Advanced Prayer Disciplines

Currently, we’re in a message series called “Powerful Prayer.” God wants our prayers to be powerful and effective. Yet sometimes, we are not sure why we should pray at all. Why should we pray? There are a lot of good answers to that question. As a believer, you should pray because God commands it. You should pray because you love God and want to talk to Him. Believers should pray because they need God’s wisdom. We could go on and on about good reasons to pray.

This morning I want to answer the question “Why Pray?” by saying that you should pray because prayer has amazing power. Now your words by themselves have no power, but in prayer you communicate with the most powerful person in the universe, God Himself. The right kind of prayer releases the most powerful force that exists, the power of God.

Matthew 21:22 (NIV) If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.

That sounds pretty powerful to me. Last week, we talked about some of the basics of prayer. This week, my message is entitled “Advanced Prayer.” I believe that God has something to challenge each us today to pray more effectively.

What kind of power does God want your prayers to release? We need look no further than the Lord’s prayer to discover the answer.

Matthew 6:10 (NIV) Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

God intends the church to bring the kingdom of God to this earth through prayer. The kingdom of God is the spiritual sphere in which God is obeyed as King. So the kingdom comes as more people become believers. The kingdom expands as God gets more control of believer’s lives. God also intends for believers to bring about God’s will on earth through prayer. Is there anything better than God’s will in any situation? The answer is no. God’s will is good, pleasing and perfect (Romans 12:2).

So let’s look at the spheres in which prayer’s power is meant to be released. The first sphere that the amazing power of prayer can be released is in your life. The power of prayer can bring God’s kingdom and will into your life. Is there anything in your life or family that is not pleasing to God? Prayer can bring about change.

The second sphere that the amazing power of prayer can be released is in your church. Prayer is not just to be for yourself, but we are to pray for one another.

Ephesians 6:18 (NIV) And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

As believers pray together for one another even greater power is released. Finally, the third sphere that prayer releases God’s power is the world. The world is spiritual aspect around us that is in rebellion against God. The world includes all those who are not yet true believers, which is most of the people around you. Persistent prayer has the power to move those far from God to turn their hearts and lives over to Jesus.

Prayer is joining hands with God to expand His kingdom in this earth. There’s nothing more exciting to be part of. So let’s look at 3 principles of advanced prayer.

Listen to my August 8, 2010 message “Advanced Prayer.”

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