Prayer defines Christianity

Bikers Church Cape Town

Prayer defines Christianity (It’s the clear identification mark of a saved life) By: Pastor George Lehman “True prayer is a way of life, not just for use in cases of emergency. Make it a habit, and when the need arises you will be in practice” - Billy Graham Two boys were on their way back from Sunday School, talking about prayer they had learned. One boy said, “I’m not sure my mommy prays”. The other said, “My mom prays every night, because when she puts me to bed, I hear her say ‘thank you Lord”. When saying his prayers one night, a little boy was heard to say, “Please God, make Paris the capital of Turkey”. After repeating it several times, his mother asked why it was so important to him? He said, “Because that’s what I wrote in my Geography exam”. “There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful than that of a continual conversation with God.” - Brother Lawrence 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (Amp) - Be unceasing in prayer The reason why we need to be unceasing in prayer is: Prayer has infinite power. And for this reason Satan tries everything to prevent us from praying. He knows that we are not a real danger when we work and accomplish a great deal – even if it is for the Kingdom of God. But when we pray much, we invade Satan’s dominion and rob him of his captives. There is nothing Satan dreads so much as our prayers. “Prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and an affliction for Satan.” - Bunyan “Need we wonder at the lack of power in our prayer when there is such reluctance to make the needful sacrifice in waiting upon God?” - Andrew Murray James 5:16b (Amp) - The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]. 2 Corinthians 5:21 (Amp) – For our sake He made Christ [virtually] to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in and through Him we might become [endued with, viewed as being in, and examples of] the righteousness of God [what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His goodness]. Prayer is a matchless opportunity, for through prayer we can change everything - ourselves, problems, circumstance and people. Prayer can go where we can’t! What an unspeakable grace to be allowed to deal with God in prayer for the blessing and supply of the needs of others. It is indeed worth living for to know that God will use me as an Intercessor. Out of compassion in action flow these 3 functions of intercession: The action of intervening on behalf of another. Matthew 9:36 – When Jesus saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion. #1 Intercession is serving. It’s making oneself available. Jesus our chief intercessor said: Mark 10:44-45 (Amp) - 44And whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45For even the Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and give His life as a ransom for many. Serve [Greek] in Mark 10:45 is ‘doulos’ meaning “in bondage by choice”. You cannot pray effectively for others if you don’t have the servant heart of Jesus Christ. Prayer is striking the winning blow. Service is gathering up the results. When last did you choose to place yourself in bondage to stand in the gap for others? #2 Intercession is fighting. It’s being involved in battle. Ephesians 6:18 (Amp) - Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit with all (manner of) prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God’s consecrated people). Dr. Luke the disciple describes the intensity of Jesus’ battle in prayer: Luke 22:44 (Amp) - And being in agony*, He prayed all the more earnestly and intently, and His sweat became like great clots of blood dropping down upon the ground. *Agony [Greek]: A place of contest; a battlefield. When we intercede for others we are engaging in battle on their behalf. Interestingly, their victory brings blessing to us too! Job 42:10 (Amp) – And the Lord turned the captivity of Job and restored his fortunes, when he prayed for his friends; also, the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. What a greater joy is it not to see God change the circumstances of someone whom you have been praying for!! The enemy is running wild because we are not interceding for those in need. #3 Intercession is weeping. It’s brokenness before God. Psalm 126:5 “They who sow in tears shall reap in joy and singing. “Tears are water to spiritual seeds we plant in prayer”. The result will be a bountiful harvest from our brokenness. When last did you pray for someone that you shed tears for them? Child of God, God counts on you to take your place before His throne as an INTERCESSOR. Let us ARISE and be conscious of our Holy calling. Take our place and commit to be a prayer warrior for God’s Kingdom. In closing: It is not just saying prayers that gets the results BUT it is spending time with father God: - Learning His wisdom; - Drawing on His strength; - Being filled with His anointing; - And living in His love that brings results to our prayers.