THE POWER OF PRAYER

Acts 8 NIV

“Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5For John baptized with ^a water, but in a few days you will be baptized with ^b the Holy Spirit.” Acts 1:4-5 NIV

Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives…and they joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. Acts 1:12 & 14 NIV

One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” 2He said to them, “When you pray, say:“ ‘Father, ^a

hallowed be your name,your kingdom come. ^b3Give us each day our daily bread.4Forgive us our sins,

for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. ^cAnd lead us not into temptation.

5Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; 6a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ 7And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ 8I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity ^e he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.

9“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.11“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for ^f a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Luke 11:1-13 NIV

1. Powerful prayer is the source of a power filled life.

You want power in your life? Pray powerful prayers.

One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” Vs 1

Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened, 22and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son;^c with you I am well pleased.” Luke 3:21  

In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. 13And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles:  Luke 6:12-13 ESV

16But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.Luke 5:12-15 ESV

Now it happened that as he was praying alone,the disciples were with him. And he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” 19And they answered, “John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.” 20Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.” Luke 9:18-20 ESV

And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. Luke 9:29

And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.Mark 1:35 ESV

Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’ Jeremiah 33:3 NKJ

1. Powerful prayer is based on a relationship with God our Father.

When you pray, say: “Father,”Luke 11:2

In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Fatherin heaven,Hallowed be Your name. Matthew 6:9 NKJ

In that dayyou will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Fatherin my name, he will give it to you. 24Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:23-24 ESV

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry,“Abba! Father!”  Romans 8:15 ESV

And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Soninto our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. Galatians 4:6 ESV

If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Vs 13 ESV

III. Powerful prayer is the key to seeing God’s will be done.

When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.”

Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven,hallowed be your name.10Your kingdom come,your will be done,on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:9-10 ESV

1. Powerful prayer is being concerned about others.

3Give useach day ourdaily bread.4Forgive us oursins, for wealso forgive everyone who sins against us. ^cAnd lead usnot into temptation.” Vs 4-5 ESV

You do not have what you want because you do not ask God for it. 3And when you ask, you do not receive it, because your motives are bad; you ask for things to use for your own pleasures. James 4:2-3 GNT

1. Powerful prayer is bold and brazen.

5Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; 6friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ 7And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ 8I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity ^e he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.

But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish. Psalm 9:18

1. Powerful prayer is persistent prayer.

Jesus said, Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 11“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for ^f a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Vs 9-10 ESV