Sweet “OUR” Of Prayer

Corporate Prayer And You

Objective of This Message

1. To Give Biblical Validity To Corporate Prayer

2. To Reveal The Blessings That Come From Corporate Prayer

3. To Address Objections And Attitudes toward Corporate Prayer

4. To Motivate God’s People To Participate In Corporate Prayer

Does The Bible Teach Corporate Prayer?

Yes!!!!!!!!Everything that we do needs to be

preceded, and under girded, and then followed up by prayer. Everything

needs to be bathed in prayer.

We gather together, sing together, worship together, minister together,

edify together, why should we not pray together.

Lets Learn From The Early Church

Act 1:14 these all were continuing with one accord in prayer and

supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His

brothers.Act 1:15 And in those days Peter stood

up in the midst of the disciples and said, (the number of names together

was about a hundred and twenty,)

Prior To Pentecost

The historic practice of the newly birthed church

Act 2:41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized. And the same day there were added about

three thousand souls.

Act 2:42 And they were continuing steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine, and in fellowship and in the breaking

of the loaves, and in prayers.

Peter’s report to the church

Act 4:24 And having heard, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord and said, Lord, You are the God who made the heaven and earth, and the sea, and all that is in them;…

Choosing Deacons for the church

Act 6:6 They set these before the apostles. And having prayed, they laid

hands on them.

Act 12:5 Then, indeed, Peter was kept in prison. But earnest prayer was made to God for him by

the church.

When Peter was arrested

Act 12:12 And thinking about it, he came to the

house of Mary the mother of John, whose last name was Mark; where many

had gathered together to pray.

Act 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, So, then, separate Barnabas and Saul

to Me for the work to which I have called them. Act 13:3 Then having

fasted and prayed and laid hands on them, they let them go.

The choosing of Barnabas and Saul

Act 20:36 And saying these things, kneeling, he prayed with them all.

Paul’s final words to the Ephesisans

THE RESULT OF CORPORATE PRAYER MEETINGS IN ACTS

The outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost Signs and wonders at the hands of the apostles

Bold witnessing to the word of God

The conversion of many priests The sending out of frontier

missionaries The establishment of new churches The rescue of apostles from prison

Objections To Corporate Prayer

1.Jesus taught we are To Pray alone in our closets

Mat 6:6 But you, when you pray, enter into your room. And shutting your door,

pray to your Father in secret; and your

Father who sees in secret shall reward

you openly.

Mat 6:5 And when you pray, you shall not be like the

hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the

synagogues and in the corners of the streets, so that they may be seen by

men. Truly I say to you, They have their reward.

Context

Jesus was speaking against individuals praying to be seen, not

against corporate prayer

Mat 6:9 Therefore pray in this way: Our Father, who is in Heaven,

Hallowed be Your name.

The Model Prayer of Jesus is not emphasizing personal prayer over

corporate prayer, but rather AUTHENTIC PRAYER.

Remember, the church was born out

of a corporate prayer meeting.

Why Do So Few Pray Corporately?

Attitudes Towards The Prayer Meeting

1. Domination of a few

2. Fear to pray out loud

3. Little Prayer – Mostly bible study

4. Canned safe prayers prayed every week5. It’s not that important

6. I don’t pray very well

7. It’s boring

8. God doesn’t hear my prayers9. I’m too tired

10. It is just another night away from my family

A Pleading To The Congregation

Come To Prayer Meeting

Start Or Join A Prayer Cell Group In Your Home

Join Me In Our Monthly Time Of Fasting And Prayer

Join Us In Prayer After The Sunday Evening Service

Why Do We Need To Pray AT The Prattville Alliance Church?We need to pray because we need God's guidance and grace.

We need to pray in gratitude for the richness of our shared life.

We need to pray for the suffering that surrounds us. We need to pray because we believe that God's vision for us to be “A Fountain Of Grace”, can only be fulfilled as we cry out to God praying in the Spirit.