Embrace the Prayer Life of Christ! Jerry D. Porter

Embrace the Prayer Embrace the Prayer Life of Christ!Life of Christ!

Jerry D. PorterJerry D. Porter

Church of the Nazarene Church of the Nazarene Intermountain DistrictIntermountain District

May 10, 2012May 10, 2012

Church of the Church of the Nazarene Nazarene

Core Values:Core Values:We are ChristianWe are ChristianWe are HolinessWe are Holiness

We are Missional We are Missional

The Mission of the The Mission of the Church of the Church of the

Nazarene:Nazarene:To make To make

Christlike disciples Christlike disciples in the nations in the nations

Embrace Embrace the prayer the prayer life of life of Christ!Christ!

“History is silent about revivals that did not begin with prayer.” Edwin Orr

>>All the time that Peter was under All the time that Peter was under heavy guard in the jailhouse, the heavy guard in the jailhouse, the church prayed for him most church prayed for him most strenuously. strenuously. Acts 12:5 (MSG)Acts 12:5 (MSG)

>>”” ektenes=stretch out ektenes=stretch out>>Expect the Expect the crazycrazy & the & the impossible!impossible!

““All I know is that when I pray, All I know is that when I pray, coincidences happen and coincidences happen and

when I donwhen I don’’t pray, they dont pray, they don’’t t happen.happen.”” Dan HayesDan Hayes

Since prayer is at the bottom of all Since prayer is at the bottom of all this, what I want mostly is for men this, what I want mostly is for men to pray— not shaking angry fists to pray— not shaking angry fists at enemies but at enemies but raising holy raising holy hands to Godhands to God.. And I want women And I want women to get in there with the men in to get in there with the men in humility before God, not primping humility before God, not primping before a mirror or chasing the before a mirror or chasing the latest fashions but doing latest fashions but doing something beautiful for God and something beautiful for God and becoming beautiful doing it.becoming beautiful doing it.

1 Tim 2:8-10 1 Tim 2:8-10 (MSG)(MSG)

>>Jehoshaphat bowed with his Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the groundface to the ground, and all , and all the people of Judah and the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in Jerusalem fell down in worship before the LORD. worship before the LORD. Then some Levites . . . stood Then some Levites . . . stood up and praised the LORD, the up and praised the LORD, the God of Israel, with God of Israel, with very loud very loud voicevoice. . 2 Chron 20:18-19 2 Chron 20:18-19 (NIV)(NIV)

>>We do not know what to do!We do not know what to do!

>>A woman whose little daughter A woman whose little daughter was possessed by an evil spirit was possessed by an evil spirit came and came and fell at his feetfell at his feet..““ Even Even the dogs under the table eat the the dogs under the table eat the children‘s crumbs.children‘s crumbs.”” (Mk 7:25, 28 NIV)(Mk 7:25, 28 NIV)

>>  prospipto  prospipto>>to fall forwards, to fall forwards, prostrate prostrate one's selfone's self in homage or suppli- in homage or suppli-cation: at one's feet cation: at one's feet (Strong's)(Strong's)

>>Desperate Desperate prayer!prayer!

PRAYER & FASTINGPRAYER & FASTING

PENITENCE: The Israelites gathered PENITENCE: The Israelites gathered together, fasting and wearing sackcloth together, fasting and wearing sackcloth and having dust on their heads… They and having dust on their heads… They stood in their places and confessed their stood in their places and confessed their sins and the wickedness of their fathers. sins and the wickedness of their fathers. They stood where they were and read They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the LORD from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day, and their God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the LORD their God. worshiping the LORD their God. (Neh 9:1-3)(Neh 9:1-3)

PRAYER & FASTINGPRAYER & FASTING

HUMILITY: When you fast, do not look HUMILITY: When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.reward you. (Matt 6:16-18 NIV)(Matt 6:16-18 NIV)

PRAYER & FASTINGPRAYER & FASTING

THE CHURCH PASSIONATELY THE CHURCH PASSIONATELY SEEKING GODSEEKING GOD’’S DIRECTION AND S DIRECTION AND BLESSING: While they were worshiping BLESSING: While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." the work to which I have called them." So after they had fasted and prayed, So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and they placed their hands on them and sent them off. sent them off. (Acts 13:2-3 NIV)(Acts 13:2-3 NIV)

PRAYER & FASTINGPRAYER & FASTING

EstherEsther’’s fast – no food or drinks fast – no food or drinkJesusJesus’’ fast – liquid only fast fast – liquid only fast DanielDaniel’’s fast – eliminate pleasurable s fast – eliminate pleasurable

food or activityfood or activity

Purpose:Purpose:Not to obtain what I want but to be Not to obtain what I want but to be

changed so Godchanged so God’’s will may be dones will may be done

As Jesus and his disciples were As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a on their way, he came to a village where a woman named village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be preparations that had to be made. She came to him and made. She came to him and asked,asked,

"Lord, don't you care that my "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" by myself? Tell her to help me!" "Martha, Martha," the Lord "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. only one thing is needed. Mary Mary has chosen what is better, and it has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."will not be taken away from her."

(Luke 10:38-42 NIV)(Luke 10:38-42 NIV)

Martha was distracted (Martha was distracted (perispaoperispao) ) ””periperi”” = = around, & around, & ““spaospao”” = to pull. = to pull.

Mary was sitting with Jesus Mary was sitting with Jesus ((parakathestheisaparakathestheisa) ) KathezomaiKathezomai to seat oneself. to seat oneself. ParaPara = near or by the side of. = near or by the side of. ProsPros means that she sat very near or means that she sat very near or

close to Jesus. close to Jesus. NkouenNkouen from from akouoakouo = she was listening = she was listening

with understanding.with understanding.

In verse 42 Jesus says there is In verse 42 Jesus says there is only only ““one needful thing one needful thing and Mary and Mary has chosen it.has chosen it.””

Martha on the other hand is Martha on the other hand is diakoniandiakonian which means she is which means she is serving, waiting, or the act of serving, waiting, or the act of rendering friendly offices.rendering friendly offices.

“The sin of prayerlessness is one of the deepest roots of all evil. In it are embedded all the other sins of pride, arrogance, independence, self-sufficiency, unbelief and rebellion… And it is the one sin to which we must all plead guilty.” Andrew MurrayAndrew Murray

Jim Cymbala accepted the Jim Cymbala accepted the call to pastor a difficult church call to pastor a difficult church in New York City. The Holy in New York City. The Holy Spirit told him, Spirit told him, ““If you and If you and your wife will teach the your wife will teach the church to pray, I will grant church to pray, I will grant you a great harvest.you a great harvest.””

Cali, Colombia

House of PrayerChurch of the Nazarene

5,000 in weekly Prayer & Fasting5,000 in weekly Prayer & Fasting

Christlike DisciplesThe Prayer Life of Christ

Christlike DisciplesThe Prayer Life of Christ

Christlike DisciplesThe Prayer Life of Christ

Christlike DisciplesThe Prayer Life of Christ

The heartbeat of a great church is the personal

and collective prayer life of its people!

The heartbeat of a great church is the personal

and collective prayer life of its people!

Embrace the Embrace the prayer life of prayer life of

Christ!Christ!

“All you need to do to learn to pray is to pray.” Wesley Duewel

Embrace the Prayer Embrace the Prayer Life of Christ!Life of Christ!

Concert of PrayerConcert of Prayer Jerry D. PorterJerry D. Porter

Church of the Nazarene Church of the Nazarene Intermountain District - May 11, Intermountain District - May 11,

20122012

Embrace the Embrace the prayer life of prayer life of

Christ!Christ!

“All you need to do to learn to pray is to pray.” Wesley Duewel

Praise and ThanksgivingPraise and Thanksgiving

In groups of three:In groups of three:Exalt and magnify the Exalt and magnify the

Lord God!Lord God!Express your gratitude for Express your gratitude for

the Fatherthe Father’’s blessings in s blessings in your life!your life!

Our Father which art in heaven, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. Amen. (Matt 6:9-13 KJV)(Matt 6:9-13 KJV)

Prayer for the LostPrayer for the Lost

I urge, then, first of all, that I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for and thanksgiving be made for everyone… This is good, and everyone… This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. come to a knowledge of the truth.

(1 Tim 2:1, 3-4 (1 Tim 2:1, 3-4 NIV)NIV)

Cry out for your ChildrenCry out for your ChildrenArise, cry out in the night, as Arise, cry out in the night, as the watches of the night begin; the watches of the night begin; pour out your heart like water in pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to him for the lives your hands to him for the lives of your children of your children (Lam. 2:19 NIV)(Lam. 2:19 NIV)

Prayer for the LostPrayer for the Lost

In groups of three:In groups of three:Each person is invited to Each person is invited to

share three or more share three or more names of lost family and names of lost family and friends.friends.

Pray by name for each Pray by name for each person who needs Christ.person who needs Christ.

Prayer GuidePrayer Guide

•SchoolsSchools•GovernmentGovernment•FinancesFinances•Muslim Muslim neighborsneighbors•Peace and Peace and Justice in the Justice in the worldworld

•The CrossThe Cross•Marriage Marriage •ChildrenChildren•FamilyFamily•Lost family & Lost family & friendsfriends•HealthHealth•Your ministryYour ministry

Prayer for the World!Prayer for the World!

Africa RegionAfrica Region

EurasiaEurasiaRegionRegion

USA/Canada RegionsUSA/Canada Regions

Caribbean, Mexico, Central Caribbean, Mexico, Central & South America Regions& South America Regions

Asia Pacific Asia Pacific RegionRegion

Petitions and NeedsPetitions and Needs

In groups of three:In groups of three:Each person is invited to Each person is invited to

share one or two of the share one or two of the most important or urgent most important or urgent prayer requestsprayer requests

Prayer for HealingPrayer for Healing

Come forward and share your Come forward and share your request for request for Physical healing (for Physical healing (for

yourself or a loved one)yourself or a loved one)Emotional healingEmotional healingSocial healingSocial healingSpiritual healingSpiritual healing

Embrace the Embrace the prayer life of prayer life of

Christ!Christ!