sermon on prayer will change things

Come join the conversation on our blog. The text is Acts 2:42. Jesus said in John 14:13, “And whatever you ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” The aim of prayer is that the Father be glorified through Jesus. And at once he took along some soldiers and centurions, and ran down to them.” So here we see an answer to prayer. Don’t neglect this great work God has put into your hands. So we don’t read anything about the church rejecting Paul or his ministry. So Abraham prayed again. This year let’s use both our instruments to win people over to Christ. Why does Paul give the Roman Christians incentives to pray for him instead of just telling them to pray? We are not to act on mere impulse or whim. John Piper is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. One means God has given us to do this is prayer—asking him to act. | Leah Klett/The Christian Post McLean Bible Church Pastor David Platt recently answered some common questions about prayer and highlighted how God uses the prayers of his children for the good of His people and ultimately, for His glory in the world. The reason is plain: God would not get glory for our actions if they were not stimulated by views of God. It deepens our ownership of the burden and our partnership with God. Because the people of Nineveh changed their minds about the way they had been living, and God changed His mind about destroying them. The "life" referred to is eternal life. THE POWER OF PRAYER When a new year begins, many people make resolutions. What a joke. And when we pray, we can remind Him of His unchanging character. So stand in awe of your Lord Jesus. Prayer Changes Things: Prayer Changes Us! Matthew Henry put it like this 300 years ago: As God must be sought unto for the restraining of the ill will of our enemies, so also for the preserving and increasing of the goodwill of our friends; for God has the hearts both of the one and the other in his hands. Do Not Neglect Prayer. By prayer we are to influence the wills of our friends and our enemies. But according to Scripture, He can and will change His mind! Have you ever heard that demonic whisper that your prayers don’t matter? So when God changed His mind, the prophet couldn’t contain his disgust. To say that the only thing that prayer changes is us is kind of an arrogant statement. Follow Robert Morris on: SUBJECT: Worship TITLE:To Pray Effectively PROPOSITION: To understand how to pray we must understand the Character, Circumstance, Content, and Consequences of prayer. Prayer Changes Things – 3 Miracles Of Prayer. Nineveh remained as a city for possibly one hundred fifty years. In both cases, the wills of people are involved and the answer to the prayer is going to involve God changing those wills — in the one case so that the ill-will of unbelievers is restrained, and in the other case so that the goodwill of believers is assured. So we learn that God is immutable and will never, ever change His character. God had heard the striving of his people in Rome, and he had acted. Then switching to God’s changelessness, he will say, You think you can change things through prayer? Most of the religions use prayers or contemplation. Notice the wording: “I urge you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me.” Paul says he is praying for the same thing. (Romans 15:30–31). Follow him. And now the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. The subject of prayer is one that at first comes easily to new believers. Because Moses prayed. We can say the same thing two different ways: Prayer Changes Things (1 of 2) Mark Baker Philippians 4:6 Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7. and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. So your prayers are useless. Prayer Changes Things. And so again Paul was delivered from the unbelievers in Jerusalem just the way he asked for prayer in Romans 15:31. He has always been and will always be compassionate. Five things that happen when we pray: 1. My goal in this sermon is very simple. That’s the implication of verse 31. — NLT, emphasis mine. It just doesn’t work. — Exodus 32:14. Prayers are not only for Christians. It is often said that “Prayer Changes Things!” We should also add, “Prayer Changes Us!” It is true that your prayers will change things around you but sometimes your prayers change you. Series: Meet The Savior Who Was A Servant Sermon: Time For A Change Mark 10:46-52 Pastor Ricky Powell March 14, 2010 Introduction: An old man from the mountains took a trip to the big city. It is often said that “Prayer changes things!” We should also add, “Prayer changes us!” It is true that your prayers will change things around you but sometimes your prayers change you. Sermon: Prayer Changes Things. They take an oath not to eat until he is dead. Why is it not God’s usual way to just tell us to do things without giving us incentives like this to do them? I begin today by asking two questions about prayer from verse 30 before turning today to verse 31. Undaunted by the lack of response, he wrote a letter to God presenting his request once again. Christians are unavoidably out of step with this world. I pray that the Lord will influence your wills to believe it! Prepare your messages about prayer and devotion to God with sermon outlines or an entire sermon series. I want you to see that God is greatly glorified when we continue in prayer over a long period of time. God is Still on the Throne and Prayer Changes Things. Paul’s hope is that Philemon will pray, and this prayer will change things. Sermon on Prayer Changes Things – How to Pray Effectively – Kevin Cauley gives a definition of prayer, shows where to pray, and shows what to pray for. He will always want to touch people and to answer prayer. Prayer Changes Things – Prayer is the main way a human being can establish and maintain a connection with God. Now, what about the believers? But He can’t get better, because He is already the best. One of the most wonderful mysteries in the universe is that prayer changes things. Caliandro was not surprised but he was excited because an expert in human behavior was telling him what he knew all along — prayer is powerful! We want to hear from you about changing God’s mind as we reason with Him in prayer. He was saved by the working of the will of secular authorities. By prayer God calls us to join him in shaping history. Since Jesus is Lord, you may pray with confidence that he has the right and authority and power to restrain the disobedient in Judea. 7,780 views. It implies that God is not sovereign enough to decide that prayer can be used as a vehicle to influence his decisions. The fruit of the Holy Spirit is love and joy and that is what Paul met with in the church of Jerusalem. Now, these two questions from verse 30 set the stage for the lesson of verse 31. Now in verse 31 assumes this same view of the world. But his danger is not over. We should actively pray and trust in its power to change our circumstances for good. So your prayers are useless. — Jonah 4:2. How did they respond to Paul in answer to the other prayer in Romans 15:31, that his ministry be acceptable to the saints? So the more people there are praying for something, and thus depending on God for mercy and power, the more people will give him thanks and glorify him when the answer comes. Could that be right? He is perfect and perfection itself. So how was Paul saved? If I pick up Noël from the library because our son asks me to, she is just as picked up as if four sons asked me to. Referring to the sovereignty of God, he will say, God will do whatever He wants to do, so it doesn’t matter if you pray. Date written: July 24, 1994 Scripture ref: Acts 2:42. I conclude, then, that Matthew Henry is exactly right: in prayer we seek God to restrain the ill will of our enemies, and we seek God to preserve and increase the goodwill of our friends, because “God has the hearts both of the one and the other in his hands.”. We are to influence the wills of our children by prayer, and our husbands and wives and mothers and fathers and sisters and brothers and neighbors and colleagues and fellow students. Prayer internalizes the burden. Some of you have wondered, Why do we have prayer meetings? In one sense, prayer doesn’t change things. Excerpted with permission from Why Keep Praying When You Don’t See Results by Robert Morris, copyright Robert Morris. What have you quit praying about? That is, he typically draws the will into action by displaying truth to the mind. Paul had said, “I urge you by the love of the Spirit to strive in prayer.” Think what it must have meant for Paul as he came toward Jerusalem to have Christian groups “receive him gladly.” “The brethren received him gladly.” Oh how precious is the love of the Spirit when it flows to us from other believers. You can’t change God’s mind, because God can’t change. Real changes comes from within like the transformations that taking place to a butterfly, sometimes we cannot perceive what will happen, but changes begins and happenings because Prayer brings changes. Why have prayer chains and prayer groups? He has always been merciful, He is merciful at this very moment, and He will be that way right into eternity. Summary: This sermon helps us understand that if we live for God, Prayer is an effective way to overcome. When the Bible says that God is unchangeable, however, it isn’t saying that God doesn’t change His mind. In the book of Malachi, He declares: For I am the Lord, I do not change. For the first time in his life he found himself standing outside an elevator. Verse 31: “And while they were seeking to kill him, a report came up to the commander of the Roman cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion. Why would He do that? One common heresy (“open theism”) is that God doesn’t know the future and only responds to it like a chess player. Was Nineveh destroyed at that time? So I will say more then about the results of the sovereignty of God and human accountability. It is why we have Sunday School and BITC. God cannot and will not change His character. Satan knows that truth, too, and has had thousands of years to practice twisting it to his own ends. Prayer forces us to wait. (Tell your neighbor, Prayer Changes Things) Our Scripture says in verse 24 "They lifted up their voice to God with one accord" i.e. In today’s modern world sometimes it is hard for us to realize the power of prayer. But in closing this morning ask yourself if you believe this simple and powerful truth about prayer. 3. Or to say it another way, I want us to understand that we ought not to give up when we pray. Like a child before the Father (Luke 18:17), upon coming to faith in Christ, we realize not only that we have needs, but that the Lord is the best and only provider for our needs.For this reason, we quickly and willingly go to the Lord in prayer, laying all our cares before Him, knowing that He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job when he had prayed for his friends. This brings us to the very point where we are in our study of providence in the BITC on Wednesday nights. If someone says, “Why are you praying?” and we say, “I don’t know, I just felt this impulse,” God would not get the glory he would get if you answered, “I’m praying because Jesus is Lord and has the right to overrule human plans in answer to prayer; and I’m praying because the Spirit of God is a Spirit of love, and will hear my prayer for mercy.”. But God's will is sovereign. So to awaken their will to this kind of vigorous inclination, and pull it out into dynamic action, he puts two God-centered truths in their minds: (1) Jesus Christ is Lord (“by our Lord Jesus Christ”); (2) the Holy Spirit is a Spirit of love (“by the love of the Spirit”). Pastor Matt Chandler’s thoughts on prayer give us a powerful image of God’s eagerness to hear from us, His children Scriptures for Sermon On Fear, Anxiety, & StressA collection of verses that bring hope and comfort in times of difficulty and uncertainty. In Genesis 18:16-33 we see the patriarch standing before the Lord, actually praying for Sodom and Gomorrah and pleading that the Lord would reconsider His plan to destroy the evil cities. God doesn’t change, because if He could change, He could get better. Undaunted by the lack of response, he wrote a letter to God presenting his request once again. Or, more accurately, God changes people’s wills in answer to prayer. We can see the same dynamic in the story of Jonah. Jesus Over Everything Week 5 — Changing Your Heart. There would seem to be no point in praying for these two things if God could not do them. By prayer we are to influence the wills of presidents and kings and senators and governors and mayors (1 Timothy 2:1–2). The story is told of a young boy who wanted $100 very badly. If God is God, and it is his power that makes a difference in answering prayer, why does it matter how many people ask him? We are to act on the knowledge of God-centered incentives. A more profound reason to wonder whether our prayers make a difference is the biblical emphasis on God's greatness and the power of his will. Recall, there are two incentives: (1) I urge you “by our Lord Jesus Christ”; (2) I urge you “by the love of the Spirit.” Why does Paul use these incentives? Prayer changes all of the variables at work in any given situation, making possible either a miraculous and instantaneous deliverance or the slow, progressive change and growth necessary for overcoming adversity. We do not think the same or act the same because we serve a different Master. Why? And count on him to help you in your longings to see people change. So self-doubt should not make us wonder whether prayer can change things. In the Gospels, Jesus repeatedly tells people to follow him. God had said it would happen, but it didn’t happen. When these two things unite, infinite power and overflowing love, nothing can befall you but what God wills for your good. Abraham knew this. He watched as an old, haggard woman… For 33 years, he served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Be glad that that God has both a powerful Son and a loving Spirit. What a joke. It is a sign of gratitude and recognition towards God and His creations. So in this case, through Paul, God desires that the will of the Roman Christians incline to pray — and not just incline but incline vigorously. David Platt speaks at the Secret Church event on Friday, April 26, 2019. He is who He is. By prayer we are to influence the wills of professors and writers and entertainers and editors and pastors and elders and missionaries. Let’s see this from the text. The reason is this: God’s customary way to move your will is through your mind. Robert and his wife, Debbie, have been married 35 years and are blessed with one married daughter, two married sons and six grandchildren. The threatened judgment didn’t fall, and that nearly drove Jonah crazy. First, someone willed to run and tell the commander there was a riot. So do not listen to them, for more than forty of them are lying in wait for him who have bound themselves under a curse not to eat or drink until they slay him; and now they are ready and waiting for the promise from you.” Therefore the commander let the young man go, instructing him, “Tell no one that you have notified me of these things.” And he called to him two of the centurions, and said, “Get two hundred soldiers ready by the third hour of the night to proceed to Caesarea, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen.”. In chapter 23 Paul is in jail and some of his enemies form a conspiracy to ambush him when he is transferred to Caesarea. God is in the main business in the world of magnifying the worth of his Son and the power of his Spirit and the glory of his own name. But why doesn’t that call ring out in the rest of the New Testament? Title: PRAYER THAT CHANGES THINGS. Stand in awe of the Lordship of God and his Son Jesus. He is author of. God has so arranged his world that we have the ability to make significant choices, some good and some bad, which affect the course of history. The Lord relented from the harm which He said He would do to His people. Your faith life directly correlates to the quality of your prayer life. The second question from verse 30 is this: why do the prayers of the Roman Christians promise more help than if Paul simply prayed alone for his two requests? ~ Devotionals Daily. 02.07.2016 Preaching Text: “Now eight days after these saying Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray.” (Luke 9:28) You never know where you’ll find sermon material. If we are unwilling to change, we will abandon prayer as a noticeable characteristic of our lives. From the Message "The Angel Of The Lord" [53-0604] by Brother William Marrion Branham, delivered at the Roberts Park Amphitheater in Connersville, Indiana. Abraham began by asking the Lord not to wipe out the cities if he found fifty righteous people there. It is saying that God doesn’t change His character. We’re on a mission to change that. The Lord, the God of the universe, relented from a course of action that He had planned? GET IT NOW Provided by Ministry Pass. Another translation puts it even more starkly: So the Lord changed His mind about the terrible disaster He had threatened to bring on His people. These sermons were hand picked to help you prepare one or many sermons on this topic. For Christians, two of the most common New Year's resolutions are to spend more time reading the Bible and to spend more time in prayer. God influenced the wills of someone to inform the commander, the will of the commander, and the will of the mob. Today, let’s reboot our prayers and ask God for some life-changing, family-changing, city-changing, world-changing answers! He will always be faithful. Handling life without prayer is like playing basketball with a flat ball. How did God answer that? But why? He said, in essence, to the Lord, I knew this would happen! He is the Lord over the wills of centurions, and commanders, and mobs, and little boys. Let’s see how it works by going to the book of Acts and watching God answer this prayer. Church, I know it may sometimes seem fruitless, and vain—but never stop praying, never stop lifting your life—and the life of your friends unto … But Moses pleaded with God to turn aside from His intention of judgment and spare the people. And since the Spirit of God is a Spirit of love, you can pray with confidence that he will lovingly fill the saints in Jerusalem with love for Paul so that his ministry is accepted and not resented. He hated the people of Nineveh (for many logical and understandable reasons) and wanted very much to see such a vile place wiped off the world map. After his wet-and-wild encounter with the great fish, the runaway prophet did some repenting of his own and set out for Nineveh to deliver the message God had given him: Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown! Since it began in 2000, the church has grown to more than 36,000 active members. One answer is that the more people that are praying for a thing, the more thanks and honor God will get when he acts. In this booklet, Dr. R.C. You’re running into a brick wall a thousand miles thick, and you’ll never move it. Be glad and rejoice that the Spirit of God is a Spirit of love. He prayed for a long time, but nothing happened. God does not change, will not change, and cannot change. Why do You think I ran away from You in the first place, refusing to preach that message to them? That God is going to do whatever God is going to do, so why pray? God heard and answered with the love of the Spirit. So what we learn here is that energetic vigorous responses of the heart in prayer (and other ways) are meant by God to be responses to great God-centered truth — in this case, Jesus is Lord of the universe; and the Spirit is full of love. Trust him. And after he had greeted them, he began to relate one by one the things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. Prayer is for the glory of God and incentives to prayer are God-centered so that when our hearts are moved by those incentives, it will be clear that we are acting because of the way God is. It makes prayer a self-help therapy instead of a kingdom advancing force. So his will is that we be aware of these things: that we know them, that we think on them, and that they become conscious incentives in the way we make choices and the way we get stirred up to pray. I suggested last week that these two incentives correspond to the two prayer requests in verse 31. Prayer will certainly change material things when that change has a spiritual benefit. Well, in Acts 21 Paul meets a very hostile city, just as he expected. We see this in 2 Corinthians 1:10b–11: And [God] will yet deliver us, you also joining in helping us through your prayers, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed upon us through the prayers of many. 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