The Power of Prayer – February 18, 2024
Pastor Aimee Mayol
Acts 1:12-14 (CSB)
12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, which is near Jerusalem—a Sabbath day’s journey away.
13 When they arrived, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James.
14 They all were continually united in prayer, along with the women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
Roadblocks to powerful prayers:
Hebrews 10:19-22 (CSB)
19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus,
20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body,
21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God,
22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
- Sin and our old nature
Psalm 51:10-12 (CSB)
10 God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not banish me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore the joy of your salvation to me, and sustain me by giving me a willing spirit.
Hebrews 4:12 (CSB)
12 For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Romans 8:1-4 (CSB)
1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus,
2 because the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.
3 For what the law could not do since it was weakened by the flesh, God did. He condemned sin in the flesh by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh as a sin offering,
4 in order that the law’s requirement would be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
- The enemy, accuser
Romans 8:31 (CSB)
31…If God is for us, who is against us?
To have powerful prayers we must:
- Be people of obedience
Acts 1:4 (CSB)
4 While he was with them, he commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father’s promise. “Which,” he said, “you have heard me speak about.
2. Be people of expectancy
Acts 1:7 (CSB)
7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority.
Isaiah 40:31 (CSB)
31 but those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength;
3. Be people of unity
Acts 1:14 (CSB)
They all were continually united in prayer…
Ephesians 4:2-3 (ESV)
2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
3 making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
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