WHAT MOTIVATES THE CHURCH TO BE PRAYERFUL?
(ACTS 1:13-15) “And when
they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and
James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew,
James [the son] of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas [the brother] of
James. 14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with
the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. 15 And in those
days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of
names together were about an hundred and twenty,)”
Introduction
a. The Jerusalem
church is a good example of a local church in its faithful prayer to God.
I. THE
GREAT EXAMPLE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
The example of
Christ motivates God’s people to be prayerful.
(MATTHEW 26:40-41) “And he
cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What,
could ye not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into
temptation: the spirit indeed [is] willing, but the flesh [is] weak.”
a. The Lord Jesus
Christ is our prime example of faithful prayer to God.
(MATTHEW 26:39-40) “And he went
a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it
be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou
wilt. 40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith
unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?”
II. THE
GREAT VISION FOR THE HARVEST OF SOULS
The vision for
souls motivates God’s people to pray.
(JOHN 4:35) “Say not ye,
There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you,
Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to
harvest.”
a. Jesus Christ
encourages His disciples to look at the fields, for they are already white for
harvest.
b. It is tragic
if the church is without vision; the people will perish.
(PROVERBS 29:18) “Where there
is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”
III. THE
GREAT NEED FOR LABORERS
The need for
laborers in the harvest of souls motivates God’s people to pray.
(LUKE 10:1-2) “After these
things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before
his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. 2 Therefore
said he unto them, The harvest truly [is] great, but the labourers [are] few:
pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers
into his harvest.”
a. The Lord Jesus
Christ was moved with compassion for lost sinners scattered abroad without a
shepherd.
(MATTHEW 9:36-38) “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
Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers
into his harvest.”
IV. THE
EXPERIENCE OF PERSECUTION
The experience of
great persecution motivates God’s people to pray.
(ACTS 12:1-5) “Now about
that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the
church. 2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. 3 And because
he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also... 5 Peter
therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church
unto God for him.”
a. The Church
prayed without ceasing when Peter was imprisoned.
b. The Lord
answered the prayer of the Church miraculously. God sent angels to help and
protect Peter as he escaped from prison.
(ACTS 12:7-8) “And,
behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison:
and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly.
And his chains fell off from his hands. 8 And the angel said unto him, Gird
thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast
thy garment about thee, and follow me.”
V. THE
GREAT PROMISE OF GOD
God's promises
regarding prayer motivate His people to pray.
(JEREMIAH 33:3) “Call unto
me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou
knowest not.”
a. God commands
His children to call upon Him in prayer and gives a great promise to answer
them.
b. He promises
great and mighty blessings which you do not yet know.
(PSALMS 126:2-3) “Then was
our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they
among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. 3 The LORD hath
done great things for us; whereof we are glad.”
GOD BLESS YOU ALL
ALWAYS!
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