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 our good example of a local Church in their faithful prayer
to God.
b.
Prayer is the spiritual engine of the church; without it, the ministry
functions only on human effort rather than divine power.
c. A
truly prayerful church is not motivated by routine, but by a deep spiritual
vision, a burden for the lost, and an absolute reliance on the promises of God.
I. THE GREAT EXAMPLE OF THE LORD JESUS 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 in faithful prayer to God.
b.
When the Church looks to Jesus' example, believers realize that if the Son of
God prioritized prayer, His followers must do the same to overcome the weakness
of the flesh.
(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 SOULS HARVEST 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 on the field, for they are white
already to harvest.
b. It
is sad if the church is without vision; the people will perish.
c.
Spiritual vision shifts our focus from our own comfort to the eternal destiny
of others, moving the local church to its knees in prayer.
(PROVERBS 29:18) "Where
there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is
he"
III. THE GREAT NEED OF 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 on the lost sinners scattered
abroad without a shepherd.
b. The
magnitude of the harvest requires supernatural help, which motivates the church
to ask the Lord of the harvest to call, equip, and send dedicated workers into
the field.
(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 GREAT PERSECUTION EXPERIENCE OF THE CHRISTIAN
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. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he
saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were
the days of unleavened bread.) And when he had apprehended him, he put him in
prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him;
intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. 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 miraculously the prayer of the Church. God sent angels to help
and protect Peter to escape from prison.
c.
Times of severe trial and opposition strip away self-reliance, driving
believers together in unified, unceasing supplication for deliverance and
protection.
(ACTS 12:7) "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. 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 IN PRAYER MOTIVATES GOD'S 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
commanded His children to call upon Him in prayer, with a great promise to
answer their prayers.
b.
Great and mighty things of blessing which thou knowest not.
c.
Knowing that God is completely faithful to His Word fills the church with bold
anticipation, turning prayer from a heavy duty into a joyful privilege.
(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
prayerful church is a powerful church, motivated by the perfect example of our
Lord, a heart for the lost, and an unshakable trust in God's promises. When
believers allow these truths to drive their prayer life, they position
themselves to experience God’s mighty working in every season—whether in times
of growth, harvest, or trial. May we remain committed to being a church that
never ceases to pray, always expecting great things from our faithful God.
GOD
BLESS YOU ALL ALWAYS!
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