{ The Power of Intercessory Prayer Pastor Rod EnosSunday, November 9, 2014

I. Prayer Is About Relationship

God shapes the world through prayer. The more prayer there is in the world, the better the world will be, the mightier the forces against evil. – E. M. Bounds.

A.Not Just An Answer B.Co-Creators with God I. Prayer Is About Relationship

Then the LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do? 18 Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him. Genesis 18:17-19 (NIV)

19 For I have chosen him, so that he willdirect his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.” Genesis 18:17-19 (NIV)

A.Not Just An Answer B.Co-Creators with God C.Praying Out of Friendship With God I. Prayer Is About Relationship

I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. John 15:15 (NIV)

Then the LORD said to me: “Even if Moses and Samuel were to stand before me, my heart would not go out to this people. Send them away from my presence! Let them go! Jeremiah 15:1 (NIV)

A.Not A Formula II. How We Pray

One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples. Luke 11:1 (NIV)

A.Not A Formula B.Prayer Is A Dialog II. How We Pray

I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. John 14:12-14 (NIV)

13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. John 14:12-14 (NIV)

A.Not A Formula B.Prayer Is A Dialog C.The Necessity of Waiting II. How We Pray

I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living. 14 Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD. Psalms 27:13-14 (NASB)

A.Not A Formula B.Prayer Is A Dialog C.The Necessity of Waiting D.The Power of Agreement II. How We Pray

“Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Matthew 18:18-20 (NIV)

19 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:18-20 (NIV)

A.Not A Formula B.Prayer Is A Dialog C.The Necessity of Waiting D.The Power of Agreement E.Prayer is Proclamation II. How We Pray

1)Begin with Thanksgiving 2)Ask God to Purify Your Heart 3)Acknowledge Your Dependence 4)Die to Your Own Desires 5)Deal Aggressively with the Devil III. Principles of Intercession

6)Praise God in Faith 7)Wait Expectantly 8)Pray in Faith and Obedience 9)Use Your Bible 10)Thank Him For the Answers III. Principles of Intercession

God is looking for intimate relationship with us above everything. Prayer is co-laboring with God, learning to gain His heart and then declaring with His authority so that His will is done on earth as it is in Heaven. Something to Think About…