1. Why We Pray In The Assembly

2. Thus far in our series we have seen : 1. Why we require bible authority. 2. Why we assemble each Lord’s Day. 3. Why we sing acapella. (x2) 4. Why we communion every Sunday. 5. Why we emphasize the resurrection.

3. This lesson will answer the question : “ Why do we pray in the assemblies ?”

4. Matthew 6: 5-6 When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 6 "But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

5. Communal prayer from five perspectives : 1. The church was born praying. 2. Prayer is essential to Christianity. 3. How should we pray in the assembly. 4. The importance of praying together. 5. The result of praying as a church.

6. I. The church of Christ was born in prayer.

7. The outpouring of the Spirit came while the disciples were gathered in prayer. Acts 1:14 ( Apostles listed ) These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers

8. Those first added to the church devoted themselves to prayer. Acts 2: 42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

9. When first faced with persecution the church remained devoted to prayer. Acts 4: 23-24 When they had been released, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God with one accord and said, " O Lord, it is You who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and that is in them ”

10. They did not ask retribution against the Jews or protection for themselves. Acts 4: 29 And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence,

11. II. Prayer is essential to Christianity.

12. Three things are required to keep Christians in relationship with God. Acts 2: 42 They were continually devoting themselves to - the apostles' teaching and - to fellowship, to the breaking of bread - and to prayer.

13. The Apostles acknowledged these essentials. Acts 6: 3-4 "Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. 4 "But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word."

14. The primary function of prayer is to glorify God. Jesus : Matthew 6: 9 – Our Father who is in Heaven, hallowed be Your name. Paul : Ephesians 3: 20-21 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

15. III. How should we pray in the assembly ?

16. Lifting up holy hands to God. ( From a pure heart ) I Timothy 1: 8 Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension.

17. Peter made reference to the hearts of those who pray. I Peter 3: 12 "For the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, and His ears attend to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." ( cf – I Cor. 4: 5 )

18. One must dedicate his heart to God before his prayers are received. Psalms 119: 1-2 How blessed are those whose way is blameless, Who walk in the law of the Lord. 2 How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, Who seek Him with all their heart. ( cf – Matthew 15: 8 )

19. This is not in reference to the position of prayer. 1. Standing ( Genesis 24:12-14 ) 2. Lifting the hands ( 1 Timothy 2:8 ) 3. Sitting ( Judges 20:26 ) 4. Kneeling ( Mark 1:40 ) 5. Looking upward ( John 17:1 ) 6. Bowing down ( Exodus 34:8 ) 7. Head between the knees ( 1 Kings 18:42 ) 8. Pounding on the breast ( Luke 18:13 ) 9. Facing the temple ( Daniel 6:10 )

20. We must pray in faith without doubting. James 1: 6-7 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

21. We must pray out of love with wrath toward none. Mark 11: 25 Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in Heaven will also forgive you your transgressions. ( cf – Matt. 5: 23-24 )

22. God will not receive from one who has wrath. Matthew 5: 23-24 Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.

23. The brethren did not pray vengeance, but for boldness to continue unafraid. Acts 4: 24 And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God with one accord and said, " O Lord, it is You who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and that is in them ” … 29 "And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond- servants may speak Your word with all confidence,

24. IV. The importance of praying together.

25. God instructed Christians to pray together. James 5: 16 – Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. Acts 1:14 – ( as an example ) These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers

26. Praying together has a variety of benefits. 1. It reinforces and builds up our faith. 2. It unifies brethren behind a common purpose. 3. It develops bonds and draws hearts together. 4. It teaches us how to pray better. 5. It multiplies the power of our prayers.

27. v. The result of praying together.

28. Christians united in prayer can change history. I Timothy 1: 1-2 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.

29. Ezra 6: 22 And they observed the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy, for the Lord had caused them to rejoice, and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria toward them to encourage them in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.

30. Praying together can cause numerical growth. I Corinthians 3: 6 – I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. 7 So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. Acts 2: 47 – … they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

31. Prayer is the key which opens the storehouse of Heaven if we ask. James 4: 2 b -3 You do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.

32. Thus we have seen : 1. The church was born in prayer. 2. Prayer is essential to Christianity. 3. How we should pray in the assembly ? 4. The importance of praying together. 5. The result of praying as a church.

33. Why do we pray in the assembly ? Why do birds fly ? It’s in our nature.

34. Are you in a prayer relationship with God ? Does He hear your call ?

35. Why not form a bond with Him this very hour ? Obey the gospel.