WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.000 So this evening, from the book of Acts, we're thinking about this truth, that a healthy church 00:00:07.000 --> 00:00:12.700 is a praying church. And we're going to look at various texts in the book of Acts 00:00:12.700 --> 00:00:20.440 in a few moments to see that, but it's important for us to remember that prayer changes the world. 00:00:20.760 --> 00:00:25.440 That's how Doug Kelly begins his really helpful book on prayer. He says, 00:00:25.440 --> 00:00:33.200 A prayer makes good things happen because it gets God's will done and thus brings down his best 00:00:33.200 --> 00:00:44.260 blessings. We pray your kingdom come, your will be done. James O. Fraser, a famous missionary in 00:00:44.260 --> 00:00:50.859 southwest China to the Lizu people, said, it will only be known on the last day how much has been 00:00:50.859 --> 00:00:58.780 accomplished in missions by the prayers of earnest believers at home. Echoing what people in church 00:00:58.780 --> 00:01:07.439 history and mission history have said, that prayer is the work of mission. J.D. Greer, in his recent 00:01:07.439 --> 00:01:13.640 book, Just Ask, which I know some of us have been reading, he says, prayer is a preordained way 00:01:13.640 --> 00:01:23.980 that God has appointed for executing his will on earth. He goes on to say, we were saved to pray. 00:01:25.780 --> 00:01:36.859 God's design is that his people's prayers be instruments achieving his purposes. That's the way God has 00:01:36.859 --> 00:01:47.900 wired the world. So since all those things are true, prayer changes the world, prayer changes mission, 00:01:48.539 --> 00:01:53.719 prayer is designed by God to achieve his purpose, then we need to ask ourselves the question, why 00:01:53.719 --> 00:02:02.819 do we struggle to pray? Why don't we pray? Perhaps a moment of honesty, I would have us say, well, 00:02:02.819 --> 00:02:11.620 often it's because we're busy. Perhaps we'd say, well, often it just seems really ordinary, or I find it 00:02:11.620 --> 00:02:21.219 really awkward. Maybe we would say, well, I pray and nothing seems to change, I kind of give up. Or I don't 00:02:21.219 --> 00:02:32.799 seem to change, so it seems pointless. If prayer is the oxygen of the soul, do we find 00:02:32.819 --> 00:02:40.379 ourselves tonight as Christians and as a local church gasping for breath? Are we lacking power 00:02:40.379 --> 00:02:49.019 because we are not praying? The Bible reminds us over and over that our efforts, even our good 00:02:49.019 --> 00:02:55.319 efforts at serving God without prayer and without the Holy Spirit will serve no effect. 00:02:55.319 --> 00:03:03.120 A healthy church is a praying church. But we struggle with prayer. The church struggles with 00:03:03.120 --> 00:03:09.919 prayer. So to counter our struggles, in part, I want to remind us from the book of Acts of the vital 00:03:09.919 --> 00:03:16.620 place of prayer in the church from the beginning, and also to remind us of stories from God's Word and 00:03:16.620 --> 00:03:24.120 church history to encourage us about the value of prayer, the priority of prayer, so that we would 00:03:24.120 --> 00:03:30.960 pray, that we'd pray together, that we'd be praying often. Spurgeon, the great preacher, said, 00:03:31.039 --> 00:03:37.360 asking is the rule of the kingdom, so that we've learned to ask boldly because we understand 00:03:37.360 --> 00:03:46.920 that God has made us to pray for his kingdom to come. So the first section of God's Word we're 00:03:46.920 --> 00:03:51.960 going to look at tonight is from Acts chapter 1, verses 6 to 14, and our big point that we're going 00:03:51.960 --> 00:04:02.840 to see is that a healthy church is united in prayer. So Acts chapter 1, this is just as Jesus is about to 00:04:02.840 --> 00:04:10.759 depart. Then they gathered round him, so that's the eleven disciples around Jesus, and asked him, 00:04:10.819 --> 00:04:17.120 Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel? He said to them, it is not for 00:04:17.120 --> 00:04:22.720 you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority, but you will receive power when 00:04:22.720 --> 00:04:28.220 the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria 00:04:28.220 --> 00:04:34.520 and to the ends of the earth. After he had said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, 00:04:34.780 --> 00:04:40.620 and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, 00:04:40.720 --> 00:04:47.400 when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. Men of Galilee, they said, why do you stand 00:04:47.400 --> 00:04:53.740 here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in 00:04:53.740 --> 00:04:59.280 the same way you have seen him go into heaven. Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill 00:04:59.280 --> 00:05:06.360 called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath-stay's walk from the city. When they arrived, they went upstairs to 00:05:06.360 --> 00:05:11.560 the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, 00:05:11.740 --> 00:05:16.340 Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 00:05:16.699 --> 00:05:22.699 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, 00:05:22.699 --> 00:05:28.939 and with his brothers. So that's their pattern as they are waiting for the Spirit. And then 00:05:28.939 --> 00:05:35.879 Acts chapter 2, verse 42, after Peter's sermon at Pentecost, after the Spirit has come to the church, 00:05:36.060 --> 00:05:42.680 we read, they devoted themselves to the following things, to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, 00:05:43.159 --> 00:05:51.439 to the breaking of bread, and to prayer. So a healthy church is united in prayer, and we see that 00:05:51.439 --> 00:05:57.139 because that's the pattern from the beginning. So here's the apostles, and the apostles are appointed 00:05:57.139 --> 00:06:04.879 by Jesus as witnesses to Christ. And Jesus has told them, and they know that they need the Spirit. 00:06:06.319 --> 00:06:10.600 And Jesus said to them, the Spirit will help you to remember all that I taught. 00:06:12.100 --> 00:06:18.040 And Jesus said to them, the Spirit will help you to speak when you find yourself having to 00:06:18.040 --> 00:06:25.340 bear witness for Jesus, even in the face of opposition. And the Spirit within them would 00:06:25.340 --> 00:06:29.840 cause them to seek the glory of Jesus, because that's what the Spirit wants, for Jesus to be 00:06:29.840 --> 00:06:38.560 glorified. So their first task, in verse 4, is to wait for the gift my Father promised. 00:06:39.140 --> 00:06:44.700 To wait for the gift of the Spirit before beginning the mission of Jesus, continuing the mission of Jesus 00:06:44.699 --> 00:06:51.979 in the world. And so we find them waiting, we find them seeing Jesus ascend, and then they return 00:06:51.979 --> 00:06:59.459 back to the city as they were commanded. And in verse 13 and 14, we meet this church, and they're a church 00:06:59.459 --> 00:07:06.079 who are praying together, and they're a mixed group, aren't they? So the apostles are there, the 11 disciples, 00:07:06.560 --> 00:07:12.419 with the exception of Judas, are there. And we find that women are there gathering to pray. 00:07:12.420 --> 00:07:19.800 We find a special mention of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and also the brothers of Jesus. So sceptical 00:07:19.800 --> 00:07:28.439 of him, before meeting the risen Lord Jesus, now they're believers in him as Lord, God, and Savior. 00:07:29.360 --> 00:07:37.040 And what does it say? They all join together constantly in prayer. So the beginning of church life 00:07:37.040 --> 00:07:48.080 was marked by seasons of united prayer. There is togetherness. They are in one place, and they have one heart. 00:07:48.640 --> 00:07:54.280 This isn't a one-off thing. This is something they're doing constantly, because they are aware 00:07:54.280 --> 00:08:00.040 of the size of their task. Jesus has left. 00:08:00.040 --> 00:08:08.500 They need to continue the mission of Jesus. They need to be his witnesses to the ends of the earth. 00:08:09.319 --> 00:08:14.320 By their preaching and teaching, by the life that they live together, they'll be drawing people into 00:08:14.320 --> 00:08:19.920 the kingdom of God. They are representing Jesus, and they know they need the Spirit, and they know 00:08:19.920 --> 00:08:29.680 they need prayer. And then after Pentecost, the first church, so these 3,000 people who are converted by 00:08:29.680 --> 00:08:36.700 Peter's sermon, what does it say about them? It says they, 242, are devoted to prayer. 00:08:38.200 --> 00:08:44.000 Here's how they express their fellowship. Here's how they express their worship in meeting together 00:08:44.000 --> 00:08:50.879 to pray. Sometimes they would do that in a formal setting. So chapter 3, verse 1, we read, 00:08:50.879 --> 00:08:55.060 one day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer, at three in the afternoon. 00:08:55.059 --> 00:09:02.139 So as every Jewish person in the vicinity would gather to pray, so these first Christians would 00:09:02.139 --> 00:09:08.659 gather to pray. Their prayers are different, because Jesus said, we call God Father. But other times, 00:09:09.099 --> 00:09:15.479 their prayers were informal. In their house meetings, they were still devoted to prayer. So at all times, 00:09:15.579 --> 00:09:23.679 formal, informal, this is a church united and devoted to prayer. And that makes sense. 00:09:23.679 --> 00:09:31.219 The apostles had been with Jesus. Jesus, the ultimate man of prayer. Remember, they asked Jesus, 00:09:31.479 --> 00:09:38.500 teach us to pray. They heard Jesus teach. When you pray, say this. Not if you pray. 00:09:40.299 --> 00:09:49.039 Followers of Jesus pray. Instinct. They heard Jesus invite them to call God Father. They know they have 00:09:49.039 --> 00:09:54.719 this wonderful new relationship. And so these brothers and sisters prayed together for the Spirit 00:09:54.719 --> 00:10:01.139 in order that they would be witnesses. Now let's just pause for breath for a moment. 00:10:02.000 --> 00:10:11.500 What connects the Lewis revivals of the 1940s and 50s? There's Duncan Campbell up there. Perhaps some 00:10:11.500 --> 00:10:17.159 of us have read the account of the Lewis revivals. Perhaps some of us have heard the stories firsthand. 00:10:17.159 --> 00:10:21.579 What connects the Lewis revivals with the growth of the church in Korea? 00:10:22.839 --> 00:10:28.299 So we're really used to seeing Koreans come to study and to come to church and we hear about 00:10:28.299 --> 00:10:36.159 Korean fellowships. In 1900, only 1% of Korea was Christian. 2000, 29%. 00:10:36.719 --> 00:10:40.879 What accounts for the revival, what accounts for the growth of church? 00:10:40.879 --> 00:10:51.580 Church is prayer. God answers prayer. We can think about that from God's Word. Perhaps one of the most 00:10:51.580 --> 00:10:59.559 fascinating accounts is when we find Moses in the Old Testament pleading for sinful Israel 00:10:59.559 --> 00:11:07.080 after they made and began worshipping before the golden calf. And God comes to Moses and says, 00:11:07.080 --> 00:11:11.139 these people have rebelled. And do you know what? I'm going to start again with you. And what's 00:11:11.139 --> 00:11:18.180 God doing? He's inviting Moses to stand in the gap, to be an intercessor, to mediate for the people, 00:11:18.259 --> 00:11:24.820 to claim the promises of God, to claim the covenant. And he prays and God answers. 00:11:24.820 --> 00:11:38.420 Peggy and Christine Smith, two elderly sisters on the island of Lewis, praying God's promises for Lewis. 00:11:39.060 --> 00:11:46.640 And God answered and revival came. Prayer is God's means of building the kingdom. And he asks his people 00:11:46.640 --> 00:11:52.800 to commit to praying together for his kingdom to come and his will to be done. 00:11:54.820 --> 00:12:06.620 And I think the question for us is, do we believe that? And if we do, will we commit to praying 00:12:06.620 --> 00:12:16.860 and praying together? So we have lots of different opportunities to pray, whether that's online on a 00:12:16.860 --> 00:12:23.480 Monday, whether that's Sunday at five o'clock, whether that's at Wednesdays in community group or centrally. 00:12:23.480 --> 00:12:32.180 And do you know, if we understood the importance of prayer, this place would be packed out, wouldn't it? 00:12:33.080 --> 00:12:38.080 As we'd be calling on God to work in our church and in our city. 00:12:39.480 --> 00:12:46.680 It would be a priority for us if we remind ourselves that healthy church is united in prayer 00:12:46.679 --> 00:12:55.099 and our prayers change the world. So us praying together is vital to God's work in our community 00:12:55.099 --> 00:12:59.419 and it's vital for us knowing God's power as a church. 00:13:02.639 --> 00:13:05.679 Will we commit to praying together? 00:13:05.679 --> 00:13:14.159 So a healthy church is united in prayer. In a way, building on what we said last week, 00:13:14.479 --> 00:13:21.279 a healthy church supports preaching with prayer. That's the second thing I want us to notice, 00:13:21.579 --> 00:13:30.699 and that's from Acts chapter 4. So Acts 3 and 4, in a one long narrative, you find Peter and John, 00:13:30.700 --> 00:13:36.860 and Peter heals a lame beggar. And this gets the attention of the Sanhedrin, and they eventually 00:13:36.860 --> 00:13:44.379 end up being arrested and they're told to stop speaking about Jesus. Chapter 4. 00:13:46.800 --> 00:13:55.600 They're then let out and we find the disciples on their release, Peter and John, coming back to the 00:13:55.600 --> 00:14:04.460 church. So Acts chapter 4, verse 23 to 31. On their release, Peter and John went back to their own 00:14:04.460 --> 00:14:10.420 people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. When they heard this, 00:14:10.899 --> 00:14:17.960 they raised their voices together in prayer to God. Sovereign Lord, they said, you made the heavens 00:14:17.960 --> 00:14:25.700 and the earth and the sea and everything in them. You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your 00:14:25.700 --> 00:14:33.160 servant, our father David. Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth 00:14:33.160 --> 00:14:37.759 rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed one. 00:14:38.400 --> 00:14:43.800 Psalm 2. Indeed, Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel 00:14:43.799 --> 00:14:50.639 in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus whom you anointed. They did what your power 00:14:50.639 --> 00:14:58.279 and will had decided beforehand should happen. Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your 00:14:58.279 --> 00:15:04.299 servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and 00:15:04.299 --> 00:15:09.979 wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus. After they prayed, the place where they were 00:15:09.980 --> 00:15:18.019 meeting was shaken and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. 00:15:18.860 --> 00:15:25.379 So Peter and John are released. They go back to the church and they go back to prayer. This is their 00:15:25.379 --> 00:15:32.820 instinct. This is their oxygen. They're in a stressful and a dangerous situation. Just as Jesus faced 00:15:32.820 --> 00:15:38.440 persecution, he told his followers they too would face persecution. They are experiencing that in their 00:15:38.440 --> 00:15:44.920 arrest and that in their arrest and that becomes for them a reason to pray. First thing they do, though, 00:15:45.400 --> 00:15:53.140 is they worship God as they pray. And I think there's a really helpful reminder for us as we 00:15:53.140 --> 00:15:56.620 pause. In our anxious times, 00:15:57.120 --> 00:16:01.040 when our hearts get all unsettled, 00:16:01.039 --> 00:16:07.000 it's an invitation for us to talk to our hearts about our God. 00:16:08.000 --> 00:16:11.299 That's where peace comes from. That's where restoration 00:16:11.299 --> 00:16:16.240 in the midst of anxiety is going to come from when we talk to our hearts about who 00:16:16.240 --> 00:16:19.719 our God is. And that's what they do here. 00:16:21.000 --> 00:16:22.519 And again, just as an aside, 00:16:23.120 --> 00:16:24.079 we recognize 00:16:24.080 --> 00:16:32.220 that these first followers of Jesus, that the way that they pray matches the prayer focus of Jesus. 00:16:34.340 --> 00:16:41.600 Concern for the kingdom of God. Concern for the glory of the Father, just as they saw in Jesus, 00:16:41.600 --> 00:16:45.660 the Savior. So how do they worship as they pray? 00:16:45.659 --> 00:16:54.059 Well, notice that they pray to God, acknowledging him as creator. 00:16:54.740 --> 00:16:55.519 Verse 24, 00:16:55.719 --> 00:17:00.179 Sovereign Lord, you made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them. 00:17:01.079 --> 00:17:05.859 And that's good news. They pray to the one who is in charge. 00:17:07.440 --> 00:17:10.299 They pray to the God of revelation. 00:17:10.299 --> 00:17:16.720 So as they pray, Psalm 2, they are seeing it fulfilled in their day. 00:17:17.119 --> 00:17:19.460 Jesus is God's anointed king, 00:17:19.659 --> 00:17:24.819 and the leaders and the nations have conspired against him, 00:17:25.599 --> 00:17:29.799 but they are powerless to defeat him and his purposes. 00:17:30.819 --> 00:17:34.359 In Psalm 2, God laughs at his enemies. 00:17:34.519 --> 00:17:36.759 His victory is certain and sure, 00:17:36.759 --> 00:17:40.099 and the resurrection is that demonstration. 00:17:41.099 --> 00:17:44.700 And they pray and they worship the God of history. 00:17:45.680 --> 00:17:46.980 So in verse 27, 00:17:47.319 --> 00:17:52.940 they can recognize Herod and Pontius Pilate meeting together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, 00:17:53.019 --> 00:17:57.680 and they're all conspiring against Jesus, God's holy servant. 00:17:57.680 --> 00:17:59.460 But, verse 28, 00:17:59.539 --> 00:18:04.099 they did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. 00:18:06.759 --> 00:18:15.539 So these evil acts from evil men fulfill God's powerful, loving will to save sinners through the blood of Jesus. 00:18:17.619 --> 00:18:21.160 So as they pray, they remember those lessons that they learned from Jesus. 00:18:21.339 --> 00:18:22.720 Focus on God first. 00:18:23.000 --> 00:18:23.660 The Lord's Prayer, 00:18:23.779 --> 00:18:27.019 Hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done. 00:18:28.160 --> 00:18:29.779 Because that's a reminder to the church. 00:18:29.859 --> 00:18:31.879 It's a reminder to us. 00:18:31.960 --> 00:18:32.940 Our God is in heaven. 00:18:33.059 --> 00:18:34.119 He does what pleases him. 00:18:34.180 --> 00:18:34.779 He is powerful. 00:18:34.779 --> 00:18:35.819 He is faithful. 00:18:37.819 --> 00:18:41.940 So when we find ourselves with anxious or doubtful hearts, 00:18:42.099 --> 00:18:44.879 speak to your heart about God. 00:18:46.599 --> 00:18:47.940 But the next thing, 00:18:48.220 --> 00:18:49.859 and this is where we're going to focus, 00:18:50.460 --> 00:18:50.779 verse 29, 00:18:52.200 --> 00:18:55.660 Now, Lord, consider their threats 00:18:55.660 --> 00:19:00.779 and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 00:19:00.779 --> 00:19:07.279 Perhaps that surprises us how they finish that sentence. 00:19:09.180 --> 00:19:13.160 God, pay attention to the opposition that we are facing, 00:19:13.240 --> 00:19:15.019 the persecution that we're experiencing. 00:19:15.720 --> 00:19:18.259 We might expect and make it go away. 00:19:18.940 --> 00:19:20.339 But that's not how they pray. 00:19:21.339 --> 00:19:23.059 Because they heard Jesus say, 00:19:23.440 --> 00:19:25.119 persecution and suffering is normal. 00:19:25.119 --> 00:19:26.119 So they pray, 00:19:26.659 --> 00:19:28.299 please make us bold to preach. 00:19:29.939 --> 00:19:31.479 And then in verse 30, 00:19:32.519 --> 00:19:32.779 they say, 00:19:32.899 --> 00:19:34.399 stretch out your hand to heal 00:19:34.399 --> 00:19:36.539 and perform signs and wonders 00:19:36.539 --> 00:19:38.559 through the name of your holy servant, Jesus. 00:19:39.279 --> 00:19:40.299 In the early church, 00:19:40.379 --> 00:19:43.000 those miracles were a sign that these were God's men. 00:19:43.539 --> 00:19:44.119 So they're praying, 00:19:44.239 --> 00:19:46.359 please set your seal of approval on us. 00:19:46.419 --> 00:19:47.919 Please show that you are working, 00:19:48.079 --> 00:19:48.679 you are alive, 00:19:48.719 --> 00:19:49.599 and you are powerful. 00:19:51.059 --> 00:19:52.319 And see how God answered. 00:19:52.319 --> 00:19:53.039 After they prayed, 00:19:53.139 --> 00:19:54.839 the place where they were meeting was shaken, 00:19:55.679 --> 00:19:57.359 and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit 00:19:57.359 --> 00:20:02.079 and spoke the word of God boldly. 00:20:02.939 --> 00:20:06.220 So they pray as a church. 00:20:06.799 --> 00:20:07.819 God answers. 00:20:07.939 --> 00:20:09.659 The power of the Holy Spirit comes, 00:20:10.000 --> 00:20:12.939 and there is more bold preaching that happens. 00:20:13.939 --> 00:20:17.960 The church functions as witnesses of Jesus. 00:20:17.960 --> 00:20:18.319 Jesus. 00:20:20.100 --> 00:20:23.039 John Chrysostom makes the observation 00:20:23.039 --> 00:20:24.799 that the room was shaken, 00:20:25.460 --> 00:20:28.660 but these disciples were all the more unshaken. 00:20:29.819 --> 00:20:30.700 They pray. 00:20:30.799 --> 00:20:31.640 They have prayer support. 00:20:31.740 --> 00:20:33.100 They have the Spirit. 00:20:36.660 --> 00:20:37.740 It made me think of the story 00:20:37.740 --> 00:20:38.319 we've probably, 00:20:38.620 --> 00:20:42.360 many of us heard about Spurgeon's church boiler room. 00:20:43.100 --> 00:20:45.740 There was one time where some visitors came 00:20:45.740 --> 00:20:47.859 to meet the famed preacher 00:20:47.859 --> 00:20:49.720 and to see around his church, 00:20:49.759 --> 00:20:51.680 and he took them to the huge sanctuary 00:20:51.680 --> 00:20:55.559 that could see 5,000 in one sitting. 00:20:55.859 --> 00:20:57.339 And then he took them downstairs, 00:20:57.339 --> 00:20:57.839 and he said, 00:20:57.880 --> 00:20:59.980 well, here is the boiler room. 00:21:00.660 --> 00:21:02.460 I imagine they were perhaps curious 00:21:02.460 --> 00:21:05.960 as to why he would pay such attention to that. 00:21:06.019 --> 00:21:07.440 But when he opened the door, 00:21:08.680 --> 00:21:10.420 there was 100 people gathering 00:21:10.420 --> 00:21:13.380 to pray before the service 00:21:13.380 --> 00:21:15.800 for the preaching of God's Word. 00:21:17.019 --> 00:21:18.120 Spurgeon always knew 00:21:18.120 --> 00:21:19.860 and was happy to testify, 00:21:20.000 --> 00:21:21.800 my people pray for me. 00:21:23.000 --> 00:21:24.039 And he understood 00:21:24.039 --> 00:21:26.180 that was such a significant part 00:21:26.180 --> 00:21:29.019 of his fruitful ministry. 00:21:30.560 --> 00:21:31.900 In a different era, 00:21:32.440 --> 00:21:33.640 William Carey, 00:21:34.140 --> 00:21:36.800 famous as a missionary to India, 00:21:36.799 --> 00:21:40.039 he had four lifelong friends, 00:21:40.119 --> 00:21:42.059 some of whom were in ministry, 00:21:42.240 --> 00:21:44.579 some were Christian friends. 00:21:45.019 --> 00:21:47.500 And he said of going to the mission field, 00:21:47.799 --> 00:21:49.200 so of using the idea of, 00:21:49.279 --> 00:21:51.359 I guess, coal mines in the day, 00:21:51.419 --> 00:21:51.700 he said, 00:21:51.700 --> 00:21:54.200 I will go down into the pits 00:21:54.200 --> 00:21:56.779 if you will hold the ropes. 00:21:58.099 --> 00:22:00.480 He was relying on those friends' 00:22:00.839 --> 00:22:03.099 steadfast prayer ministry 00:22:03.099 --> 00:22:07.219 as he looked to preach the gospel in India. 00:22:07.599 --> 00:22:09.500 A healthy church supports preaching 00:22:09.500 --> 00:22:10.659 with prayer, 00:22:10.699 --> 00:22:13.159 is the pattern we find in the book of Acts. 00:22:14.240 --> 00:22:15.619 I was reading this week 00:22:15.619 --> 00:22:17.019 about some of the prayers 00:22:17.019 --> 00:22:18.419 that the persecuted church 00:22:18.419 --> 00:22:20.000 ask for themselves. 00:22:21.159 --> 00:22:23.059 And again, it's so striking and humbling. 00:22:24.240 --> 00:22:25.539 Just as Peter and John, 00:22:25.599 --> 00:22:26.980 they want prayer for boldness 00:22:26.980 --> 00:22:28.199 to keep preaching. 00:22:29.279 --> 00:22:30.019 So my favorite, 00:22:30.639 --> 00:22:32.299 this is one of my favorite stories of all time, 00:22:32.299 --> 00:22:34.659 but my favorite story this week 00:22:34.659 --> 00:22:36.119 from the persecuted church, 00:22:36.159 --> 00:22:37.139 from an evangelist 00:22:37.139 --> 00:22:39.139 a number of years ago in China 00:22:39.139 --> 00:22:40.379 called Wang Mingdao, 00:22:40.899 --> 00:22:42.359 who found himself imprisoned 00:22:42.359 --> 00:22:43.720 for his faith. 00:22:44.279 --> 00:22:46.059 And the church was praying for him. 00:22:46.639 --> 00:22:47.919 And so he was downhearted. 00:22:48.099 --> 00:22:48.779 He's in prison. 00:22:48.919 --> 00:22:49.960 He's an evangelist. 00:22:50.000 --> 00:22:51.779 He loves to tell people about Jesus, 00:22:51.879 --> 00:22:53.500 but there's nobody else in his cell. 00:22:53.559 --> 00:22:54.659 So what is he going to do? 00:22:55.599 --> 00:22:56.399 He has a brainwave. 00:22:56.480 --> 00:22:57.220 He realizes, 00:22:58.279 --> 00:22:59.519 this could be a ministry for some of us, 00:22:59.519 --> 00:23:02.359 if he preaches down his toilet, 00:23:02.879 --> 00:23:06.160 then the sound will carry along the pipes. 00:23:06.879 --> 00:23:08.039 And so he begins 00:23:08.039 --> 00:23:11.539 a wonderful gospel toilet bowl ministry, 00:23:11.539 --> 00:23:13.920 and he discovers months later 00:23:13.920 --> 00:23:16.180 that 96 people were converted 00:23:16.180 --> 00:23:17.139 by those sermons. 00:23:17.859 --> 00:23:20.000 The church prayed to support his preaching, 00:23:20.400 --> 00:23:22.299 and he preached in a novel way, 00:23:22.299 --> 00:23:25.099 and God worked and was glorified. 00:23:25.839 --> 00:23:27.599 Last week we said a healthy church 00:23:27.599 --> 00:23:29.699 is committed to proclaiming God's Word. 00:23:30.059 --> 00:23:32.159 That's a Sunday by Sunday pulpit thing, 00:23:32.519 --> 00:23:34.839 but that's an everyday witness 00:23:34.839 --> 00:23:36.519 from the people of God thing as well. 00:23:36.619 --> 00:23:38.719 And that needs us to pray, 00:23:39.719 --> 00:23:42.279 to pray for me and whoever's preaching, 00:23:42.639 --> 00:23:44.000 but to pray for one another, 00:23:45.079 --> 00:23:46.699 that we'd have wisdom and boldness 00:23:46.699 --> 00:23:48.719 as we look to share our faith. 00:23:48.720 --> 00:23:50.640 So again, 00:23:51.180 --> 00:23:52.740 as we think about this principle 00:23:52.740 --> 00:23:53.740 and as we look to apply it, 00:23:53.779 --> 00:23:55.519 will we commit together 00:23:55.519 --> 00:23:57.920 to make time to pray 00:23:57.920 --> 00:23:59.839 for Sunday services 00:23:59.839 --> 00:24:02.960 and for daily conversations 00:24:02.960 --> 00:24:05.600 and for global mission 00:24:05.600 --> 00:24:09.079 and for those who desperately need to hear? 00:24:10.799 --> 00:24:13.120 So think about William Carey's image. 00:24:14.000 --> 00:24:15.660 There are people all over the world 00:24:15.660 --> 00:24:17.400 going down into the pits, 00:24:17.400 --> 00:24:18.900 engaging in gospel ministry. 00:24:19.560 --> 00:24:21.420 Will we hold the ropes for them 00:24:21.420 --> 00:24:23.860 by faithfully praying? 00:24:24.960 --> 00:24:27.780 A healthy church supports preaching with prayer. 00:24:29.660 --> 00:24:31.420 And the last thing I want to say 00:24:31.420 --> 00:24:32.600 is that a healthy church 00:24:32.600 --> 00:24:36.380 seeks spiritual protection in prayer. 00:24:36.480 --> 00:24:39.940 And this takes us to Paul's farewell 00:24:39.940 --> 00:24:41.880 to the Ephesian elders. 00:24:42.000 --> 00:24:43.580 So Acts chapter 20, 00:24:43.579 --> 00:24:48.599 and we're going to read from verse 25 to 36. 00:24:49.960 --> 00:24:52.259 Now, so Paul gathers these elders. 00:24:53.079 --> 00:24:55.000 He's been with them for three years. 00:24:55.099 --> 00:24:55.980 He's been in the region 00:24:55.980 --> 00:24:58.199 for seven or eight years or so. 00:24:58.299 --> 00:24:59.839 Now he's returning to Jerusalem 00:24:59.839 --> 00:25:01.799 and he loves this church 00:25:01.799 --> 00:25:05.379 and he shows it in his prayerful concern. 00:25:05.859 --> 00:25:08.579 So let's read Acts 20 from verse 25. 00:25:08.579 --> 00:25:12.599 Now I know that none of you 00:25:12.599 --> 00:25:13.899 among whom I have gone about 00:25:13.899 --> 00:25:14.799 preaching the kingdom 00:25:14.799 --> 00:25:16.319 will ever see me again. 00:25:17.059 --> 00:25:19.299 Therefore, I declare to you today 00:25:19.299 --> 00:25:22.199 that I am innocent of the blood of any of you. 00:25:22.980 --> 00:25:24.199 For I have not hesitated 00:25:24.199 --> 00:25:26.539 to proclaim to you the whole will of God. 00:25:27.279 --> 00:25:28.740 Keep watch over yourselves 00:25:28.740 --> 00:25:29.939 and all the flock of which 00:25:29.939 --> 00:25:32.480 the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. 00:25:33.059 --> 00:25:35.179 Be shepherds of the church of God, 00:25:35.519 --> 00:25:37.220 which he bought with his own blood. 00:25:37.220 --> 00:25:39.299 I know that after I leave, 00:25:39.440 --> 00:25:41.220 savage wolves will come in among you 00:25:41.220 --> 00:25:42.700 and will not spare the flock. 00:25:43.160 --> 00:25:44.519 Even from your own number, 00:25:44.620 --> 00:25:46.579 men will arise and distort the truth 00:25:46.579 --> 00:25:49.400 in order to draw away disciples after them. 00:25:49.819 --> 00:25:51.579 So be on your guard. 00:25:52.440 --> 00:25:53.759 Remember that for three years, 00:25:53.860 --> 00:25:55.319 I never stopped warning each of you 00:25:55.319 --> 00:25:56.799 night and day with tears. 00:25:57.319 --> 00:25:59.259 Now, I commit you to God 00:25:59.259 --> 00:26:01.019 and to the word of his grace, 00:26:01.059 --> 00:26:02.079 which can build you up 00:26:02.079 --> 00:26:03.559 and give you an inheritance 00:26:03.559 --> 00:26:05.279 among all those who are sanctified. 00:26:05.279 --> 00:26:07.599 I have not coveted anyone's silver 00:26:07.599 --> 00:26:08.660 or gold or clothing. 00:26:09.460 --> 00:26:10.359 You yourselves know 00:26:10.359 --> 00:26:11.539 that these hands of mine 00:26:11.539 --> 00:26:12.819 have supplied my own needs 00:26:12.819 --> 00:26:14.200 and the needs of my companions. 00:26:15.160 --> 00:26:16.039 In everything I did, 00:26:16.519 --> 00:26:18.399 I showed you that by this kind of hard work 00:26:18.399 --> 00:26:19.420 we must help the weak. 00:26:20.139 --> 00:26:21.000 Remembering the words 00:26:21.000 --> 00:26:22.579 the Lord Jesus himself said, 00:26:23.160 --> 00:26:24.899 it is more blessed to give 00:26:24.899 --> 00:26:26.420 than to receive. 00:26:27.279 --> 00:26:28.940 When Paul had finished speaking, 00:26:29.639 --> 00:26:31.299 he knelt down with all of them 00:26:31.299 --> 00:26:32.720 and prayed. 00:26:34.279 --> 00:26:35.919 So in verse 25 to 27, 00:26:35.919 --> 00:26:37.279 we have that testimony 00:26:37.279 --> 00:26:39.440 that he has faithfully preached 00:26:39.440 --> 00:26:40.619 the whole will of God 00:26:40.619 --> 00:26:42.019 among them. 00:26:42.099 --> 00:26:42.339 He says, 00:26:42.399 --> 00:26:43.839 I'm innocent of 00:26:43.839 --> 00:26:45.740 the blood of anyone. 00:26:46.299 --> 00:26:47.779 It's the language of Ezekiel. 00:26:47.839 --> 00:26:49.099 He sounded a warning. 00:26:50.279 --> 00:26:51.599 The warning of sin, 00:26:51.680 --> 00:26:52.819 the warning of God's judgment. 00:26:52.980 --> 00:26:54.720 He also announced 00:26:54.720 --> 00:26:56.119 the good news of salvation 00:26:56.119 --> 00:26:57.980 through faith in Jesus. 00:26:57.980 --> 00:27:00.660 And then he gives instruction 00:27:00.660 --> 00:27:02.240 to the elders. 00:27:03.160 --> 00:27:03.880 Did you notice it? 00:27:03.940 --> 00:27:04.779 Keep watch. 00:27:05.920 --> 00:27:07.079 Be shepherds. 00:27:07.880 --> 00:27:08.880 Be on guard. 00:27:10.740 --> 00:27:12.559 Using that powerful 00:27:12.559 --> 00:27:14.220 biblical image 00:27:14.220 --> 00:27:16.799 of sheep and shepherds. 00:27:16.940 --> 00:27:17.920 They are to be shepherds 00:27:17.920 --> 00:27:18.700 over the flock, 00:27:18.819 --> 00:27:20.360 aware, Paul is aware, 00:27:21.460 --> 00:27:22.880 that they need to be on guard 00:27:22.880 --> 00:27:24.120 from wolves. 00:27:24.740 --> 00:27:26.680 They need to be guarding the truth. 00:27:26.680 --> 00:27:27.920 There will be threats 00:27:27.920 --> 00:27:28.960 from within the church. 00:27:29.080 --> 00:27:29.720 There will be threats 00:27:29.720 --> 00:27:32.259 from outside the church. 00:27:32.779 --> 00:27:33.799 And so no doubt, 00:27:34.000 --> 00:27:35.680 as Paul brings this message, 00:27:36.720 --> 00:27:39.019 he anticipates 00:27:39.019 --> 00:27:41.039 that this will, 00:27:41.180 --> 00:27:42.140 at very least, 00:27:42.259 --> 00:27:43.880 lead them to pray 00:27:43.880 --> 00:27:46.160 for the church 00:27:46.160 --> 00:27:47.860 and its protection. 00:27:49.100 --> 00:27:50.360 Paul won't be there 00:27:50.360 --> 00:27:52.700 to act as shepherd any longer. 00:27:52.759 --> 00:27:54.019 So what can he do? 00:27:55.019 --> 00:27:55.820 What does he do? 00:27:55.819 --> 00:27:56.980 In verse 32, 00:27:57.779 --> 00:27:59.179 we see him pray. 00:28:00.379 --> 00:28:00.899 It says there, 00:28:01.000 --> 00:28:02.939 Now I commit you to God 00:28:02.939 --> 00:28:04.899 and to the word 00:28:04.899 --> 00:28:06.980 of his grace. 00:28:07.980 --> 00:28:09.000 Committing them to God, 00:28:09.139 --> 00:28:11.579 the good and true shepherd. 00:28:13.599 --> 00:28:15.179 Committing them to the word 00:28:15.179 --> 00:28:16.119 of grace, 00:28:16.220 --> 00:28:18.099 that word that's saved, 00:28:18.259 --> 00:28:19.379 that word that is building 00:28:19.379 --> 00:28:20.079 them in faith, 00:28:20.399 --> 00:28:21.240 that word that will, 00:28:21.639 --> 00:28:22.700 if they persevere in it, 00:28:22.759 --> 00:28:23.439 give assurance 00:28:23.440 --> 00:28:25.519 of future inheritance. 00:28:27.460 --> 00:28:28.400 He prays, 00:28:28.940 --> 00:28:30.140 commits them to God 00:28:30.140 --> 00:28:31.120 and to the word of God. 00:28:31.180 --> 00:28:32.980 And you read the letter 00:28:32.980 --> 00:28:34.220 of Ephesians, 00:28:35.360 --> 00:28:36.600 and you see Paul's 00:28:36.600 --> 00:28:37.960 consistent pattern 00:28:37.960 --> 00:28:38.660 of praying 00:28:38.660 --> 00:28:39.700 for this church 00:28:39.700 --> 00:28:40.299 that he loves 00:28:40.299 --> 00:28:41.059 and seeking their 00:28:41.059 --> 00:28:43.019 spiritual good. 00:28:45.400 --> 00:28:46.519 But he is aware 00:28:46.519 --> 00:28:47.240 of the danger 00:28:47.240 --> 00:28:48.100 and of their need 00:28:48.100 --> 00:28:49.779 of spiritual protection. 00:28:50.279 --> 00:28:50.539 It says, 00:28:50.539 --> 00:28:51.319 Jesus taught 00:28:51.319 --> 00:28:52.259 in the Lord's Prayer, 00:28:52.379 --> 00:28:54.279 lead us not into temptation, 00:28:55.159 --> 00:28:57.759 internal sinful desires. 00:28:58.680 --> 00:29:00.119 Deliver us from evil, 00:29:00.519 --> 00:29:01.859 external pressures 00:29:01.859 --> 00:29:02.940 and temptations. 00:29:05.000 --> 00:29:06.359 Paul shows us, 00:29:06.420 --> 00:29:06.659 it says, 00:29:06.759 --> 00:29:07.940 Jesus shows us 00:29:07.940 --> 00:29:09.639 that we are to seek 00:29:09.639 --> 00:29:11.319 the spiritual health 00:29:11.319 --> 00:29:12.139 and protection 00:29:12.139 --> 00:29:13.779 of the church 00:29:13.779 --> 00:29:15.579 as we pray, 00:29:16.279 --> 00:29:17.279 as we pray 00:29:17.279 --> 00:29:18.500 for one another. 00:29:20.099 --> 00:29:21.059 John Knox, 00:29:21.599 --> 00:29:22.480 church history, 00:29:22.559 --> 00:29:23.319 gives us a powerful 00:29:23.319 --> 00:29:24.220 example of this. 00:29:24.279 --> 00:29:25.879 As he was dying, 00:29:26.879 --> 00:29:28.160 these words of his 00:29:28.160 --> 00:29:28.740 are recorded. 00:29:28.879 --> 00:29:29.180 He said, 00:29:29.579 --> 00:29:31.339 I have been in meditation 00:29:31.339 --> 00:29:32.740 these last two nights 00:29:32.740 --> 00:29:33.779 upon the troubled 00:29:33.779 --> 00:29:34.940 kirk of God, 00:29:35.119 --> 00:29:35.980 the church of God, 00:29:36.480 --> 00:29:37.819 despised of the world 00:29:37.819 --> 00:29:38.579 but precious 00:29:38.579 --> 00:29:39.920 in his sight, 00:29:40.639 --> 00:29:41.740 and have called 00:29:41.740 --> 00:29:42.879 to God for it 00:29:42.879 --> 00:29:44.799 and commended it 00:29:44.799 --> 00:29:45.359 to Christ, 00:29:45.480 --> 00:29:46.000 her head. 00:29:46.000 --> 00:29:47.700 A similar language 00:29:47.700 --> 00:29:49.240 as Paul used. 00:29:50.019 --> 00:29:51.000 I have been fighting 00:29:51.000 --> 00:29:52.440 against Satan 00:29:52.440 --> 00:29:54.400 who is ever ready 00:29:54.400 --> 00:29:55.180 to assault. 00:29:56.160 --> 00:29:56.920 I have fought 00:29:56.920 --> 00:29:58.039 against spiritual 00:29:58.039 --> 00:29:59.299 wickednesses 00:29:59.299 --> 00:30:01.940 and have prevailed. 00:30:03.660 --> 00:30:04.400 John Knox, 00:30:04.519 --> 00:30:05.619 fighting until his 00:30:05.619 --> 00:30:06.839 last breath 00:30:06.839 --> 00:30:08.039 for the spiritual 00:30:08.039 --> 00:30:09.799 health and protection 00:30:09.799 --> 00:30:11.299 of the church 00:30:11.299 --> 00:30:13.500 in this country. 00:30:13.500 --> 00:30:15.400 Paul knew. 00:30:16.339 --> 00:30:17.140 Knox knew. 00:30:17.740 --> 00:30:18.859 Prayer is necessary 00:30:18.859 --> 00:30:19.740 to keep the church 00:30:19.740 --> 00:30:20.259 strong, 00:30:20.359 --> 00:30:21.119 to keep the church 00:30:21.119 --> 00:30:21.759 pure, 00:30:21.920 --> 00:30:22.900 so that the gospel 00:30:22.900 --> 00:30:24.059 will be effective 00:30:24.059 --> 00:30:24.900 in bringing many 00:30:24.900 --> 00:30:26.059 to salvation. 00:30:26.619 --> 00:30:27.299 So again, 00:30:27.359 --> 00:30:28.079 as we think about 00:30:28.079 --> 00:30:28.980 our own prayers, 00:30:29.079 --> 00:30:29.900 will we commit 00:30:29.900 --> 00:30:31.220 as we pray 00:30:31.220 --> 00:30:33.079 to pray 00:30:33.079 --> 00:30:34.200 for spiritual health, 00:30:34.279 --> 00:30:35.599 to pray protection 00:30:35.599 --> 00:30:38.279 over our local church, 00:30:38.660 --> 00:30:38.960 indeed, 00:30:39.099 --> 00:30:39.819 over our 00:30:39.819 --> 00:30:40.839 denomination 00:30:40.839 --> 00:30:41.659 as well. 00:30:43.859 --> 00:30:44.939 Book of Acts 00:30:44.939 --> 00:30:45.459 tells us 00:30:45.459 --> 00:30:46.159 in so many places 00:30:46.159 --> 00:30:47.079 a healthy church 00:30:47.079 --> 00:30:48.619 is a praying church. 00:30:50.139 --> 00:30:51.279 The Norwegian 00:30:51.279 --> 00:30:52.159 theologian 00:30:52.159 --> 00:30:53.359 Halsby, 00:30:53.919 --> 00:30:54.519 he says, 00:30:54.579 --> 00:30:55.079 the essence 00:30:55.079 --> 00:30:55.919 of prayer 00:30:55.919 --> 00:30:57.379 is opening 00:30:57.379 --> 00:30:57.980 the door 00:30:57.980 --> 00:30:58.839 of our lives 00:30:58.839 --> 00:30:59.779 to the risen 00:30:59.779 --> 00:31:00.419 Christ. 00:31:01.559 --> 00:31:02.199 Prayer is 00:31:02.199 --> 00:31:03.059 asking him 00:31:03.059 --> 00:31:03.819 to come into 00:31:03.819 --> 00:31:04.480 our human 00:31:04.480 --> 00:31:05.279 situation 00:31:05.279 --> 00:31:06.819 with his 00:31:06.819 --> 00:31:07.879 resurrection 00:31:07.879 --> 00:31:08.659 power. 00:31:08.660 --> 00:31:09.600 again, 00:31:09.660 --> 00:31:10.080 what a wonderful 00:31:10.080 --> 00:31:10.980 motivation 00:31:10.980 --> 00:31:11.880 to pray, 00:31:12.660 --> 00:31:13.460 to know the 00:31:13.460 --> 00:31:14.620 resurrection power 00:31:14.620 --> 00:31:15.460 of the Lord Jesus 00:31:15.460 --> 00:31:16.420 in our own lives, 00:31:16.680 --> 00:31:17.240 in the life 00:31:17.240 --> 00:31:17.820 of our church, 00:31:17.880 --> 00:31:18.320 in the life 00:31:18.320 --> 00:31:19.759 of our city. 00:31:22.259 --> 00:31:23.340 We pray 00:31:23.340 --> 00:31:24.100 because Jesus 00:31:24.100 --> 00:31:25.220 loves his church. 00:31:26.680 --> 00:31:27.720 We pray 00:31:27.720 --> 00:31:28.519 because Jesus 00:31:28.519 --> 00:31:29.940 bought his bride 00:31:29.940 --> 00:31:30.880 with his own 00:31:30.880 --> 00:31:31.940 precious blood. 00:31:32.900 --> 00:31:33.740 We pray 00:31:33.740 --> 00:31:34.820 because Jesus, 00:31:35.100 --> 00:31:36.040 the good shepherd, 00:31:36.160 --> 00:31:36.700 is seeking 00:31:36.700 --> 00:31:37.840 after calling 00:31:37.840 --> 00:31:39.200 other lost 00:31:39.200 --> 00:31:40.000 sheep to 00:31:40.000 --> 00:31:40.620 himself. 00:31:40.740 --> 00:31:41.319 And we pray 00:31:41.319 --> 00:31:42.080 because Jesus 00:31:42.080 --> 00:31:43.380 works through 00:31:43.380 --> 00:31:44.000 his church 00:31:44.000 --> 00:31:44.640 and through 00:31:44.640 --> 00:31:46.160 our prayers. 00:31:47.580 --> 00:31:48.019 Absolutely, 00:31:48.160 --> 00:31:48.420 yes, 00:31:48.500 --> 00:31:48.779 through our 00:31:48.779 --> 00:31:49.140 witness, 00:31:49.259 --> 00:31:49.680 but absolutely, 00:31:49.680 --> 00:31:50.160 yes, 00:31:50.279 --> 00:31:51.080 through our 00:31:51.080 --> 00:31:51.940 prayers 00:31:51.940 --> 00:31:53.580 to build 00:31:53.580 --> 00:31:55.200 his kingdom. 00:31:58.120 --> 00:31:58.720 So, 00:31:58.779 --> 00:31:59.240 the question 00:31:59.240 --> 00:32:00.080 for each 00:32:00.080 --> 00:32:00.740 one of us 00:32:00.740 --> 00:32:01.160 and the question 00:32:01.160 --> 00:32:01.840 we always need 00:32:01.840 --> 00:32:02.500 to ask of 00:32:02.500 --> 00:32:02.860 ourselves 00:32:02.860 --> 00:32:03.420 as a local 00:32:03.420 --> 00:32:03.840 church is, 00:32:04.200 --> 00:32:04.980 am I committed 00:32:04.980 --> 00:32:05.700 to prayer? 00:32:08.019 --> 00:32:08.920 And will we 00:32:08.920 --> 00:32:09.599 commit to 00:32:09.599 --> 00:32:10.920 praying together 00:32:10.920 --> 00:32:13.880 for God's 00:32:13.880 --> 00:32:14.420 kingdom to 00:32:14.420 --> 00:32:14.839 come, 00:32:15.579 --> 00:32:16.200 for God's 00:32:16.200 --> 00:32:16.900 will to be 00:32:16.900 --> 00:32:17.279 done 00:32:17.279 --> 00:32:18.819 on earth 00:32:18.819 --> 00:32:19.519 as it is 00:32:19.519 --> 00:32:20.480 in heaven? 00:32:21.759 --> 00:32:22.360 Let's 00:32:22.360 --> 00:32:22.960 pray 00:32:22.960 --> 00:32:24.140 briefly 00:32:24.140 --> 00:32:24.819 now. 00:32:26.160 --> 00:32:27.039 Lord God, 00:32:27.140 --> 00:32:27.920 thank you for 00:32:27.920 --> 00:32:29.039 the wonderful 00:32:29.039 --> 00:32:30.220 book of Acts 00:32:30.220 --> 00:32:31.140 and for the 00:32:31.140 --> 00:32:31.480 way that we 00:32:31.480 --> 00:32:31.860 can look 00:32:31.860 --> 00:32:32.240 through its 00:32:32.240 --> 00:32:32.640 pages 00:32:32.640 --> 00:32:33.600 and see 00:32:33.600 --> 00:32:34.960 how often 00:32:34.960 --> 00:32:35.980 your people 00:32:35.980 --> 00:32:37.340 found themselves 00:32:37.340 --> 00:32:37.960 praying, 00:32:38.380 --> 00:32:39.360 how essential 00:32:39.360 --> 00:32:40.460 and vital 00:32:40.460 --> 00:32:41.640 and basic 00:32:41.640 --> 00:32:42.480 it was 00:32:42.480 --> 00:32:44.280 to their 00:32:44.280 --> 00:32:45.340 spiritual life. 00:32:46.380 --> 00:32:46.980 Lord, 00:32:47.060 --> 00:32:48.060 we confess 00:32:48.060 --> 00:32:49.560 as a church 00:32:49.560 --> 00:32:50.460 and as individuals 00:32:50.460 --> 00:32:52.000 often we lack 00:32:52.000 --> 00:32:52.940 motivation to 00:32:52.940 --> 00:32:53.220 pray. 00:32:54.060 --> 00:32:54.880 Often we 00:32:54.880 --> 00:32:55.420 don't make 00:32:55.420 --> 00:32:56.160 time to 00:32:56.160 --> 00:32:56.460 pray. 00:32:57.240 --> 00:32:57.880 Often we'd 00:32:57.880 --> 00:32:58.440 rather do 00:32:58.440 --> 00:32:59.259 anything but 00:32:59.259 --> 00:32:59.700 pray. 00:33:00.860 --> 00:33:01.420 But Lord, 00:33:01.420 --> 00:33:02.180 we ask that 00:33:02.180 --> 00:33:02.620 by your 00:33:02.620 --> 00:33:03.160 spirit you 00:33:03.160 --> 00:33:03.779 would remind 00:33:03.779 --> 00:33:04.660 us of 00:33:04.660 --> 00:33:05.720 your purpose 00:33:05.720 --> 00:33:06.580 in prayer, 00:33:07.160 --> 00:33:07.980 of the 00:33:07.980 --> 00:33:09.100 privilege and 00:33:09.100 --> 00:33:10.180 priority of 00:33:10.180 --> 00:33:10.580 prayer, 00:33:11.220 --> 00:33:11.960 so that you 00:33:11.960 --> 00:33:12.840 might draw us 00:33:12.840 --> 00:33:13.500 to your throne 00:33:13.500 --> 00:33:14.120 of grace 00:33:14.120 --> 00:33:14.740 often, 00:33:15.500 --> 00:33:15.960 that you 00:33:15.960 --> 00:33:16.440 would draw 00:33:16.440 --> 00:33:17.440 us together 00:33:17.440 --> 00:33:18.920 to your throne 00:33:18.920 --> 00:33:19.700 of grace, 00:33:20.259 --> 00:33:20.680 that we 00:33:20.680 --> 00:33:21.259 would be a 00:33:21.259 --> 00:33:22.340 church united 00:33:22.340 --> 00:33:23.640 in our 00:33:23.640 --> 00:33:24.720 devotion to 00:33:24.720 --> 00:33:25.100 prayer, 00:33:25.720 --> 00:33:26.259 that we 00:33:26.259 --> 00:33:26.620 would be 00:33:26.620 --> 00:33:27.240 supporting 00:33:27.240 --> 00:33:28.460 gospel work 00:33:28.460 --> 00:33:29.120 at home 00:33:29.120 --> 00:33:29.880 and abroad 00:33:29.880 --> 00:33:30.720 in prayer, 00:33:31.120 --> 00:33:31.460 that we 00:33:31.460 --> 00:33:31.700 would be 00:33:31.700 --> 00:33:32.320 seeking the 00:33:32.320 --> 00:33:32.720 spiritual 00:33:32.720 --> 00:33:33.580 good and 00:33:33.580 --> 00:33:34.700 welfare of 00:33:34.700 --> 00:33:35.640 your church 00:33:35.640 --> 00:33:36.540 as we 00:33:36.540 --> 00:33:37.020 pray. 00:33:39.220 --> 00:33:39.620 Lord, 00:33:39.680 --> 00:33:40.280 all of us 00:33:40.280 --> 00:33:41.340 will need 00:33:41.340 --> 00:33:41.940 to make 00:33:41.940 --> 00:33:43.440 changes in 00:33:43.440 --> 00:33:44.080 order to 00:33:44.080 --> 00:33:44.860 respond. 00:33:46.100 --> 00:33:46.560 Give us 00:33:46.560 --> 00:33:48.320 wisdom to 00:33:48.320 --> 00:33:49.120 know how 00:33:49.120 --> 00:33:50.980 to make 00:33:50.980 --> 00:33:52.420 prayer a 00:33:52.420 --> 00:33:53.020 priority. 00:33:53.820 --> 00:33:54.420 Give us 00:33:54.420 --> 00:33:55.160 wisdom as 00:33:55.160 --> 00:33:55.960 church leaders 00:33:55.960 --> 00:33:57.200 to know 00:33:57.200 --> 00:33:57.700 how to 00:33:57.700 --> 00:33:58.140 keep 00:33:58.140 --> 00:33:59.519 prayer as 00:33:59.519 --> 00:34:00.279 a priority 00:34:00.279 --> 00:34:01.180 for us as 00:34:01.180 --> 00:34:01.600 a local 00:34:01.600 --> 00:34:02.200 church. 00:34:03.100 --> 00:34:03.340 Lord, 00:34:03.400 --> 00:34:03.980 without you 00:34:03.980 --> 00:34:04.700 we can do 00:34:04.700 --> 00:34:05.220 nothing. 00:34:06.940 --> 00:34:07.680 Without you 00:34:07.680 --> 00:34:08.500 we are 00:34:08.500 --> 00:34:09.079 lost. 00:34:10.079 --> 00:34:10.639 Teach us 00:34:10.639 --> 00:34:11.159 to pray. 00:34:12.079 --> 00:34:12.500 Amen.