Welcome to DEEPER LIFE BIBLE CHURCH, AMSTERDAM Sunday 05 March 2018

THE POWER OF UNITED PRAYER – Acts 12:1-12 The Lord is raising a united, praying Church to storm the gates of the enemy!

KEY THOUGHT Believers united in prayer have access to God’s power to actualize God’s purpose on earth. When all hindrances are taken away, corporate prayer can unlock closed doors, turn around the hearts of kings and grant us expansion in ministry. We must practice it constantly as a church to reap its rewards

NATURE AND NECESSITY OF UNITED PRAYER – Acts 12:5,12 The nature: Operation as a single unit Matt 18:19,20 Specific purpose: Acts 13:1-2; I Tim. 2:1-2 E.g. for outreach, to address a threat, for the work of the ministry, for ministers, for the city/nation The necessity: Lev. 26:8; Deut. 32:30 It is potent Matt. 18:19 Strengthens the entire body Prov. 27:17 Unites the church Acts 4:24,32 Promotes the gospel Acts 4:32

HINDRANCES TO AND HELPS FOR UNITED PRAYER The hindrances: Envy and strife James 3:16 Pride and oppression Ps 138:6 Individual sins Josh 7:1 Corporate sins Isa. 59:1; I Kings 18:26 Offenses Matt 5:23-24 The helps: The Bible – I John 5:14-15 Prayer in unity – Acts 4:24 Faith – Matt. 17:20 Fasting – Matt. 17:21

EXAMPLES OF AND EXPECTATIONS FROM UNITED PRAYER Daniel and his friends Dan 2:17-19 Esther & Mordecai Est. 4:14-16 The disciples Acts 12:5; 13:1-3 Expectations: Change in our community! Change in our personal situation Change in our church and ministry United prayer opens doors!

TIME TO PRAY!