02-03-2014_am_Brain Nish - Becoming a house of prayer

‘BECOMING A HOUSE OF PRAYER’ Or ‘BECOMING A MAN/WOMAN OF PRAYER’ INTRODUCTION Most people cringe at the thought of prayer because they think it’s boring, or they feel inadequate, or feel guilty because they think they don’t pray enough We probably all pray a lot more than we think! Prayer can be fun, exciting, adventurous, dangerous, and prophetic! A Core Value: “When I pray, He answers” – and when He answers, He does good things, because He is a good God Math 6v6 – But you – WHEN you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut the door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place, and your Father who sees in secret, will reward you openly Luke 18v1 – And then He spoke a parable to them, that men ALWAYS ought to pray and not lose heart Mark 11v17 – My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations • Jesus says ‘WHEN’ you pray – not ‘IF’ you pray • Jesus says we should ALWAYS pray, and not lose heart • Jesus says ‘My house (the church) shall be called a house of prayer for all nations God’s House 2 Cor 5v1-2(NASB) – For we know that if the earthly tent, which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens, For indeed in this house we grown, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven… 1 Tim 3v15 – I write that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God 1 Pet 2v5 – you also, as living stones, are being built up into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ • I am a house of God - therefore I should become a house of prayer • We are a house of God – therefore we should become a house of prayer • One explanation of being a house of prayer is: ‘God speaks to us and moves our hearts – then we speak those very words back to God – and this moves His heart’. The result is God’s resources are released into the earthly realm. The mystery is how simple it is: ‘We just tell God - what He tells us - to tell Him’ Quotes on Prayer Prayer is the most vital work of the church Prayer is a privilege, because we can influence God, and access heaven’s resources Prayer is the key that unlocks the storehouses of heaven Prayer is where the action is Prayer is a two-way conversation Prayer is the real work – evangelism is just the mopping up Prayer should not be regarded as a duty which must be performed, but rather as a privilege to be enjoyed, a delight that is always revealing some new beauty Prayer is the secret of power Prayer is not conquering God’s reluctance, but taking hold of God’s willingness The greatest tragedy in life is not unanswered prayer, but unoffered prayer The only time my prayers are never answered is on the golf course (Billy Graham) If the church wants a better pastor, it only needs to pray for the one it has!!! When we rely upon organisation, we get what organisation can do When we rely upon education, we get what education can do But when we rely upon prayer, WE GET WHAT GOD CAN DO!!! JESUS AND THE EARLY CHURCH PRAYED There are approx 95 references in the Gospels and Acts to ‘Prayer’ Mark 1v35 – Now in the morning, having risen a long time before daylight, Jesus went out and departed to a solitary place, and there He prayed Luke 5v16 – So Jesus often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed Heb 7v24-25 – But, Jesus, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore He is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them Acts 1v14 – These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the woman and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers Acts v 24 & 31 – So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth, and the sea, and all that is in them…And when they prayed the place where they were assembled was shaken, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness DIFFERENT KINDS OF PRAYER Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness to pray (Rom 8v26-27) Prayer of agreement (Math 18v19) Prayer of faith (Mark 11v24) Intercessory prayer (Ez 22v30 – standing in the gap) Conversational prayer (Talking to and listening to God, just as you would in a normal conversation with anyone else) Prophetic prayer (Ez 37v1-14 – listening to God then prophesying to dry bones) Prayer in tongues (1 Cor 14v2 – often when we run out of words in English) Petitioning prayer (Luke 11v5-13 – asking for bread) Prayers of thanksgiving (Phil 4v6; 1 Thess 5v17-18) Prayers of declaration and authority (Personalise and declare over your life and circumstances the word of God and these things that agree with His word) Blessing prayers (Num 6v23-27 – This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them: The Lord bless you and keep you…) IN THE PRAYER CLOSET (Secret Place) • Have a regular place to meet with God • Prayer is a connection of intimacy – intimacy between Father God and yourself in the secret place • Have a notepad to write down all the distracting thoughts which come to mind, and write them down (these thoughts could be from God?) • It is always good to start with remembering who God is: ‘Our Father – in heaven’ – ruling and reigning from His throne in the third heaven - and worship Him. This brings perspectives to life’s situations • Take time to enjoy His presence and bask in His love and goodness • Ask Father if there is anything particular He wants you to pray about. If nothing comes to mind, begin to bring your petitions to Him. Remember God knows every hair upon your head, therefore He cares about the little details in your life. Nothing in your life is too small for God to care • When you have brought your petitions, then listen to see if there are any answers. If there are, write them down • Take more time to enjoy His presence and interact with Him • Personal testimony – Russian tongue/picture – Chinese tongue – sometimes I know what I’m praying about, at other times I don’t • Remember – ‘In His presence is fullness of joy, and at His right hand are pleasures for evermore’ (Psalm 16v11); ‘Even them I will bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer’ (Isa 56v7). Don’t become an intense, burdened, weary intercessor – there’s joy in the house of prayer!!!