The Power Of A Praying Church

TOPIC: The Power Of A Praying ChurchOPENING PRAYER: Father, let the altar of prayer in Your churches be revived. (Scroll down for RCCG Sunday School 1 November 2020 HYMN)MEMORY VERSE: “Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.” – Acts 12:5Also See: Open Heaven 1 November 2020 – Wolves In Sheep’s ClothingBIBLE PASSAGE: Matthew 18:18-20 KJV (RCCG Sunday School TEACHER’s Manual 1 November 2020)18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.INTRODUCTION:The church is God’s agency on earth that demonstrates His love, wisdom and power. Jesus said,”… I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven”. (Matthew 16:18-19). Prayer is a mighty weapon in the church with unprecedented outcomes upon the church, the world and God’s kingdom. Therefore, we must understand the role of the church through prayer and it’s resultant effects.TEXT REVIEW: Matthew 18:18-20A. Jesus, in this passage, talks about the potency of prayer.Whatsoever a believer binds on earth shall be bound in Heaven. v18a.…………………………………………………….. v18b.B. He goes further to emphasise the effect of corporate prayers in that ………………………………….. v19a.C. His presence is always with ……………………… v20.LESSON OUTLINESLESSON OUTLINE 1: REASONS AND CONDITIONS1. Question: Why does the Church pray?Answer: The church employs prayer:To make effective the word, the name, and the Spirit of God in fulfilling her divine mandate (Acts 2:42) because God listens to the church (Jeremiah 33:3; Matthew 18:19).For constant fellowship with God and with one another (Acts 2:42).For exhortation and edification, building of the faith of believers in God (Heb. 10:25; 1 Tim. 3:10)To remind God of His promises to protect His Church from the attack of the enemy (Matthew 16:18).For the demonstration of God’s power through miracles, signs and wonders (Acts 5:12; 12:5).2. Question: What are the conditions for effective and result-oriented prayers?Answer: For the prayer of the church to be effective and result-oriented:The members must live in holiness as saints of God because the prayer of sinner is abomination unto God (Proverbs 15:8).The church members must relate with singleness of heart and be united in faith (Acts 2:1; 4:25; 2 Peter 1:1).Such prayer must be scripture-based (Dan. 9:2-3), specific (Acts 4:29-30), fervent (James 5:16), spirit-led (Romans 8:26; Jude 29) and with the assurance of response from God (Acts 4:31. 1 John 5:14-15).CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Do you think your church is praying enough? Give reasons.LESSON OUTLINE 2: SCOPE AND RESULTS1. Question: What should the Church pray about?Answer: The prayer of the church should cover:Sinners’ conversion (Acts 2:21).Family needs (Acts 16:32).Nation’s request (Romans 10:1-3)People in authority and all men (1 Timothy 2:1-4)Church leaders (Colossians 4:3-4)Church work (Matthew 16:18-19)Individual requests (James 5:13).Wrestling territorial powers (James 5:13); etc2. Question: What is the essence of prayer?Answer: The earnest and sincere heart-prayers of the church, based upon the word of God, accomplish much. The results include:God’s presence and power (Acts 4:31)Boldness of the Saints to witness (Acts 14:3)Empowerment of believers for exploits (Acts 4:33); Growth of the church (Acts 5:12-14).Spiritual strength and maturity (Col. 1:9-11).Prosecution of the world evangelisation through mission outreaches (Acts 13:1-3).Miracles, signs and wonders (Acts 5:12).God’s visitation to release incarcerated saints (Acts 12:5-11).CLASS ACTIVITY 2: What do you think will happen if the Church refuses to pray?SUMMARY: The effectual fervent prayer of the Church makes manifest the power of God.CONCLUSION: Prayer makes the church grow, glow and gracious. The major hindrance to the prayer of the church is sin and disunity.EVALUATION: What should the church pray about?CLOSING PRAYER: Father, let the fire of prayer continue to burn in your church.