[OO] [PREACHING LESSON 20:] THE GREAT BENEFITS OF CONTINUOUS PRAYER TO GOD BY GOD'S PEOPLE

 

THE GREAT BENEFITS OF CONTINUOUS PRAYER TO GOD BY GOD'S PEOPLE

 

(ACTS 6:4) "But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word."

 

Introduction:

Prayer is not merely an occasional escape room for Christians in times of trouble; it is the very lifeline of the believer. The early church understood that a prayerless church is a powerless church. In Acts 6:4, the apostles deliberately prioritized a lifestyle of uninterrupted communion with God alongside the ministry of the Word. When God’s people commit to continuous, steadfast prayer, they open the floodgates of heaven to experience a life marked by supernatural grace and divine intervention. It shifts our dependency from human strength to almighty power. When we pray without ceasing, we enter into an unbroken stream of heavenly blessings that sustains us through every season of life.

 

Six (6) great things we enjoy because of the continuous prayer of God's people:

 

I. GREAT GRACE FROM GOD THAT WE CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE AND NEVER CEASE.

 

(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."

 

a. God promises great grace for Christians to experience if they continue to pray to Him.

 

(ACTS 4:31-33) "And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. 32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. 33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all."

 

(2 CORINTHIANS 12:9) "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

 

c. God gives even greater grace to the humble who continually seek Him in prayer.

 

(JAMES 4:6) "But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble."

 

II. GREAT PEACE OF GOD THAT WE CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE AND NEVER CEASE.

 

(PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7) "Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

 

a. God promises perfect and multiplied peace to those who walk in righteousness.

 

(2 PETER 1:2) "Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,"

 

b. The bountiful and multiplied peace in the life of a Christian is a fruit of the Holy Spirit.

 

(GALATIANS 5:22) "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,"

 

c. Keeping our minds focused on God through prayer ensures absolute and perfect peace.

 

(ISAIAH 26:3) "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee."

 

III. GREAT SUPPLY FROM GOD THAT WE CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE AND NEVER CEASE.

 

(PHILIPPIANS 4:19) "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

 

a. God is the source of bountiful blessings and great and mighty things which we know not.

 

(JEREMIAH 33:3) "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not."

 

b. When we ask through prayer, God is able to provide far beyond our expectations and understanding.

 

(EPHESIANS 3:20) "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,"

 

IV. GREAT HELP FROM GOD THAT WE CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE AND NEVER CEASE.

 

(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."

a. God assures His children that we can find grace to help in times of need.

 

(PSALMS 34:17-19) "The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. 18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all."

 

b. Our prayer is answered by a God who is our immediate help and strength in times of trouble.

 

(PSALMS 46:1) "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

 

V. GREAT COMFORT FROM GOD THAT WE CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE AND NEVER CEASE.

 

(2 CORINTHIANS 1:3-4) "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God."

 

a. God promises to comfort Christians in times of helplessness and hopelessness when facing great trouble in life.

 

(2 CORINTHIANS 1:7-10) "And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation. 8 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: 9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: 10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;"

 

b. Through prayer, we can cast our worries on Him, knowing He personally cares for our comfort.

 

(1 PETER 5:7) "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."

 

VI. GREAT PROTECTION FROM GOD THAT WE CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE AND NEVER CEASE.

 

(PSALMS 91:1-4) "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. 3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. 4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler."

 

(EPHESIANS 6:10-13) "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. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."

 

a. God protects us from evil when we faithfully call upon His name in prayer.

 

(2 THESSALONIANS 3:3) "But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil."

 

Conclusion:

Continuous prayer is the key that unlocks the boundless storehouses of heaven. As we have seen, a lifestyle dedicated to prayer ensures that we never run out of God’s great grace, perfect peace, timely supply, ever-present help, deep comfort, and absolute protection. God does not want us to struggle in our own limitations; He invites us to rely entirely on His limitless strength. Let us, therefore, re-consecrate our prayer lives today. Let us make an unwavering commitment to "pray without ceasing," confident that the God who hears us is faithful to sustain us, bless us, and cause us to stand victorious through every trial.

 

GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS!