WHY CHRIST
ENCOURAGED THE CHURCH TO PRAY ALWAYS?
(LUKE 18:1) "And
he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and
not to faint;"
Introduction:
a. Jesus
Christ Himself encourages His disciples to pray always and not to faint.
b. The
Holy Spirit helps Christians pray for the very things the local Church
desperately needs.
(ROMANS 8:26) "Likewise
the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray
for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with
groanings which cannot be uttered."
Five
(5) Great Reasons Why the Local Church Needs to Pray Always:
I.
BECAUSE CHRIST WANTS HIS CHURCH TO EXPERIENCE THE GREAT BLESSINGS OF GOD.
(JEREMIAH 33:3) "Call
unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which
thou knowest not."
a. God
promises to supply all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ
Jesus.
(PHILIPPIANS 4:19) "But
my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ
Jesus."
b. Great
and bountiful blessings have been prepared by God for Christians.
(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."
II.
BECAUSE CHRIST WANTS HIS CHURCH TO EXPERIENCE THE GREAT POWER OF THE 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."
a. The
Church needs the working power of the Holy Spirit in its midst for effective
and fruitful service to God.
b.
The Holy Spirit gives guidance and knowledge to God's
people.
(JOHN 16:13) "Howbeit
when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he
shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak:
and he will shew you things to come."
c. The
local church prayed unitedly in the upper room.
(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,)"
III.
BECAUSE CHRIST WANTS HIS CHURCH TO EXPERIENCE THE GREAT WORKING OF GOD IN ITS
MIDST.
(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."
a. God
works and moves in the midst of the Church, surprising us with great blessings.
b.
The hand of God is the ultimate evidence of His powerful
working in the church, resulting in many souls being saved.
(ACTS 11:21-23) "And
the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned
unto the Lord. 22 Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church
which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far
as Antioch. 23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and
exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the
Lord."
IV.
BECAUSE CHRIST WANTS HIS CHURCH TO EXPERIENCE GREAT
VICTORY IN GOD'S MINISTRY.
(1 JOHN 5:4-5) "For
whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that
overcometh the world, even our faith. 5 Who is he that overcometh the world,
but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?"
a. God
will give His Church perfect protection and victory against our spiritual
enemy—the Devil.
(EPHESIANS 6:10-12) "Finally,
my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on
the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the
devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against
principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this
world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
b.
Our total victory against our spiritual enemy is found in
Christ Jesus.
(1 CORINTHIANS 15:57) "But
thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus
Christ."
V. BECAUSE
CHRIST WANTS HIS CHURCH TO EXPERIENCE THE GREAT RESULTS OF THE UNITED PRAYERS
OF CHRISTIANS.
(ACTS 12:5) "Peter
therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church
unto God for him."
a. God
answered the prayers of the Christians and protected Peter from the enemy.
b. God
answered the unceasing prayer of the Jerusalem church by sending an angel to
rescue Peter from prison.
(ACTS 12:7) "7
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."
Conclusion:
Lastly,
there are always great results when the Church continues in prayer.
GOD
BLESS YOU ALL!
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