Eagleville Bible Church

CHALLENGE: Pray


A. PRAY FOR US


Why is Paul asking for prayers? Didn’t God already want Paul’s ministry to be successful? And if God does want things to happen, why do we need to pray? If God knows every need before I ask, why ask, right?


1. We Pray Because Prayer Works and God Wants Us To


It’s always intrigued me that even though God knows exactly what we’re going through, He still wants to hear from us. And even though He’s sovereign, He uses our prayers as part of His plan in the world. He’s in control and doesn’t need us but He allows us to be part of the plan.


Your prayers are akin to the gasoline in the engine or the battery in the flashlight. Paul wants them to pray because prayer is the key to success. God uses your prayer.


Abraham’s servant prayed for guidance in selecting a wife for Isaac and was granted guidance exactly as asked. And since the answer to his prayer came over the hill the second that he finished praying, we know that God was just waiting for that prayer to come out of his mouth and He already knew the request was coming.


Hannah prayed for a son and Samuel was born. He became one of the great leaders in Israeli history. His mother prayed and that’s why He was on the earth. Prayer works.


Elijah prayed on Mount Carmel and won a great victory in accordance with His prayer. And after that he prayed and prayed for an end to a 3.5 year drought. And it rained torrents because that man prayed. Prayer works.


Hezekiah got sick and was going to die but he prayed for healing and God added 15 years to his life. Prayer works.


There was a time when the disciples were trying to throw out a demon and they couldn’t do it and Jesus said, “This kind only comes out by prayer”.


Mark 9:28 - "After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out? 29 He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer."


Only by prayer can you accomplish ministry objectives and that’s why Paul wanted the prayers!


Before going to the cross Jesus prayed and asked His disciples to pray along with Him but they couldn’t keep their eyes open. He was praying and angels were ministering to Him. He went on to pay for the sins of the world. Prayer works!!


God has woven into the fabric of the universe and into the heart of man to pray. And it works! That’s why Jesus prayed. That’s why we pray and that’s why Paul asks for prayer.


So never think that “all I can do is pray”. Prayer is a great thing and sometimes the only thing!


2. Ministry Goes Only As Far as Our Prayers Go


What if we don’t get one foot further than we pray? Jesus is interceding for me at the right hand of God.


Romans 8:34 - Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.


The Holy Spirit intercedes for me. If prayer wasn’t vital, why is God praying?


One of the great “God” size miracles Jesus did was to “still the storm”. Nature knew to obey Him. It’s hard to imagine the complete power. The sovereignty! The absolute say!


How many things move because you say to? How many jump because you say jump? Your own dog might not listen. God spoke and the world was here! Jesus spoke and the demon was gone. Jesus said a child was healed and they were healed. Jesus told Lazarus to come out of the tomb and he did!!


While I don’t have the power to move the boulders of this world, Jesus does. He said we can move mountains with faith the size of a mustard seed. While we are weak, we pray to one who is strong!


When Paul was in Philippi, he couldn’t open the doors of the prison but Jesus could! He couldn’t cause the earthquake. He couldn’t bring the jailor to ask, “What must I do to be saved”! But he was praying to the one who could!


This week I took some time to pray for God-stuff to happen. I prayed for people to come to a saving knowledge of Christ because God is not willing that any should perish. Jesus taught us to pray, “your kingdom come and your will be done”. Part of God working in the world is our prayers!


So pray! Pray for Celebrate Recovery. Pray for children’s ministries. Pray for AWANA. Pray for the youth ministry. Pray for Sunday morning church. Pray for small groups. Pray for THE VINE.


(trans.) Here are some of the specific prayer requests of Paul


· Pray for an open door and clarity (OPPORTUNITIES)


Colossians 4:3 - And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.


Basically, we’re praying for opportunities. God, open doors for the gospel. Make it clear!


We’ve got a great message but we don’t always have open doors. So, we pray for the door and the wisdom to walk through it once we see it.



Ever get home and the door’s locked and no one has a key? Kind of frustrating! If you come to a locked door, it’s locked!



When it comes to ministry we need doors opened to approach and minister to people. We just need the chance and then when we get the chance, minister with clarity.


Have you ever prayed this prayer? God, give me opportunities to share my faith this week. And if that seems outlandish, why? Don’t you want to tell people what God has done for you?


When I’m praying for opportunities, I get opportunities. Lord, give us opportunities to share our faith.


That open door might be praying for someone who’s hurting. It might be visiting the sick. It might be serving the weak. It might be building up the hurting. There are opportunities all the time for ministry! It might spring up at the gym. It might be out on the street. It might be at work.


· Pray for Right Words and for Boldness (STRENGTH)


Ephesians 6:19 - Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.


Pray that whenever I speak, words may be given me and that I would be fearless. Sometimes you just need the guts to speak up for God! I understand that we don’t like controversy. We don’t like people to think ill of us. We don’t like to hurt people’s feelings but sometimes we just need to say something spiritual. To talk about God openly. To share a verse. Lord, help me to make it known!


Courage typically wins the day. We’ll talk all about the Cleveland Browns. Sometimes we might dare to talk about politics. But people start talking God or religious stuff and we’re wall flowers. What if they think I’m weird?


Lord, give me some boldness. Perhaps share a verse on facebook….radical!! I just shared the Daily Huddle or Steve’s video, what will my friends say now?! You might get called a Jesus freak or something!! They might say…..you’re “religious”. Why, thanks for noticing!


Pray for boldness in words and boldness in ministry.


I appreciated reading about Dwight L Moody and how he had a big smile. He had that larger than life presence and was always engaging people. It was being out there and shaking hands. Live bold!


I know it’s hard even for me from this pulpit at times. I know I’m swinging away on certain days but the truth is the only thing that SETS. US. FREE!!


· Pray that the Message Will Spread and for Protection (SUCCESS)


2 Thessalonians 3:1 -As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. 2 And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith.


Jesus prayed such things in John 17. Sanctification. Unity. Protection.


Let’s pray that God will use us to spread His word. God, please give our ministries success. May we have success in communicating God through our ministries.


It’s great to pray this over the various things that are happening. God, spread your word in Ashtabula County. Help all of the other churches to be involved in this.


So pray for OPPORTUNITIES, STRENGTH, AND SUCCESS in ministry. Even the ministry you have to your family!


3. Pray As You Go


Is prayer alone enough? I’ve always believed in faith in action too. You can pray all you want but you need to put feet on your prayers too.


We can’t pray that God reach sinners if we never reach out!! Pray and move. Pray and move. Allow God to direct you.


Lord, I lost my keys. What am I going to do? LOOK! He’ll guide you as you look for your keys.


You looking for a job? Pray then beat the bushes! Often we have not because we ask not. And sometimes we have not because we do not!


I don’t have a good relationship and I’ve prayed so hard about my marriage. What are you doing about it? Yeah, pray and then do the right thing!


I believe in hard work and team work. God doesn’t need me but since I’m on His team, I want to do my best. I want to go all out. I pray for help and play hard! Pray and then do my best!


If we’re not careful we’re going to boil ministry down to it’s all God and there is no human effort necessary to accomplish it. Jesus prayed and He marched to that cross! He was in motion!


I remember in the old days there was the theology that God chooses people to be saved. I do believe this is true. However, some took it to the extreme of - you don’t need to witness because God’s Spirit will draw them. It was an escape from responsibility.


It’s almost as if anything works as long as God works. So, if you do a poor job that might just glorify God more because it’s all about His power. So really it shouldn’t matter if nursery is that good. It shouldn’t matter if sing out or preach well or teach well. God has it.


Always do your best! Don’t hold back. Just remember who’s team you play for!


I’ll do the possible and let God do the impossible!


B. BE FRIENDLY


vv 27 I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters. 28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.


So, he wants some prayer and he tells them to greet one another with a holy kiss. Let’s start with GREET! You’ve got to be friendly to each other.



But what if we had to? What if right now we had to go around kissing each other on the cheek. Is there anyone that you would say “no way”! NOPE!


My guess is that looks would have nothing to do with it. It might be that your heart is hard toward each other. If we really want God working then we have to be behind each other. We have to be together.


For us the greeting it might be handshake, fist bump, saying hello. Is there anyone we avoid or ignore? Is there a good reason for this?


I’ve learned this in life. You are going to get upset with people. We couldn’t possibly all agree. You let it go and move on. I’ve dropped countless things ‘cause I had to.


If you’re avoiding people on purpose, STOP IT!


Support each other and be friendly. Unfriendliness is one of the big culprits to problems in ministry. People are looking for a smile and support. And if they don’t get that from you, they may wonder why.


CONCLUSION: The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.


Big and Rich – That’s Why I Pray


I'm begging for forgiveness, I wanna make a difference
Even in the smallest way
I'm only one person, but I can feel it working
I believe in better days
That's why I pray, yeah
That's why I pray, yeah