Don’t Forget the Seasoning
When We Gather
March 26, 2023
They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus. —Acts 1:14
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. —Acts 2:42
Devoted = to do something with intense effort, despite it’s difficulty.
Prayer is so great that wherever you look in the Bible, it is there. Why? Everywhere God is, prayer is. Since God is everywhere and infinitely great, prayer must be all-pervasive in our lives. —Tim Keller
How Should we pray for our church?
1.WISDOM IN DECISION MAKING
Then they all prayed, “O Lord, you know every heart. Show us which of these men you have chosen as an apostle to replace Judas in this ministry, for he has deserted us and gone where he belongs.” —Acts 1:24-25
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. —James 1:5-6
2.EFFECTIVNESS IN OUR MISSION
And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness. —Acts 4:29-31
3.ONE ANOTHER
So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. —Acts 12:5
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. —Galatians 6:2
Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God… —Romans 1:9
If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. —1 Corinthians 12:26
Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. —James 5:14-15
But there is one more HUGE thing that we need to be praying for our church.
“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. —John 17:20-21
“I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.” —John 17:22-23