The Purpose of

The Church #6

“Prayer”

The Purpose of

The Church #6

“Prayer”Jeffery Anselmi

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=60987&Sermon%20The%20Purpose%20of%20The%20Church-%20Prayer%20by%20Jeffery%20Anselmi

Jeffery Anselmihttp://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=60987&Sermon%20The%20

Purpose%20of%20The%20Church-%20Prayer%20by%20Jeffery%20Anselmi

As we finish the purpose of the Church series, I hope that it has inspired some

thinking from each one of us about

what our purpose is and what we can do to better fulfill our

purpose at the Lindley Christian

Church.I want to finish this

series with a purpose that does not seem like one

that invokes a lot of excitement. It is an activity that every person no matter what his or her

physical limitations are can do.

As we finish the purpose of the Church series, I hope that it has inspired some

thinking from each one of us about

what our purpose is and what we can do to better fulfill our

purpose at the Lindley Christian

Church.I want to finish this

series with a purpose that does not seem like one

that invokes a lot of excitement. It is an activity that every person no matter what his or her

physical limitations are can do.

This activity is a channel of blessings

for all who will use it.This purpose is

prayer. Everything that we

do as individual Christians and as a church should be bathed in prayer.If prayer does not

drive sin out of your life, sin will drive

prayer out. We feel that we just do not have time to

pray.

This activity is a channel of blessings

for all who will use it.This purpose is

prayer. Everything that we

do as individual Christians and as a church should be bathed in prayer.If prayer does not

drive sin out of your life, sin will drive

prayer out. We feel that we just do not have time to

pray.

We are too busy to pray, and so we are

too busy to have power. We have a

great deal of activity but we

accomplish little; many services but few conversions; much machinery

but few results. (R. A. Torrey)

Other times we use prayer

only in an emergency.

We are too busy to pray, and so we are

too busy to have power. We have a

great deal of activity but we

accomplish little; many services but few conversions; much machinery

but few results. (R. A. Torrey)

Other times we use prayer

only in an emergency.

A young soldier who was fighting in Italy during World War II

jumped into a foxhole just ahead of some bullets. He immediately tried to deepen the hole for more protection and

was frantically scraping away the dirt with his hands.

He unearthed something metal and brought up a silver crucifix, left

by a former resident of the foxhole. A

moment later another leaping

figure landed beside him as the shells

screamed overhead.

A young soldier who was fighting in Italy during World War II

jumped into a foxhole just ahead of some bullets. He immediately tried to deepen the hole for more protection and

was frantically scraping away the dirt with his hands.

He unearthed something metal and brought up a silver crucifix, left

by a former resident of the foxhole. A

moment later another leaping

figure landed beside him as the shells

screamed overhead.

When the soldier got a chance to look, he

saw that his new companion was an

army chaplain. Holding out the

crucifix, the soldier gasped,

"Am I glad to see you!

How do you work this thing?“

When the soldier got a chance to look, he

saw that his new companion was an

army chaplain. Holding out the

crucifix, the soldier gasped,

"Am I glad to see you!

How do you work this thing?“

Prayer is important, Corrie Ten Boom ask us the question, “Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare

tire? Too many times

prayer is used as a spare tire instead of the steering wheel

of our and the churches lives.

What can we do to change this? Why

should prayer be an important part of

our lives?

Prayer is important, Corrie Ten Boom ask us the question, “Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare

tire? Too many times

prayer is used as a spare tire instead of the steering wheel

of our and the churches lives.

What can we do to change this? Why

should prayer be an important part of

our lives?

PRAYER SHOULD BE A PRIORITY FOR THE CHURCH BECAUSE…

PRAYER SHOULD BE A PRIORITY FOR THE CHURCH BECAUSE…

Jesus was devoted to prayer.

Jesus put a priority on prayer.

Luke 6:12 NET Now it was during this time that Jesus

went out to the mountain to pray, and he spent all

night in prayer to God.

Jesus was devoted to prayer.

Jesus put a priority on prayer.

Luke 6:12 NET Now it was during this time that Jesus

went out to the mountain to pray, and he spent all

night in prayer to God.

Luke 5:16 NET Yet Jesus himself

frequently withdrew to the wilderness

and prayed.Matthew 14:23 NET And after he sent the

crowds away, he went up the mountain by

himself to pray. When evening

came, he was there alone.

Luke 5:16 NET Yet Jesus himself

frequently withdrew to the wilderness

and prayed.Matthew 14:23 NET And after he sent the

crowds away, he went up the mountain by

himself to pray. When evening

came, he was there alone.

During His darkest hour, when He was

about to be crucified, during His

time of deepest need Jesus made time to pray. Luke 22:39 NET Then

Jesus went out and made his way, as he customarily did, to

the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. 40 When he came to

the place, he said to them, "Pray that

you will not fall into temptation."

During His darkest hour, when He was

about to be crucified, during His

time of deepest need Jesus made time to pray. Luke 22:39 NET Then

Jesus went out and made his way, as he customarily did, to

the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. 40 When he came to

the place, he said to them, "Pray that

you will not fall into temptation."

41 He went away from them about a stone's throw, knelt down, and prayed, 42 "Father, if you

are willing, take this cup away from me. Yet not my will but yours be done." 43

[Then an angel from heaven appeared to

him and strengthened him.

41 He went away from them about a stone's throw, knelt down, and prayed, 42 "Father, if you

are willing, take this cup away from me. Yet not my will but yours be done." 43

[Then an angel from heaven appeared to

him and strengthened him.

44 And in his anguish he prayed

more earnestly, and his sweat was like

drops of blood falling to the

ground.] 45 When he got up from

prayer, he came to the disciples and

found them sleeping, exhausted from grief. 46 So he said to them, "Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray

that you will not fall into temptation!"

44 And in his anguish he prayed

more earnestly, and his sweat was like

drops of blood falling to the

ground.] 45 When he got up from

prayer, he came to the disciples and

found them sleeping, exhausted from grief. 46 So he said to them, "Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray

that you will not fall into temptation!"

Whenever Jesus did something or before

He did something He prayer to God.

Raising of Lazarus. John 11:41 NET

So they took away the stone. Jesus

looked upward and said, "Father, I

thank you that you have listened to

me.

Whenever Jesus did something or before

He did something He prayer to God.

Raising of Lazarus. John 11:41 NET

So they took away the stone. Jesus

looked upward and said, "Father, I

thank you that you have listened to

me.

How much prayer meant to Jesus! It was not only his

regular habit, but his resort in every

emergency, however slight or

serious. When perplexed he

prayed. When hard pressed by work he

prayed. When hungry for

fellowship he found it in prayer. He

chose his associates and received his

messages upon his knees.

How much prayer meant to Jesus! It was not only his

regular habit, but his resort in every

emergency, however slight or

serious. When perplexed he

prayed. When hard pressed by work he

prayed. When hungry for

fellowship he found it in prayer. He

chose his associates and received his

messages upon his knees.

If tempted, he prayed. If criticized,

he prayed. If fatigued in body or wearied in spirit, he had recourse to his one unfailing habit of prayer. Prayer

brought him unmeasured power at the beginning, and kept the flow

unbroken and undiminished. There was no emergency,

no difficulty, no necessity, no

temptation that would not yield to

prayer. (S. D. Gordon, Quiet Talks on Prayer.

Christianity Today, Vol. 30, no. 5)

If tempted, he prayed. If criticized,

he prayed. If fatigued in body or wearied in spirit, he had recourse to his one unfailing habit of prayer. Prayer

brought him unmeasured power at the beginning, and kept the flow

unbroken and undiminished. There was no emergency,

no difficulty, no necessity, no

temptation that would not yield to

prayer. (S. D. Gordon, Quiet Talks on Prayer.

Christianity Today, Vol. 30, no. 5)

The early church was devoted to prayer.Acts 1:14 NET All these continued

together in prayer with one mind,

together with the women, along with Mary the mother of

Jesus, and his brothers.

Acts 2:42 NET They were devoting

themselves to the apostles' teaching

and to fellowship, to the breaking of

bread and to prayer.

The early church was devoted to prayer.Acts 1:14 NET All these continued

together in prayer with one mind,

together with the women, along with Mary the mother of

Jesus, and his brothers.

Acts 2:42 NET They were devoting

themselves to the apostles' teaching

and to fellowship, to the breaking of

bread and to prayer.

The Leadership of the church was devoted to prayer also!

Acts 6:4 NET But we (Leaders of the church) will devote

ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word."

Romans 12:10 NET Be devoted to one another with mutual love, showing eagerness in

honoring one another. 11 Do not lag in zeal, be enthusiastic

in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, endure in

suffering, persist in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the

saints, pursue hospitality.

The Leadership of the church was devoted to prayer also!

Acts 6:4 NET But we (Leaders of the church) will devote

ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word."

Romans 12:10 NET Be devoted to one another with mutual love, showing eagerness in

honoring one another. 11 Do not lag in zeal, be enthusiastic

in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, endure in

suffering, persist in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the

saints, pursue hospitality.

Prayer is a way to show

devotion to someone.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 NET

constantly pray,Prayer should be a

priority because God hears

us.Romans 8:26 NET In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know

how we should pray, but the Spirit

himself intercedes for us with

inexpressible groanings.

Prayer is a way to show

devotion to someone.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 NET

constantly pray,Prayer should be a

priority because God hears

us.Romans 8:26 NET In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know

how we should pray, but the Spirit

himself intercedes for us with

inexpressible groanings.

1 Peter 3:12 NET For the eyes of the

Lord are upon the righteous and his ears are open to

their prayer.But the Lord's face

is against those who do evil.

James 5:16 NET So confess your sins to

one another and pray for one

another so that you may be healed. The

prayer of a righteous person

has great effectiveness.

1 Peter 3:12 NET For the eyes of the

Lord are upon the righteous and his ears are open to

their prayer.But the Lord's face

is against those who do evil.

James 5:16 NET So confess your sins to

one another and pray for one

another so that you may be healed. The

prayer of a righteous person

has great effectiveness.

Acts 10:1 NET Now there was a man in Caesarea named

Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the

Italian Cohort. 2 He was a devout, God-fearing man, as was

all his household; he did many acts of

charity for the people and prayed to God regularly.

Acts 10:1 NET Now there was a man in Caesarea named

Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the

Italian Cohort. 2 He was a devout, God-fearing man, as was

all his household; he did many acts of

charity for the people and prayed to God regularly.

3 About three o'clock one afternoon he saw clearly in a

vision an angel of God who came in and said to him, "Cornelius." 4

Staring at him and becoming greatly afraid, Cornelius

replied, "What is it, Lord?" The angel said to him, "Your prayers and your

acts of charity have gone up as a

memorial before God.

3 About three o'clock one afternoon he saw clearly in a

vision an angel of God who came in and said to him, "Cornelius." 4

Staring at him and becoming greatly afraid, Cornelius

replied, "What is it, Lord?" The angel said to him, "Your prayers and your

acts of charity have gone up as a

memorial before God.

Acts 10:31 NET and said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and

your acts of charity have been

remembered before God.

Prayers were a memorial to God.

WHY? Faith!Prayer is the

channel from which blessings flow.

Mark 11:24 NET For this reason I tell

you, whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you have received it,

and it will be yours.

Acts 10:31 NET and said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and

your acts of charity have been

remembered before God.

Prayers were a memorial to God.

WHY? Faith!Prayer is the

channel from which blessings flow.

Mark 11:24 NET For this reason I tell

you, whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you have received it,

and it will be yours.

Matthew 21:22 NET And whatever you

ask in prayer, if you believe, you

will receive."John 16:24 NET Until

now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask

and you will receive it, so that your joy may be complete.

Prayer is the phone line to God.

Matthew 21:22 NET And whatever you

ask in prayer, if you believe, you

will receive."John 16:24 NET Until

now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask

and you will receive it, so that your joy may be complete.

Prayer is the phone line to God.

Prayer is the key that unlocks all the

storehouses of God’s infinite grace and power. All that God is, and all that God has, is at the

disposal of prayer. (R. A. Torrey)

Prayer is a way to express

thanksgiving to God.

Prayer is the key that unlocks all the

storehouses of God’s infinite grace and power. All that God is, and all that God has, is at the

disposal of prayer. (R. A. Torrey)

Prayer is a way to express

thanksgiving to God.

It is probable that in most of us the spiritual life is

impoverished and stunted because we give so little place to gratitude. It is

more important to thank God for

blessings received than to pray for

them beforehand.

It is probable that in most of us the spiritual life is

impoverished and stunted because we give so little place to gratitude. It is

more important to thank God for

blessings received than to pray for

them beforehand.

For that forward-looking prayer,

though right as an expression of

dependence upon God, is still self-

centered in part, at least, of its interest; there is something we hope to gain by

our prayer. But the backward-

looking act of thanksgiving is

quite free from this. In itself it is quite

selfless.

For that forward-looking prayer,

though right as an expression of

dependence upon God, is still self-

centered in part, at least, of its interest; there is something we hope to gain by

our prayer. But the backward-

looking act of thanksgiving is

quite free from this. In itself it is quite

selfless.

Thus it is akin to love. All our love to God is in response to his love for us; it never starts on our

side. (William Temple, 3000 Quotations on

Christian Themes) Christianity Today, Vol. 32, no. 17.

1 John 4:19 NET We love because he

loved us first.

Thus it is akin to love. All our love to God is in response to his love for us; it never starts on our

side. (William Temple, 3000 Quotations on

Christian Themes) Christianity Today, Vol. 32, no. 17.

1 John 4:19 NET We love because he

loved us first.

Philippians 4:6 NET Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through

prayer and petition with thanksgiving,

tell your requests to God.

1 Timothy 2:1 NET First of all, then,

I urge that requests, prayers,

intercessions, and thanks be offered

on behalf of all people,

Philippians 4:6 NET Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through

prayer and petition with thanksgiving,

tell your requests to God.

1 Timothy 2:1 NET First of all, then,

I urge that requests, prayers,

intercessions, and thanks be offered

on behalf of all people,

We can have inner peace from prayer.

HOPENotice that when

things go bad, most people respond with

prayer.Philippians 4:6 NET Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through

prayer and petition with thanksgiving,

tell your requests to God. 7 And the

peace of God that surpasses all

understanding will guard your hearts

and minds in Christ Jesus.

We can have inner peace from prayer.

HOPENotice that when

things go bad, most people respond with

prayer.Philippians 4:6 NET Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through

prayer and petition with thanksgiving,

tell your requests to God. 7 And the

peace of God that surpasses all

understanding will guard your hearts

and minds in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 3:15 NET Let the peace of

Christ be in control in your heart (for you were in fact

called as one body to this peace), and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,

teaching and exhorting one

another with all wisdom, singing

psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, all with grace in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do it all in the name

of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:15 NET Let the peace of

Christ be in control in your heart (for you were in fact

called as one body to this peace), and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,

teaching and exhorting one

another with all wisdom, singing

psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, all with grace in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do it all in the name

of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

PRAYER SHOULD BE A PRIORITY BECAUSE OTHER PEOPLE NEED

PRAYER.

PRAYER SHOULD BE A PRIORITY BECAUSE OTHER PEOPLE NEED

PRAYER. People that we do not get a long with need our prayers.Matthew 5:44 NET But I say to you, love your enemy

and pray for those who persecute you,

Luke 6:28 NET bless those who curse

you, pray for those who mistreat you.You cannot hate

those you pray for.

People that we do not get a long with need our prayers.Matthew 5:44 NET But I say to you, love your enemy

and pray for those who persecute you,

Luke 6:28 NET bless those who curse

you, pray for those who mistreat you.You cannot hate

those you pray for.

The sick need our prayers.James 5:14 NET Is anyone among you ill? He should summon the elders of the

church, and they should pray for him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the

one who is sick and the Lord will raise him up — and if he

has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 So confess your sins to one another and pray for one another so that you

may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great

effectiveness.

The sick need our prayers.James 5:14 NET Is anyone among you ill? He should summon the elders of the

church, and they should pray for him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the

one who is sick and the Lord will raise him up — and if he

has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 So confess your sins to one another and pray for one another so that you

may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great

effectiveness.

Government and church leaders need

our prayers.When Edward

Everett Hale was chaplain of the U.S. Senate, someone

asked him, "Do you pray for the

senators, Dr. Hale?" He replied, "No, I

look at the senators and pray for the

country."Acts 12:5 NET So Peter was kept in

prison, but those in the church were

earnestly praying to God for him.

Government and church leaders need

our prayers.When Edward

Everett Hale was chaplain of the U.S. Senate, someone

asked him, "Do you pray for the

senators, Dr. Hale?" He replied, "No, I

look at the senators and pray for the

country."Acts 12:5 NET So Peter was kept in

prison, but those in the church were

earnestly praying to God for him.

Hebrews 13:17 NET Obey your leaders

and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls and will give an account for their work. Let them do this with joy and not with

complaints, for this would be no

advantage for you.

Hebrews 13:17 NET Obey your leaders

and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls and will give an account for their work. Let them do this with joy and not with

complaints, for this would be no

advantage for you.

PRAY FOR THEM PRAY FOR THEM 1 Timothy 2:1 NET First of all, then, I

urge that requests, prayers,

intercessions, and thanks be offered

on behalf of all people, 2 even for kings and all who are in authority,

that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness

and dignity.

1 Timothy 2:1 NET First of all, then, I

urge that requests, prayers,

intercessions, and thanks be offered

on behalf of all people, 2 even for kings and all who are in authority,

that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness

and dignity.

Other churches need our prayers.

2 Corinthians 9:13 NET Through the evidence of this service they will

glorify God because of your obedience to your confession

in the gospel of Christ and the

generosity of your sharing with them and with everyone.

14 With deep affection they will

pray for you because of the

extreme kindness that God has shown

you.

Other churches need our prayers.

2 Corinthians 9:13 NET Through the evidence of this service they will

glorify God because of your obedience to your confession

in the gospel of Christ and the

generosity of your sharing with them and with everyone.

14 With deep affection they will

pray for you because of the

extreme kindness that God has shown

you.

The lost need our prayers. Israel in the context.

Romans 10:1 NET Brothers and sisters, my heart's desire and prayer to God on behalf of my fellow Israelites is for

their salvation. 1 Timothy 2:1 NET First of all,

then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercessions, and

thanks be offered on behalf of all people, 2 even for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness

and dignity.

The lost need our prayers. Israel in the context.

Romans 10:1 NET Brothers and sisters, my heart's desire and prayer to God on behalf of my fellow Israelites is for

their salvation. 1 Timothy 2:1 NET First of all,

then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercessions, and

thanks be offered on behalf of all people, 2 even for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness

and dignity.

3 Such prayer for all is good and

welcomed before God our Savior, 4 since he wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the

truth.I believe that if we pray for those who

are lost, we will make an even

greater effort to reach them.

3 Such prayer for all is good and

welcomed before God our Savior, 4 since he wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the

truth.I believe that if we pray for those who

are lost, we will make an even

greater effort to reach them.

Prayer is an important function of the church. I do not how many times I would tell a

person who did not think they could do much that they could have a prayer ministry, usually

the response is not very enthusiastic.

Our failure to think of prayer as a privilege may be partly due to the fact that we can pray any time. The door to

prayer is open so continuously that we fail to avail ourselves

of an opportunity which is always there.

(Harry Emerson Fosdick, The Meaning of Prayer)

Prayer is an important function of the church. I do not how many times I would tell a

person who did not think they could do much that they could have a prayer ministry, usually

the response is not very enthusiastic.

Our failure to think of prayer as a privilege may be partly due to the fact that we can pray any time. The door to

prayer is open so continuously that we fail to avail ourselves

of an opportunity which is always there.

(Harry Emerson Fosdick, The Meaning of Prayer)

If we tell someone to do something that

seems hard or spectacular, we are

more apt to do it than to do

something as simple as prayer.

Like art, like music, like so many other disciplines, prayer

can only be appreciated when you actually spend time in it. Spending

time with the Master will elevate

your thinking.

If we tell someone to do something that

seems hard or spectacular, we are

more apt to do it than to do

something as simple as prayer.

Like art, like music, like so many other disciplines, prayer

can only be appreciated when you actually spend time in it. Spending

time with the Master will elevate

your thinking.

The more you pray, the more will be revealed. You will

understand. You will smile and nod your head as you identify

with others who fight long battles and find great joy on their knees. (Joni

Eareckson Tada) When we don’t

pray, it’s primarily

because we don’t sense our

need for God.No man should be

alone when he opposes

Satan.

The more you pray, the more will be revealed. You will

understand. You will smile and nod your head as you identify

with others who fight long battles and find great joy on their knees. (Joni

Eareckson Tada) When we don’t

pray, it’s primarily

because we don’t sense our

need for God.No man should be

alone when he opposes

Satan.

The church and the ministry of the

Word were instituted for this

purpose, that hands may be joined

together and one may help another. If

the prayer of one doesn’t help, the prayer of another

will. (Martin Luther, “Martin Luther-The Early

Years,”) Christian History, no. 34.Do you use prayer

as a spare tire instead of the

steering wheel?

The church and the ministry of the

Word were instituted for this

purpose, that hands may be joined

together and one may help another. If

the prayer of one doesn’t help, the prayer of another

will. (Martin Luther, “Martin Luther-The Early

Years,”) Christian History, no. 34.Do you use prayer

as a spare tire instead of the

steering wheel?