The Power of Prayer

1. The Power of Prayer Phil 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus Philippians 4:6-7

2. The Mind Free from Care Is Ready for Prayer • We can now come to God in faith, expecting answers • We are no longer unstable, double minded (James 1:6-8) • The Power of Prayer is Unlimited (Jer. 33:3) • The prayer of faith brings everything we need within our reach • “Faith makes the up-look good, the outlook bright, the in-look favorable and the future glorious” • Things Prayer Provides James 1:6-8 6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. Jer 33:3 Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.'

3. Prayer Provides Power for Difficult Days Jonah 2:1-2 Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the stomach of the fish, 2 and he said, "I called out of my distress to the LORD, And He answered me. I cried for help from the depth of Sheol; You heard my voice. Jonah 2:10 10 Then the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah up onto the dry land Dan 6:10 10 Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously. Dan 6:22 22 "My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths and they have not harmed me, inasmuch as I was found innocent before Him; and also toward you, O king, I have committed no crime." Acts 12:5 5 So Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God. Acts 12:7 7 And behold, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter's side and woke him up, saying, "Get up quickly." And his chains fell off his hands. • “In everything by prayer and supplication” • Prayer is God’s remedy for perplexing care • Nothing is too small for God to care about nor too big for Him to handle • Prayer has rescued heroes of the faith during tough times • David prayed and the Lord saved him from his troubles (Ps. 34:6) • Daniel prayed and survived the den of lions (Dan 6:10; 22) • Jonah prayed and was delivered from the fishes belly (Jonah 2:1-2; 10) • The church prayed for Peter in jail and he was freed by an angel (Acts 12:5; 7) • Paul and Silas prayed in prison and were rescued by an earthquake (Acts 16:25-26) • Prayer is the key to victory in every area of life Acts 16:25-26 25 But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them; 26 and suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison house were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were unfastened Ps 34:6 6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him And saved him out of all his troubles.

4. Prayer Provides Peace in Troubled Times • “And the peace of God… will guard your hearts and your minds” • There are two dimensions of biblical peace • The peace of God comes to us through His Son (John 14:27) • Peace with God comes through faith (Rom 5:1) • There is no peace for the wicked (Isa 48:22) • Prayer brings personal peace now to those who are in Christ • Peace comes through answered prayer (Matt. 7:7) • Peace comes through heartfelt supplication to the Savior (Mark 11:24) • Peace comes through praying in the powerful name of Jesus (John 14:14; 16:24) • Praying in faith brings peace that passes understanding John 14:14 "If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. John 16:24 " Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full. Mark 11:24 "Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. Rom 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ Isa 48:22 There is no peace for the wicked," says the LORD Matt 7:7 Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you

5. Prayer Provides Protection from Attacks of the Enemy • Christians are at war with powerful enemies (Eph. 6:11-12) • Paul reminds us we are equipped to stand against them • Spiritual armor is available for life’s constant conflicts • Prayer provides power for overcoming spiritual foes (Eph. 6:18) • Victors in this battle pray without ceasing (1st Thess. 5:17) • Rest daily in the powerful protection that prayer provides Eph 6:18 18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, Eph 6:11-12 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 1 Thess 5:17 17 pray without ceasing;

6. The Mighty Power of Prayer Is Beyond Our Understanding • We Can Expect Daily Victory Through the Power of Prayer