How United Prayer Impacts God’s Work 同心合意的祷告 Matthew 6:9-13 马太福音 6:9-13

Illustration : On August 5, 2010, 33 miners were trapped 2,000 feet below ground at the San Jose mine in Chile’s Atacama Desert. Ways cooperation was taking place : 1. Government 2. Private Industry 3. Prayers of the world 4. “Failure is not an option.” After 69 days in the mine, the drill broke through to the miners. Unity meant the difference between life and death.

The Bible directs us to live in unity that can mean life or death for many. I. Jesus prayed for extraordinary unity: (Jn. 17) Our unity should be like unity between God the Father and God the Son. Their unity is indivisible, not competitive, always with the same heart, mind, and objective. It always had the glory of the Father in mind. Our unity must go beyond just merely liking each other, or tolerating one another. Our unity must be deep, loving, and respectful. Our unity stands as a strong and powerful witness to non- believers.

II. God affirmed deep commitment to unity (Ps. 133) Two ways God looks at such unity: “GOOD” “PLEASANT” Our responsibility in having and maintaining good and pleasant unity: It takes a choice, a commitment to it. “Dwell” in it. “Double” the effort; Unitedly united!

III. Prayer is one of the most powerful expressions of unity: Charles Finney wrote in his book Lectures on Revivals of Religion, “Nothing tends more to cement the hearts of Christians than praying together. Never do they love one another so well as when they witness the outpouring if each other’s hearts in prayer. Their spirituality begets a feeling of union and confidence, highly important to the prosperity of the church.”

1. The Lord’s Prayer is a collective plea for God’s honor and our needs (Luke 11). 2. The Lord commonly taught them on prayer as a group experience (Luke 18). 3. Biblical examples of when to unite in prayer: a. Crisis (2 Chronicles 20:3-4, 12-14, 18-22) b. Covenant renewal before the Lord and with one another (2 Chronicles 15:8-15) c. Corporate repentance (2 Chronicles 7:14) d. Celebration of God’s goodness (Ps. 148, first day of the week, recognition of God’s goodness like many of the festivals, recognition of God’s faithfulness) e. Need for direction and/or empowerment by God (Acts 1:14, 2:1, 4:23-31, Prov. 29:18). f. When the enemy seems to be winning (Mark 9:29, Eph. 6)

4. Examples of the power in united prayer J. Edwin Orr credits prayer as the primary factor in Great Awakenings and Revival: The First Great Awakening : 50,000 came to Christ in New England out a population of 340,000 (almost 15 percent). The Second Great Awakening : the Methodist denomination grew by 1400 percent while the American population was growing at only 200 percent. In three counties in Virginia over a three-month span, 3200 people were converted. The Prayer Revival of 1857–1858 : there were a reported 50,000 coming to Christ weekly. Out of a population of 30 million Americans, one million came to faith in Christ. In the Welsh Revival, 100,000 people were gloriously converted in nine months! What could that look like in today’s America ? Over 10 million people coming to Christ in just two years.

IV. Application of United Prayer in your life and church: 1. Take the lead to challenge others and set the example of commitment to it. E. Stanley Jones said, “The future of the world may well be determined by small groups of people praying, thinking, and acting beyond the rest”. (Helen S. Shoemaker, Prayer and Evangelism, Waco, Tex.: Word Books, 1974), Devote yourselves to it without looking for immediate results. Be patient and faithful. 3. When praying for His glory, expect eventual eternal results. 4. Operate out of the mindset that you need others and they need you.

5. Submit to the Holy Spirit and pray for the benefit of the body of Christ. Dennis Fuqua says our corporate prayer should be prayers that… are connected to what has just been prayed hear and catch a prayer theme, and develop a flow. are influenced by the prayers of others and in turn influence the prayers of others. flow more from listening than from lists. focus on agreement or harmonious prayers. 6. Help Create a culture of united praying.

V. Revival Lessons from Bill Elliff’s church in Central Arkansas in the fall of Here is some of what I see in his story. There was: 1. A growing desperation for revival. 2. Consistent and humble prayer. 40 days of prayer and fasting. Weekly corporate prayer. In January, we began to meet on the first Monday of each month to cry out for revival. 3. Sensitivity and Obedience to the Spirit of God. 4. Release of man-made time parameters. 5. God - glorifying testimony and behavior. 6. Joy in gathering together. 7. Deepening love for one another. 8. Attracted others.