.
2. Our dedication to prayer reveals our devotion to God
a.) The revelation of prayer
When we set some time aside to pray we are revealing to God and everyone else where our priorities really are in life. Is prayer in a place of priority in your life?
b.) 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 is your grand opportunity
a.) Prayer is your opportunity to carry the pains and problems of earth to the throne of heaven.
b.) Prayer allows you to give you burdens over to God and find the strength that he has to support you.
2. Prayer allows God to speak in our lives
a.) When we pray we totally belong to God and in these times He begins to give direction for your life
b.) When we pray we place our focus fully on God and allow our heart to tune in to God’s heart
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
1. When we pray, we tap into the power of God
a.) 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
b.) In our human strength we can only accomplish human results but when we pray, we are given God’s strength. With God’s strength we can accomplish God’s results
2. Prayer takes us to another level in our ability
a.) We gain God’s ability
Through prayer we gain God’s strength and also gain God’s ability. When we pray, we are empowered to do God’s strength
b.) We can do more
With God’s help we can do more than we could ever hope to do on our own. With God’s help we can become more than we ever could on our own
B. Prayer unleashes the resources of God
1. We call upon the limitless resources of God when we pray
a.) If only ministry
If only we had more money our church could have better ministries. If only we had more people we could start more ministries. If only God would send down the Spirit we could have revival
b.) The resources of God
God’s resources have no limit and he is simply waiting to provide everything that this church needs to do Christ’s work. God seldom provides before the need arises. He waits for us to step out in faith and then supplies all of our needs
2. We allow God to prove His power and His provision when we pray
a.) 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
b.) God wants to pour out His provision, His blessings and His power into this church. He just is waiting for you to ask Him to do it
C. Prayer unleashes the love of God
1. When we pray for Gods love influences us
When we prayer we come into the presence of God. This puts us into contact with his divine love and little by little that love changes us. The love of God makes us into who we can be and helps us to make a difference for Christ’s Kingdom
2. When we pray for others Gods love influences them
As we lift others to God, his love comes into contact with them and begins to change their lives little by little. Praying for others is not always the first thing that comes to mind and sometimes it’s the hardest thing we can do. Praying for others does make a difference, it changes you.
CONCLUSION
Early African converts to Christianity were earnest and regular in private devotions. Each one reportedly had a separate spot in the thicket where he would pour out his heart to God. Over time the paths to these places became well worn. As a result, if one of these believers began to neglect prayer, it was soon apparent to the others. They would kindly remind the negligent one, "Brother, the grass grows on your path."
Today in the Word, June 29, 1992.
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- So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
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
