Lesson 2 for July 13, 2013 PRAYER: THE HEARTBEAT OF REVIVAL

Which are the results of praying? Is there power in praying together? Revival begins with our personal relationship with God. The straightest way to get closer to Him is through prayer. “Why should the sons and daughters of God be reluctant to pray, when prayer is the key in the hand of faith to unlock heaven’s storehouse, where are treasured the boundless resources of Omnipotence?” (E.G.W., Steps to Christ, cp. 11, pg. 94) This week we’ll study the power of prayer by finding answers to the next questions: How did Jesus pray? Which are the results of praying? Is there power in praying together? Why should we pray? How should we pray?

HOW DID JESUS PRAY? When and how did Jesus pray? Jesus devoted much time to prayer. His favorite moment was the early hours of the day. He looked for a lonely lace to privately talk to God before the other woke up (Mr. 1:35; Lk. 5:16; Lk. 9:18) We spent the whole night praying before making an important decision (Lk. 6:12-13) What did Jesus pray for? He prayed for knowing the Father’s will. He never did anything without consulting Him (Jn. 5:30; Lk. 22:42) He prayed for the faith of His disciples (Lk. 22:31-32) He prayed for those who accepted the Gospel then and in the future, and for the unity of the Church (Jn. 17:20-24) “Through continual communion He received life from God, that He might impart life to the world. His experience is to be ours” E.G.W. (The Desire of Ages, cp. 38, pg. 363)

WHICH ARE THE RESULTS OF PRAYING? Which were the results of the prayers of the early Christians? 120 Christians prayed together (Acts 1:14-15) and received the Holy Spirit 3,000 people were converted in the first public preaching (Acts 2:41) More than 5,000 people were also converted at another event (Acts 4:4) The Gospel was soon spread around all Judea, Samaria and Galilee (Acts 9:31) The Gospel was soon spread around the entire world after the conversion of Cornelius and the Ethiopian (Acts 10-28) It is estimated that the Church had grown from 120 people to nearly one million people at the end of the 1st Century.

“Shall we be less earnest than were the apostles “Shall we be less earnest than were the apostles? Shall we not by living faith claim the promises that moved them to the depths of their being to call upon the Lord Jesus for the fulfillment of His word: “Ask, and ye shall receive”? John 16:24. Is not the Spirit of God to come today in answer to earnest, persevering prayer, and fill men with power? Is not God saying today to His praying, trusting, believing workers, who are opening the Scriptures to those ignorant of the precious truth they contain: “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world”? Matthew 28:20. Why, then, is the church so weak and spiritless?” E.G.W. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 7, pg. 32)

IS THERE POWER IN PRAYING TOGETHER? “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven” (Matthew 18:19) The Church came together in prayer in difficult times. Then, miracles happened. Christians were praying together while Peter was waiting to be executed the next day (Acts 12:1-16). That prayer was answered when an angel freed Peter from prison. Jesus encourages us to pray together for the things that concern the Church. The Church needs the Holy Spirit; the Church needs revival. Prayer is essential for our personal revival; praying together is essential for the revival of the Church.

WHY SHOULD WE PRAY? There are many reasons to pray; for example: In prayer we freely acknowledge our total dependency upon God and give Him the freedom to intervene in our lives. When we pray, His Holy Spirit prepares our hearts to receive more of Him. The more we pray, the more we allow the Holy Spirit to “crucify” our sinful desires. It is the strongest weapon in our fight against the enemy: “Put on the whole armor of God… praying always” (Eph. 6:11, 18)

Which elements should be part of an effective prayer? HOW SHOULD WE PRAY? Which elements should be part of an effective prayer? Praise “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth” (Psalm 34:1) Thanksgiving “Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20) Mediation “For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:19) Forgiveness and repentance “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9) “And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive” (Matthew 21:22)

“Pray without ceasing” 1 Thessalonians 5:17