Category: Sermons

“PRAYER” – The Principles Of Prayer Faith and Humility

PRAYER REQUIRES FAITH

Matthew 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

Mark 9:24  And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

Cause of unanswered prayer.

 James 1:5-8 – If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6  But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7  For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8  A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

FAITH IN GOD…

Hebrews 11:6 – But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

   This faith only comes from the Word of God

Romans 10:17 – So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

[With the aid of His Word, we can have the kind of faith that pleases God, and ensures an answer to our prayers.]

WE MUST PRAY WITH HUMILITY

James 4:10  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Luke 18:13-14 – And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14  I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Humility in His people is highly valued by God

Isaiah 57:15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.; 

Isaiah 66:1-2   Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? 2  For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

The Lord is near, and saves those with contrite spirits

Psalm 34:18 - The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

He gives grace to the humble

Proverbs 3:34 –Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly. Psalms 10:17  LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:

Proverbs 29:23   A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

Unity, the key to success: Prayer without unity is nothing but ceiling high words

Ephesians 4:11-16 –  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;12  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:13  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness14  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;15  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:16  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

I Corinthians 12:12-26 – For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.13  For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.14  For the body is not one member, but many.15  If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?16  And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?17  If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?18  But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.19  And if they were all one member, where were the body?

20  But now are they many members, yet but one body.21  And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.22  Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:23  And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.24  For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:25  That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.26  And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

  • Structure matters. Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers
  • It is important that all members do their part. Only one body.
  • Everyone no matter how insignificant they may seem, are of utmost importance. God places each part of the body in place.
  • Unity is of primary importance. Body cannot function with division.
  • If just one member suffers, the whole body suffers. We need to learn to feel the pain and hurt of others.
  • For those who do not belong to the local church, they are cheating themselves and other believers of the gift God has given them. Accountability is part of being in the body.
  • There are many believers who have walked away because they felt they did not fit in. It is sad when believers do not feel they fit in. Let us work to be sure people feel they belong.
  • Let us be vigilant to bring those home who have wandered away. Let us reach out to those who have been hurt or rejected because of their inability to belong.
  • Together, lets move forward for the cause of Christ remembering that it takes everyone of us. – We are all of equal importance in the family of God.
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. Acts 2:1

Praying in unity produced the miracle of the outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit  

Acts 1:8 - But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

The Power of Prayer – Peace and Strength

Last Week – Forgiveness

THERE IS PEACE FROM GOD IN PRAYER

1.  The REAL CURE for anxiety is to pray – 

Philippians 4:6- Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

2.  Christians will find peace even during challenging times.

Philippians 4:7 –And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

     3. Pray for peace during times of fear, loneliness, anxiety, etc.

     4. Full trust is the only path to true peace.

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Colossians 3:12-16 – Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13  Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.14  And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.15  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

THERE IS STRENGTH FROM GOD

  1. Real strength comes from within: it is not an outward display all the time. – Ephesians 3:14-16, 20 – For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15  Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16  That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
  2. When we need to be strong, Christians can likewise pray for themselves!
  3. We are often weak because we do not practice earnest prayer.

God opens doors of opportunity

  1. Paul realized that God provided him opportunity to teach others    

1 Corinthians 3:5 – For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.

2. He knew that the Lord often opened doors for such opportunities

1 Corinthians 16:9 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?

  2 Corinthians 2:12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,

3. He therefore requested prayer that such opportunities would continue –

Colossians 4:3 – Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds

4. As a church, let us pray for opportunity and a willing heart to allow    His strength to be known through us.

I Timothy 2: 8  I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

“PRAYER” – The Power of Prayer

The Power of Prayer

THERE IS FORGIVENESS FROM GOD…

The Christian can find forgiveness through the blood of Christ

 1 John 1:7-10– But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.8 ¶  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.10  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

  • Forgiveness toward self
  • Forgiveness of others
  • Forgiveness for all eternity
Isaiah 43:25 I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

The wayward Christian is told to repent and pray for forgiveness.

Acts 8:22-24 -Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.23  For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.24  Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.a.Simon was a believer.

  • Simon was a believer.

Acts 8: 13  Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.

  • He wanted others to pray for him.‘
  • Self-forgiveness begins as we pray for the forgiveness of others.
Matthew 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

Prayer strengthens the relationship between you and God.

Our Father – remember, He is our Father, not just a distant uncaring God.

Romans 8:15  For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

He has opened His throne room to ALL His children –

Hebrews 4:16  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (written to Believers)

Prayer will help us live a life of freedom. –

Romans 8:1 – There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Prayer can save a nation –

II Chronicles 7:14 - If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

“PRAYER” – The Power Of Prayer

Ephesians 6:18  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

The importance of not giving up.

The persistent widow, that people might always pray

Luke 18:1-7 – And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; 2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: 3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. 4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; 5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. 6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. 7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?


Wondering if He would find faith on earth (i.e., people praying) when
He returned –

Luke 18:8 – I tell you that he will avenge them
speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he
find faith on the earth?

Paul called for prayer to be consistent.

“praying always with all prayer and supplication…” – Ephesians 6:18 –Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Be vigilant in prayer with thanksgiving

Colossians 4:2-4 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; 3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

“Pray without ceasing”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice evermore.17 Pray without ceasing.18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

  1. Make prayer a habit.
    1. Rejoice as you pray.
    2. Be thankful in your prayers.
    3. Praying is part of God’s will for every believer.