THE CHRISTIAN PRAYER LIFE

Topic: The power in the prayer of God's people.

Text: James 5:16.

 

Prayer can simply be define as the communication between God and His people,it is talking to God and God talking to you also.It is referred to as the oxygen(air) God's people breathe in,to ensure sustenance and living.As air(oxygen) is necessary to sustain the life of human,so also is prayer necessary to sustain the life of God's people with Him.The moment a christian cease to pray,fainting starts and that may eventually leads to the death of such a christian.

For better understanding of this topic,three key points are to be considered...

Points To Consider

Point 1: The personality of God's people

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Point 2: The prayer of God's people.

Point 3: The power packed prayer of God's people.

Details

Point 1: The personality of God's people.

      James 5:16,John 1:12,Romans 8:14,Galatians 4:6.

God's people are those that knows God and whom God knows.It's not a one sided relationship,it requires both side recognizing each other.God's people are those who have been reconcile back to God through the acceptance of His Son,Jesus Christ who came to this world to die on the cross for the redemption of man(the people),so they can be reconcile back to his Father(God),so,without the acceptance of this mediator(Jesus),through total submission to him and giving of one life to him,asking for his blood to cleanse and purge us,man(the people) can't be in any relationship with God,muchless of being referred to as His people...(John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:).Everyone that receive this Savior of the whole world(I.e. Jesus) is a partaker of the promise of the Comforter whom Jesus Christ promised to send to those that accepts him as their Lord and thirst of him.This Comforter(I.e. the Holy Spirit),directs,monitors,comforts,counsels and leads the people of God....(Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.).This Spirit helps us have a strong relationship with God,whom is also our Father,by the help of this Spirit ,we can cry to him in prayers as his people and son....(Galatians 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.),our prayers are made to carry power,even when it seems we don't know what to pray as we ought to,the Spirit himself help our infirmities and makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered(Romans 8:26).

Point 2: The prayer of God's people.

James 5:16,psalms 24:3-4,Luke 6:45,Exodus 20:7,Matthew6:7,1John 5:14,Romans 12:11,Hebrews 11:6,Proverbs 15:8.

The prayer of God's people is not selfish,it's not coming from a filthy heart.It can be compared to a letter been sent to ascend the "Holy hill" of the LORD,or the voice of such a person sent to represent him/her stand in God's "Holy place"(Psalms 24:3-4). So,:-

(1) As a letter,it(prayer) must emerge from a clean hand(PS.24:4)

(2) As a voice,it(prayer) must come from a pure heart(Ps. 24:4).When the heart is pure,the mouth speaks pure things(Luke 6:45).

(3)Not for vanity sake(Ps. 24:4),as even the name of God must not be mentioned in vain(Exodus 20:7,Matthew 6:7),I.e. prayers should be offered only on biblical basis,things according to his will,then only will he hear(1John 5:14).

(4)It must be void of deceitful swearword I.e. oats or promises made out of eagerness or curiosity,maybe thinking it will kindof hasten the answers,whereby making them(the oats,swears) deceitfully,without the mind of redeeming them.

(5)It must be effectually tendered,it must be done in Spirit,not in flesh(John 4:24),not only made with our lips,but our heart connected to God(Matthew 15vs8).

(6)It must be fervently presented,prayer being an operation in the Spirit must be done fervently,according to the injunction of the scripture(Romans 12:11) and it should be diligently carried out(Hebrews 11:6).

(7)It must be a righteous man exercise for it to avail much(James 5:16),a sinner's prayer is an abomination to God,the power lies and His delight is in the prayer of the righteous,the upright only(Proverbs 15:8).

Point 3: The power packed prayer of God's people.

Jude 1:20,James 5:15;1:5-6,Acts 1:24-25,31;9:9,11;10:9-12;12:5-11;16:25-26,James 5:15.

Prayer is a great weapon in the hands of God's people,it changes everything and destroys every plans of the devil,leaving God's people victoriously."devil trembles,when the weakest christian goes on his knees".Prayer as we can see,does not have any specific format or position to take in offering it,but the main thing is that,a child of God must pray in faith(Jude 1:20,James 5:15;1:5-6).When the challenges of life comes our way or the sea billows roll,as a child of God,we don't complain,"when has complains ever solved a matter?",God should be the first you talk to about you needs,have a persevering prevailing prayer life,don't run to pastors for prayer,be the pilot of your life plane,"praying shows dependence on God",others can only join you in prayers,not praying for you.You may continue to carry necessary burdens,if you've refuse to carry it to the Lord in prayer,it's so great a privilege as a child of God to take everything to God in prayer,"God doesn't move in your life,when you try struggling or working things out yourself,He moves when you pray","prayer is the most important conversation you can have everyday",always PUSH(Pray Until Something Happen),never give up!.

* Moses faithful prayer helps the Israelite greatly out of Egypt and through the wilderness.

       * Hannah heart pouring prayer blesses her womb.

* Elijah authoritative prayer brought fire and rain down from heaven.

* Jeremiah compassionate prayer delivered his people from captivity.

* Daniel uncompromising prayer translated him to a greater position.

* Jesus Christ agonizing prayer strengthened him for the mission to save the whole world.

* The apostles importunate prayer brought the baptism of the Holy Spirit upon them.

Prayer accomplishes a multipurpose mission,it can be use to stop the lion's mouth,quench the fiery furnace,save the chief of sinners,deliver the oppress,heal the sick e.t.c

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* To give direction(Acts 1:24-25).

* Boldness to evangelize(Acts 1:24,31).

* Brings revelation from God(Acts 9:9,11;10:9-12).

* Freedom and deliverance(Acts 12:5-11).

* Breakthrough and liberation(Acts 16:25-26).

* Healing for the sick(James 5:15).

Prayer is a command,Jesus says,"pray without ceasing,it's not just an admonition,it's a command".The scripture says,"men ought always to pray and not to faint",prayer shows that believer is still living,"a prayer-less child of God,is a lifeless one".When you stop praying,you start fainting,which may eventually leads to death,if not restored by starting to pray.The prayer of your pastor,parents,partner is not enough for you to live,you need to develop your own personal prayer life.Jesus said to peter,pray,that ye enter not into temptation,although he said,he had prayed for him,but he still TD him to do so himself.So,my brother,my sister,go back to your prayer altar,get it revived,ask the lord to fill you with the spirit of prayer and supplication,tell him to teach you how to pray,I pray he makes you a prayer warrior by his grace.amen.