Prayer 5

Let us Pray 5(New testament prayer points)
The scriptures teach us to pray and do so diligently .
1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV
[17] Pray without ceasing.
We are to pray regularly .
Romans 12:12 KJV
[12]...continuing instant in prayer;
We have since studied how to pray for the unsaved ,fellow
believers ,ministers and our nations leaders .
1 Timothy 2:1 KJV
[1] I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers,
intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
We have since seen the emphasis and instructions in this
regard.
Some have asked how to pray for / concerning church/
christian meetings .
Church meetings are very integral to christian service and
growth .
Hebrews 10:25 KJV
[25] Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the
manner of some is ; but exhorting one another : and so much
the more, as ye see the day approaching.
The church in Acts practiced this very often
Acts 2:42,46 KJV
[42] And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine
and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
46] And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple,
and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat
with gladness and singleness of heart,
Since we pray for fellow believers,ministers ,we can pray
concerning our gatherings too.
Many times we replace prayer with strategy.We get into so
much planning and forget the basics .
Philippians 4:6 KJV
[6] Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made
known unto God.
How will people get blessed?
The unsaved receive salvation ,the sick healed ?
Maybe we need some drama?
Should we add some flavor of comedy ?what about free lunch
or gift packs etc?
This happens often when we have left prayer for worrying
disguised as planning .
I serve as a pastor in my local church,before we set up
committees to handle activities in our meetings ,we get
everyone praying .
The committee does more praying too.
James 5:16bThe earnest heartfelt, continued prayer of a
righteous man makes tremendous power available dynamic in
its working.
We need more power working in our meetings than good
ideas.
Prayer is the ONLY effective means to this.
Christian meetings are to have a stark difference from other
kinds of meetings .
So let's see what our emphasis should be by first mentioning
what it shouldn't be
1)Don't pray for God to be in or come into a christian meeting
,that's unbelief .
God is there already !
Matthew 18:20 KJV
[20] For where two or three are gathered together in my name,
there am I in the midst of them.
Just make sure u are two or three!
1 Corinthians 3:16 KJV
[16] Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the
Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
2)Don't pray for God to move or touch the hearts of people
,heal the sick or save the lost!
God doesn't need to be prayed for to do what He wants to do
all the time !
Luke 12:32 KJV
[32] Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure
to give you the kingdom.
3) Don't pray for angels to work .They are already working!
Hebrews 1:14 KJV
[14] Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister
for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
Have seen what or who doesn't need prayer let's see who
need prayers..
Its key to know why we gather .
1 Corinthians 14:26 KJV
[26] How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every
one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath
a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto
edifying.
Edify means to build up,strengthen and make effective .
Ephesians 4:12 KJV
[12] For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the
ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
The primary reason we gather is to be edified .
In this the sick are healed ,the unsaved receive salvation( as
in 1 Corinthians 14:24-25), the believer is improved upon in his
walk.
So who does the edifying ?
The participants!
The ministers and the members of the church or meetings .
Since Gods power is always in and around Gods people
Ephesians 1:19 KJV
[19] And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-
ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty
power,
Ephesians 3:20 KJV
[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,
They ( we)are the ones we should be praying for!
1)So we pray for the minister ..
Utterance & boldness (Colossians 4:3-4,Ephesians
6:19-20,Acts 4:30-31)
That the preaching be in demonstration of spirit and power (1
Corinthians 2:4-5)
2)We pray for those handling non preaching assignments ,
We ask for wisdom that all things be done decently and in
order , they be filled with the Spirit
Wisdom was a primary requirement to serve tables
( deacons )acts 6:3
( James 1:5,1 Corinthians 14:40)
3)We very importantly pray for the participants ..
We pray the Pauline prayers ( Ephesians 1:17-23,3:14-21
,Phillipians 1:9-12,Collosians 1:9-11)
We ask for wisdom ,revelation and insights in order that they
be edified .
4)Furthermore we can make requests specifically for the
situations around such meetings eg opposition,supernatural
publicity ,good weather etc
1 Corinthians 16:9 KJV
[9] For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and
there are many adversaries.
Any which way ,we mustn't pray in unbelief .Asking for what is
already available in the gathering .
The ministers and the participants are the sole persons
responsible for how the meeting turns out!no magic .
They ( we) need the prayers!
5)We also give thanks
1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV
[18] In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in
Christ Jesus concerning you.
We give thanks for the flow of the Spirit
We give thanks for the effective ministry of angels .
We give thanks for the gifts of the Spirit in demonstration .
When we pray this way , we do so according to scriptures
Amen.
Write down christian meetings at least 5 you are attending or
organizing or u love to pray about this year .do so this
weekend !
Ready?
Don't forget to pray in the Spirit (1 Corinthians 14:14-15, Jude
20, Ephesians6:18)
Let us pray !