When a Church Prays

Have you ever longed to break through the barriers and limitations in life in order to experience a life transformed by God? I know I have. According to Scripture, the earliest followers of Jesus asked Him to teach them to pray. Prayer is the tool we have that can help us break through every barrier, every limitation in our life. Probably one of our greatest weaknesses as a church is our weakness in prayer, our reluctance to pray. I know for me, prayer is one of the elements I neglect and struggle with in my daily life, something I don’t spend enough time being part of. Would you say that this is true in your life?

Prayer is (and needs to be) a priority in our lives. Prayer is one of the significant ministries of the church. This morning we will look at what happens when a church prays and hopefully we will be encouraged and empowered to be a church that prays.

Acts 4:23-31- When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit,‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed’ for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

1) Prayer is a Response to God’s Grace (Acts 4:23-28).
When Peter and John were released from prison, they joined the other Christians in Jerusalem. When they were set free, they didn’t hold a conference, try to find a way to keep from getting arrested again, or plan a retaliation- No, they prayed. Prayer is the natural response of the Believer to God’s Grace.

2) Prayer Is A Request (Acts 4:29).
Notice that the early Church’s request centers on obedience to God and to the task of witnessing for God. They didn’t pray, “keep us free, safe, and don’t let us get caught again.” Instead they prayed- The Bobble- “Lord, help us keep the main thing, the main thing. Help us stay on task and get on with the Job of proclaiming the Gospel”. We need to constantly be praying for boldness in proclaiming the Gospel. Because, the good news of Jesus is the only way our city is going to experience hope, joy, peace, purpose and change!

3) Prayer Is A Resource (Acts 4:30).
The early church prayed with expectancy. They expected God to do something amazing. They knew that there was an adequate and powerful resource, and they claimed it. They claimed the power of God in Jesus- this same power is available to all Believers. All of God’s resources are available to us through prayer.

4) Prayer Produces Results (Acts 4:31).
The early church had prayed in v.29 for boldness in speaking the Word of God. In v.31 we are told that they spoke the Word of God with Boldness.

Conclusion- What Results from Prayer?
A) We Experience the Presence of God.
B) We Experience the Power of God.
C) We Receive Boldness for Ministry.

Closing- When a church prays, that church can Experience boldness in ministry. A major ministry of the church is prayer. As we’ve seen through Scripture today, when a church prays…it has power.