“It has often been said that prayer is the greatest force in the universe. This is no exaggeration. It will bear constant repetition. In this atomic age when forces are being released that stagger the thought and Imagination of man, it is well to remember that prayer transcends all other forces.” F. J. Huegel
“Sinned as we have as a nation, yet to our sin we have added pride in our sinning. The world has lost the power to blush over its vice; the Church has lost her power to weep over it.” -Leonard Ravenhill
I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions. In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on servants—men and women alike. And I will cause wonders in the heavens and on the earth… Joel 2:28-30 NLT
That is why the Lord says, “Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish. Joel 2:12-13 NLT
Blow the ram’s horn in Jerusalem! Announce a time of fasting; call the people together for a solemn meeting. Gather all the people— the elders, the children, and even the babies. Call the bridegroom from his quarters and the bride from her private room. Let the priests, who minister in the Lord’s presence, stand and weep between the entry room to the Temple and the altar. Joel 2:15-17 NLT
- Blow the ram’s horn – Everyone needs to hear this message
- Sanctify a Fast – Twofold. Understanding the seriousness of the situation and desiring to be totally dependent on God.
- Call a Solemn Meeting – A designated time of prayer
- Gather All the People – There must be Unity
- Ministers of the Lord Weep – Leaders Go First
“This is what the lord says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the lord of Heaven’s Armies. Nothing, not even a mighty mountain, will stand in Zerubbabel’s way” Zechariah 4:6 NLT
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT
PRAYER MUST BE A COMPASS THAT GUIDES US NOT A FLARE GUN TO RESCUE US.
At times I might shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or command grasshoppers to devour your crops, or send plagues among you. Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. 2 Chronicles 7:13-14 NLT
Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. John 15:4 NLT
AN AUTHENTIC CHRISTIAN LIFE IS WHERE THOSE SPIRITUAL MOMENTS ARE NOT SPURTS IN OUR LIFE, BUT DAY-TO-DAY EXPERIENCES.
Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 NLT
LIFESTYLE OF PRAYER
- THE PRIORITY OF PRAYER
But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God. Daniel 6:10 NLT
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH GOD AND KEEP IT!
2. THE PLACE OF PRAYER
Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. Mark 1:35 NLT
3. THE PLAN OF PRAYER
Once Jesus was in a certain place praying. As he finished, one of his disciples came to him and said, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” Jesus said, “This is how you should pray: Luke 11:1-2 NLT
4. THE PERSONS OF PRAYER
YOUR VIEW OF GOD DETERMINES YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM.
The amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God, the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you. 2 Corinthians 13:14 MSG
- THE AMAZING GRACE OF JESUS
So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:14-16 NLT
“My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT
THE EXTRAVAGANT LOVE OF THE FATHER
For this reason I kneel before the Father. Ephesians 3:14 NLT
The lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. The lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. Psalms 103:8-13 NLT
- THE INTIMATE FRIENDSHIP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever–the Spirit of truth. John 14:16-17 NLT