Tag: prayer

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.

“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.

Jonah Part 7

Jonah 3:6-10

6  For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.7  And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water:8  But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands.9  Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?10  And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.

Message delivered

Romans 10:14-17

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15  And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 16  But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

  • The message of Grace must be delivered
  • The message of Grace is the responsibility of all believers

Matthew 28:18-20

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

The message of Grace has been silent

Matthew 9:35-38

And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36  But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. 37  Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38  labourers into his harvest.

Message heard – The king called for national repentance and prayer

  • They can only hear what is delivered – until Jonah delivered the message, the city had not way of knowing
  • Only the message of grace and forgiveness can be heard
II Corinthians 2:12-16

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13  Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14  But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15  But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.16  For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

  • Without the preaching of Grace, no one can be saved
Acts 26:15-18

  And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.16  But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; 17  Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 18  To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Mercy granted

Romans 10:13 

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved

  • Hearing leads to repentance – faith cometh by hearing
  • Repentance leads to mercy and forgiveness
  • Acceptance leads to an abundant, joy filled life –
John 10:10 

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Mercy in action

Luke 15:7 

I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance