A Church that Cares: Ministry of Prayer

Philippians 1:1-5 (NIV)
1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:  2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,

1.      Desire to Pray with clarity! A Model for Prayer; Matthew 6:5-15

• Secretly
  
• Simply
  
• Specifically
  

2.      Desire to Pray continually! A Moment for Prayer; Matthew 21:13-22

• Early: Mark 1:35, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.
  
• Often: Pray without ceasing, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18,
  

3.      Desire to Pray congregationally! A Movement of Prayer

• Place of Prayer: The Church is a place for prayer and the people who pray!
  
• People of Prayer: James 5:12-16
  

4.      Desire to Pray compassionately!: A Motive for Prayer; Matthew 21:13-14

• See the people and respond with prayer and ministry! Carry each other’s burdens, Galatians 6:2
  
• Ministry to physical needs followed spiritual ministry
  
• Don’t say be warm and well fed: James 2:15-17 
  

5.      Desire to Pray with conviction! A Method of Prayer; Matthew 21:12, 22

• Cleansing helps belief! Belief leads to deeper cleansing!
  
• Clean the temple of the junk and materialism!
  
• Fill the temple with Jesus!
  

SO WHAT? Do I care enough to pray?

• When will I set aside time to pray for others this week?
  
• Who will I pray for?
  
• How will I let them know they are being prayed for?

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