The Effectual Fervent Prayer of a Child of

The Effectual Fervent Prayer of a Child of GOD

Two Kingdoms to consider KINGDOM OF GOD (1) Activity: Serving GOD faithfully even at a personal cost/sacrifice and increasing GOD’s Kingdom by preaching the Word of GOD (eg JESUS, Paul) (2) Process: It involves leaving things (Phil 3 v 3 -11), exchanging temporal for eternal (3) Achievements: Pleasing GOD (Rom 15 v 3), serving others, eternal life in Heaven vs (1) Activity: KINGDOM OF THE WORLD Pursuing money and riches by all means possible Making oneself as comfortable as possible and being honoured by men (2) Process: It involves GRABBING things, exchanging eternal for the temporal (3) Achievements: Being famous, acquire lots of wealth and then die !

How should we live? Time and our needs are the key weapons that the enemy is using to defocus us from the true work GOD has appointed us to do (Eph 2 v 8 -10) Hence we need to go to GOD daily in prayer Matt 4 v 4 : JESUS told the devil that man shall NOT live by bread alone GOD’s provision abides Today Work to be done Tomorrow ? ? ? Serve GOD Preach the WORD Help others… JESUS is still LORD here

The Effectual Fervent Prayer Introduction Prayer is the lifeline for any believer and it is one of the most effective tool if we want to walk victoriously as believers; overcome the evil one and finish our race faithfully “A prayer-less Christian is a powerless Christian” What is prayer ? Why do we need to pray? How do we pray effectively? Does GOD answer all prayers? When do we pray? Why do we need to pray and fast? How do we prayer and hear from GOD? What is the role of faith in prayer? What are the different types of prayers and uses? Praying with our mind vs praying in the Spirit

2. What is prayer and why do we need it? In one Christian article, it was stated that about 90% of Americans pray daily however very few do see real results. In Europe, that number is considerably less. Why are people not seeing real results? Most people have adopted the traffic light prayer pattern Things are going well: People don’t pray Things get a bit hard: People pray ON and OFF a little Things are really hard: Now people start to pray Many Christian are praying amiss (James 4 v 3) Asking only for things and with the wrong motive

2. What is prayer and why do we need it? - contd Prayer is a steady communion with GOD. Just as with our earthly fathers, it is that daily chat and quality time spent together. Prayer is a dialogue and not a monologue Our LORD JESUS said that we should pray not to fall into temptation Our LORD JESUS said that men/women ought not to cease praying - example of the unjust judge(Luke 18 v 1 -7) Most Christians spend more time worrying and figuring things out by themselves than praying - why worry when you can pray? GOD’s INTENT IS TO FORM A RELATIONSHIP WITH US THROUGH PRAYER

2. What is prayer and why do we need it? - contd The “true Church” is called the “Bride of Christ” for a reason (Eph 5 v 25 -27, Rev 19 v 7 -9) GOD went to Adam and Eve in the cool of the day to have a chat and fellowship (Gen 3 v 8 -10) V 9: GOD called to the man “Where are you”. GOD is still asking the same question today to most believers GOD is not distant. HE is like the sun –though HE is in Heaven, HIS presence shines every where HE is a concerned FATHER and HE wants to know how HIS children are doing. A point of submission and dependency It is a privilege to have access to GOD The BIBLE declares GOD’s general will for HIS children but finding out GOD’s daily will for you requires a daily fellowship in prayer and worship.

The Ever-present GOD

The Ever-present GOD is called an omnipresent GOD => HE is literally everywhere Isa 6 v 1 -3: v 1: In the year that King Uzziah died => removal of anything offensive to GOD v 1: Prophet Isaiah saw the LORD sitting upon a throne High and lifted up an HIS train filled the temple v 2 -3: The seraphims keeps crying Holy, Holy is the LORD of Host: the whole earth is filled with HIS glory Not realising that GOD is truly “ever present” a lot of Christians seem to be praying to a far-away GOD

The Ever-present GOD Hab 2 v 14: So the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of GOD as the water covers the sea So long as the earth remains it shall be filled with the glory of GOD (Num 14 v 21, Isa 6 v 1 -3 and Ps 72 v 19) Ps 16 v 11: In THY presence is the fullness of joy Many parts of the world are filled with radio waves –though invisible they exist and one need to “tune in” and get connected. Similarly GOD is present everywhere and one need to also “tune in” and begin to enjoy the benefits of HIS power One way to tune in to GOD’s presence is by singing songs because GOD inhabits in the praises of HIS people(Ps 22 v 3)

3. Why do we pray? Just like in any relationship, prayer (our daily chat with GOD) helps to build and strengthen our relationship to our Heavenly FATHER. Our LORD JESUS said that MY sheep hears my voice(John 10 v 27) Prayer changes the one praying because the person is in GOD’s presence (James 4 v 8: Draw near to GOD and HE will draw near to you) Prayer brings Peace: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus, " (Phil. 4: 6 -7).

The LORD’s Prayer Matt 6 5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. 7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.

The LORD’s Prayer this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 9 In 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. 13 And 14 “For 15 But do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

May the LORD bless you as you keep HIS word Amen

The Effectual Fervent Prayer Introduction Prayer is the lifeline for any believer and it is one of the most effective tool if we want to walk victoriously as believers; overcome the evil one and finish our race faithfully “A prayer-less Christian is a powerless Christian” What is prayer ? Why do we need to pray? How do we pray effectively? Does GOD answer all prayers/why are some prayers not answered? When do we pray? Why do we need to pray and fast? How do we prayer and hear from GOD? What is the role of faith in prayer? What are the different types of prayers and uses? Praying with our mind vs praying in the Spirit

The Effectual Fervent Prayer is a key weapon against the devil and his minions The Church prayed and Herod was destroyed Paul and Silas prayed and the prison doors were open (for everyone) Prayer is the secret to operating in the spiritual (Elisha prayed that GOD will open the eyes of Gehazi) Prayer shuts the mouth of lions for Daniel Prayer delivers Jonah even from the belly of a whale

The Effectual Fervent Prayer Matt 7 v 7 -8: Level 1: Ask and it will be given to you, - In this case, you are given a gift and hence shouldn’t complain Level 2 Seek and you will find, - This is needed when you are looking for something NEW Level 3 Knock and the door will be opened When one is at a door, they don’t start to ask – rather they lift up their hand (more effort) and begin to hit the obstacle/impediment (the door) Many are happy to settle with cheap alternative from the enemy. Don’t take “No” for an answer

The Effectual Fervent Prayer Does GOD answer all prayers/why are some prayers not answered? Can every business make money? Yes, it depends on how it is being run and who is running it? …. . Similarly Can all prayers be answered? Yes, it depends how the prayer is being done and who is praying. Our LORD JESUS said that men/women ought not to cease praying example of the unjust judge(Luke 18 v 1 -7) V 7: Will not GOD give justice to HIS chosen ones who cry unto HIM day and night

The Effectual Fervent Prayer Key narrative: Hannah prayed persistently (1 Sam 1 v 1 - 20 V 3: Year after year Elkanah and Peninnah and Hannah were going to worship the Almighty GOD in Shiloh but Hannah was getting no answers to her prayers Hannah came near the GOD who does all things and still left empty handed V 4 -5: So long as Hannah is comfortable with the double portion, her womb remained closed -Though it might seem that she is “receiving double”, her rival Peninnah and all her sons and daughters (put together) were receiving more.

The Effectual Fervent Prayer -Without persisting in prayer people often believe that they are achieving more by pursuing other things. These are simply double portions. V 6 -8: Situation and challenges will keep afflicting believer as in the case of Hannah year after year until they (like Hannah) refuse to eat – hence rejecting the double portion V 9 -11: Now Hannah in bitterness has moved up her prayer level to ” knocking at the door” : -Eli was at the doorpost -Hannah made a vow to the LORD V 12: As she kept praying Hannah was now noticed by Eli v 14 -15: Hannah prayed to the point that seemed foolish even to a high

The Effectual Fervent Prayer v 17: Seeing her persistency, Eli now said, “Go in peace “ and the GOD of Israel grant you what you asked V 18: It was after Hannah received that word from Eli that she ate V 19: GOD remembered Hannah seeing that she has done her part Prayer takes effort There are lots of similarities between praying and working: Working takes effort hence people don’t like working. People only work when they realise that their livelihood depends on it. …. similarly Praying takes effort hence people don’t like praying. People only pray when they realise that their livelihood depends on it.