June 26, 2005
"The Power of Prayer—May the Force Be With You"
A Call To Faithfulness—Part 3
1 Timothy 2:1-8
Pastor Eric Evans
"'To believe that God will do everything while we do nothing is not faith, but superstition."
—Martin Luther King, Jr.
1. There's power in prayer when we pray for others.
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone.
—1 Timothy 2:1
Why praying for others helps keep a clear conscience:
- It's the first thing we can do to show love.
- It's the easiest step of love.
- It reaches farther in its effects.
2. There's power in prayer when we pray for our leaders.
Pray this way for kings and all others who are in authority...
—1 Timothy 2:2a (NLT)
3. There's power in prayer when our lives communicate Christ.
...so that we can live in peace and quietness, in godliness and dignity. This is good, and pleases God our Savior.
—1 Timothy 2:2b-3 (NLT)
4. There's power in prayer when we pray for salvation.
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
—2 Peter 3:9
(God our savior) who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time.
—1 Timothy 2:4-6 (NLT)
5. There's power in prayer when we pray for boldness.
This and this only has been my appointed work: getting this news to those who have never heard of God, and explaining how it works by simple faith and plain truth.
—1 Timothy 2:7 (Mess)
6. There's power in prayer when we pray everywhere.
Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere.
—Ephesians 6:18 (NLT)
I desire therefore that in every place men should pray, without anger or quarreling or resentment or doubt [in their minds], lifting up holy hands.
—1 Timothy 2:8 (Amp)
7. There's power in prayer when it comes from purity.
....I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.
—1 Timothy 2:8b (NLT)
I wash my hands to declare my innocence. I come to your altar, O LORD.
—Psalm 26:6
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results.
—James 5:16 (NLT)
Lifework
"That's why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you'll get God's everything. And when you assume the posture of prayer, remember that it's not all asking. If you have anything against someone, forgive—only then will your heavenly Father be inclined to also wipe your slate clean of sins."
—Mark 11:24
Have you tapped into the force, the power of prayer yet? God is waiting for you to plug in to Him.
Prayer: Dear God, help me to plug into your indescribable "force" called prayer. If I have never tapped into that source, help me now to come to you with "holy hands" so that your power can work in my life. Help me to be others-focused when I pray, and help me to see that the true force or power of a church comes from faithful people with pure hearts, praying for salvation for everyone, including people in leadership, everywhere.
A Call To Faithfulness—Part 3
1 Timothy 2:1-8
Personal and Group Study
Getting Started
- Describe a time when the power went out in your house. Or your computer crashed? Or, have you ever ran out of gas? How did these incidents make you feel?
- Have you ever experienced your prayers being answered? What was your response?
Digging Deeper: Read Acts 2:42-3:10
- Was prayer a priority with the believers? With Peter? How did it help Peter?
- What happens to me when I am asked to pray for others? Look at Luke 22:32; Colossians 1:3; Acts 7:60.
- What are the four different kinds of prayer found in 1 Timothy 2:1?
- What is the first way I can express my love for others? Can it be done through prayer? Look at Matthew 22:37-39; Galatians 6:2-4.
- It was customary for Jewish men to pray with arms extended and their hands open to heaven. Actually, there are many prayer postures found in the bible: list 7 different postures for these passages: 1 Kings 8:22; Daniel 6:10; Luke 18:11; 2 Samuel 7:18; Genesis 24:26; John 17:1; Genesis 17:3.
- "Holy Hands" is symbolic of what? Look at Psalm 24:4; 2 Samuel 22:21.
- How does Grace Church carry out the Great Commission in Elk Grove? What is the most important priority? Look at Acts 1:8; Acts 1:12-14.
Applying It To My Life
- Memorize 1 Timothy 2:1—"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone."
- Get involved in a prayer ministry. Men: Tuesday or Wednesday mornings; Women: The Power of a Praying Wife; or, men and women, become prayer partners on Sunday mornings.
- Use your fingers to help you remind you who to pray for: Hold your hand with your thumb towards you. This reminds you to pray for those nearest to you. With the pointing finger, pray for those who point the way to others—teacher, leaders, pastors, parents. The next finger is the biggest; pray for those in high places. The ring finger pray for the sick, the lonely and the afraid. Last of all, the little one, pray for yourself.