January 15, 2006
"The Power of a Praying Church"
The Power of a Praying Church—Part 2
Acts 4:23-31
"The Word of God and prayer must go together."
1. Allow ministry to motivate your prayers.
On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God...
—Acts 4:23-24
Division in the church hinders prayer and robs the church of spiritual power.
2. Base your prayers on the Word of God.
You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: "Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One."
—Acts 4:25-26
"Nothing lies beyond the reach of prayer except what is outside the will of God."
—Anonymous
"Our prayers must always be followed with 'Thy will be done.'"
3. Recognize who is in ultimate control.
Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.
—Acts 4:27-28
4. Ask God for spiritual power.
Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.
—Acts 4:29
"Pray to be stronger men and women.
Do not ask for tasks equal to your powers.
Pray for power equal to your tasks."
—Phillip Brooks
5. Make it your aim to glorify Jesus.
Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.
—Acts 4:30
"The glory of God, not the needs of men, is the highest purpose of prayer."
6. Expect God to answer prayer and use you.
After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
—Acts 4:31
Pray for great things,
expect great things,
work for great things,
but above all—pray.
—Dr. R. A. Torrey
Lifework
Boldness in prayer is the result of faithfulness in life and service. When God's people pray together, a greater unity develops. With unity comes greater power and grace.
Read: James 4:6-8
The Church At Prayer
Personal and Small Group Study
Getting Started
- What bold moves have you made in your life? How did those moves affect your future?
- With what group have you felt the most unity: A team? A club? A small group? Your family? Other?
Digging Deeper: Read Acts 4:1-35
- How do the religious leaders view themselves? (Look at 4:13-17.) How did they view the disciples?
- Why would the church begin their prayer by recalling God's sovereignty?
- What does it mean that Jesus' death was not just the plan of his enemies? (Look at verses 4:28; 2:23; and 3:17-18.)
- How might Acts 1:8 be shaping the prayer of believers at this point?
- What is the purpose of the filling of the Spirit? (Look at verses 2:8 and 31.)
- Compare verses 32-35 with Acts 2:42-47. What qualities mark this church?
Applying It To My Life
- How are your prayers in crisis different from your daily prayers?
- Do you recall the character of God in your prayers? What benefit is this practice for you?
- How do you respond in times of trouble? Are you more like the disciples (coming to God in sincere prayer) or the religious leaders (trying to figure out for yourself what to do)?
- If you were to describe your church, which of the phrases in verses 32-35 would best fit? Which ones would not yet fit?