Sunday 25th May 2014
Speaker: Pastor Azuka Ogo
Key Passages: John 15:14-17 (Amp):
“14 You are My friends if you keep on doing the things which I command you to do.
15 I do not call you servants (slaves) any longer, for the servant does not know what his master is doing (working out). But I have called you My friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from My Father. [I have revealed to you everything that I have learned from Him.]
16 You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and I have appointed you [I have planted you], that you might go and bear fruit and keep on bearing, and that your fruit may be lasting [that it may remain, abide], so that whatever you ask the Father in My Name [as presenting all that I Am], He may give it to you.
17 This is what I command you: that you love one another”
What is Prayer?
Prayer is communication between man and God, and for us as believing Christians, this can take many forms (worship, praise, speaking in tongues etc). Remember 2014 is the year of sustained prayer emphasis in HE’S ALIVE CHAPEL
Why Must We Pray?
- To know the God we serve as our Father (Galatians 4:6-7)
- To know the mind of God and to do the will of God (James 5:13-18)
- Our Lord Jesus Christ made prayer a priority (Mark 1:35, Matthew 14:23)
Drawing from Ephesians 6:18-20 we should;
- Pray at all times, on every occasion, in every season in the spirit
- Pray all manner of prayers, petitions, and intercede for all saints
- Keep alert and be watchful
- Pray for freedom of utterance to declare the Good News about Jesus Christ courageously and boldly
- Be devoted to prayer Acts 2:42
How Do We Pray?
- Earnestly believing God. Matthew 21:22 says “And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” See also Matthew 9:28-30. Mark11:22-25
- Offering in faith James 5:15
Hindrances to Prayer
Busyness, Laziness, Procrastination, Indiscipline, Unforgiveness, Offences, Sin..
Effectiveness in Prayer
How is your prayer altar: set aside quality time on a daily basis with God for bible study, praise/worship, talking to, and hearing from God. Daniel maintained his prayer altar in captivity in Babylon and God used him to demonstrate His power and facilitate the release of the children of Israel from captivity. We see the conspiracy against Daniel in Daniel 6:10,Daniel 6: 1-28,Daniel 9:1-19, and the manifestation of God’s power in Daniel 6: 20-23.
The Power of Corporate Prayer
Look at the examples of;
- Paul and Silas Acts 16:16-34
- Peter’s release from Prison Acts 12:1-11
- King Hezekiah 2 Kings 19:1-7,2 Kings 19: 15-19
Brethren, Can Prayer Change Things?
What Kind of Christian should I Be?
- Fervent in the spirit. Note that ‘not praying’ is sin as shown in 1 Samuel 12:23: “Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you the good and the right way.” Also, 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says “pray without ceasing.”
- Praying for changes to the Living God who answers prayers. Abraham, Hezekiah and Daniel interceded for nations. They prayed and received positive answers from God. We can also pray for positive changes.
IT IS TIME TO SEEK GOD
PRAYER POINTS
- That we may devote ourselves to prayer ·
- Examine our lives and ask the Lord to help us deal with hindrances to prayer
- For those who are suffering or are afflicted in any way to receive healing and deliverance
- For the good of Nigeria. May Nigeria receive help from God
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