Embrace the Prayer Embrace the Prayer Life of Christ!Life of Christ!

Toni & Jerry PorterToni & Jerry Porter

JOPLIN DISTRICTJOPLIN DISTRICTMinistry Team RetreatMinistry Team Retreat

Branson, MO – March 6, 2013Branson, MO – March 6, 2013

Embrace Embrace the prayer the prayer life of life of Christ!Christ!

“History is silent about revivals that did not begin with prayer.” Edwin Orr

PRAYER & FASTINGPRAYER & FASTING

PENITENCE: The Israelites gathered PENITENCE: The Israelites gathered together, fasting and wearing sackcloth together, fasting and wearing sackcloth and having dust on their heads… They and having dust on their heads… They stood in their places and confessed their stood in their places and confessed their sins and the wickedness of their fathers. sins and the wickedness of their fathers. They stood where they were and read They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the LORD from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day, and their God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the LORD their God. worshiping the LORD their God. (Neh 9:1-3)(Neh 9:1-3)

PRAYER & FASTINGPRAYER & FASTING

HUMILITY: When you fast, do not look HUMILITY: When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.reward you. (Matt 6:16-18 NIV)(Matt 6:16-18 NIV)

PRAYER & FASTINGPRAYER & FASTING

THE CHURCH PASSIONATELY THE CHURCH PASSIONATELY SEEKING GODSEEKING GOD’’S DIRECTION AND S DIRECTION AND BLESSING: While they were worshiping BLESSING: While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." the work to which I have called them." So after they had fasted and prayed, So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and they placed their hands on them and sent them off. sent them off. (Acts 13:2-3 NIV)(Acts 13:2-3 NIV)

PRAYER & FASTINGPRAYER & FASTING

EstherEsther’’s fast – no food or drinks fast – no food or drinkJesusJesus’’ fast – liquid only fast fast – liquid only fast DanielDaniel’’s fast – eliminate pleasurable s fast – eliminate pleasurable

food or activityfood or activity

Purpose:Purpose:Not to obtain what I want but to be Not to obtain what I want but to be

changed so Godchanged so God’’s will may be dones will may be done

>>A woman whose little daughter A woman whose little daughter was possessed by an evil spirit was possessed by an evil spirit came and came and fell at his feetfell at his feet..““ Even Even the dogs under the table eat the the dogs under the table eat the children‘s crumbs.children‘s crumbs.”” (Mk 7:25, 28 NIV)(Mk 7:25, 28 NIV)

>>  prospipto  prospipto>>to fall forwards, to fall forwards, prostrate prostrate one's selfone's self in homage or suppli- in homage or suppli-cation: at one's feet cation: at one's feet (Strong's)(Strong's)

>>Desperate Desperate prayer!prayer!

“The sin of prayerlessness is one of the deepest roots of all evil. In it are embedded all the other sins of pride, arrogance, independence, self-sufficiency, unbelief and rebellion… And it is the one sin to which we must all plead guilty.” Andrew MurrayAndrew Murray

Jim Cymbala accepted the Jim Cymbala accepted the call to pastor a difficult church call to pastor a difficult church in New York City. The Holy in New York City. The Holy Spirit told him, Spirit told him, ““If you and If you and your wife will teach the your wife will teach the church to pray, I will grant church to pray, I will grant you a great harvest.you a great harvest.””

Wait in PrayerWait in Prayer

““Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

(Acts 1:4-5 NIV)(Acts 1:4-5 NIV)

Wait in PrayerWait in Prayer

For 10 days in the Upper Room For 10 days in the Upper Room the 120 “all joined together the 120 “all joined together constantly in prayer.” constantly in prayer.” (Acts 1:14)(Acts 1:14)

““In prayer the disciples turned a In prayer the disciples turned a key in the gates of heaven, and key in the gates of heaven, and the Holy Spirit was poured out the Holy Spirit was poured out upon them.” upon them.” John F. DeVriesJohn F. DeVries

3,000 were saved!3,000 were saved!

Cali, Colombia

House of PrayerChurch of the Nazarene

5,000 in weekly Prayer & Fasting5,000 in weekly Prayer & Fasting

We need weekly corporate prayer meetings

We need weekly corporate prayer meetings

Jesus prayed for JerusalemO Jerusalem, Jerusalem … how

often I have longed to gather your children together, as a

hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. (Matt 23:37 NIV)

Jesus prayed for JerusalemO Jerusalem, Jerusalem … how

often I have longed to gather your children together, as a

hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. (Matt 23:37 NIV)

We must pray for our communities

We must pray for our communities

A church prayed intensively for a

neighborhood of 80 homes. Phone contact was made to 80 homes plus 80 more in a 2nd

neighborhood with no prayer covering

67 of 80 homes shared a prayer request and 40 asked for a visit. 2nd

neighborhood: only 1 of 80 shared a prayer

request!

A church prayed intensively for a

neighborhood of 80 homes. Phone contact was made to 80 homes plus 80 more in a 2nd

neighborhood with no prayer covering

67 of 80 homes shared a prayer request and 40 asked for a visit. 2nd

neighborhood: only 1 of 80 shared a prayer

request!

Pray for the lost because they are children of the father of liesPray for the lost because they

are children of the father of lies

"Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your fathers desires. He was a

murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for

there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and

the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me!” (Jn 8:43-45)

"Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your fathers desires. He was a

murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for

there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and

the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me!” (Jn 8:43-45)

Pray for the lost because they are blinded to the Light

Pray for the lost because they are blinded to the Light

“The god of this age has blinded the minds of

unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the

glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

(2 Corinthians 4:4)

“The god of this age has blinded the minds of

unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the

glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

(2 Corinthians 4:4)

Pray for the lost because the things of God are foolishness to them

Pray for the lost because the things of God are foolishness to them

“The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers

them foolishness, and cannot understand them

because they are discerned only through the Spirit.”

(1 Corinthians 2:14)

“The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers

them foolishness, and cannot understand them

because they are discerned only through the Spirit.”

(1 Corinthians 2:14)

Pray for the lost because love leads us to intercedePray for the lost because love leads us to intercede

“I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place

of torment.”(Luke 16:26)

“I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place

of torment.”(Luke 16:26)

Pray for the lost because our faith helps others come

to Christ

Pray for the lost because our faith helps others come

to Christ

“Everything is possible for one who believes.” (Mark

9:23)

“When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the

paralyzed man, ‘Son. your sins are forgiven.’”

(Mark 2:5)

“Everything is possible for one who believes.” (Mark

9:23)

“When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the

paralyzed man, ‘Son. your sins are forgiven.’”

(Mark 2:5)

Pray for the lost because our prayer binds satan

Pray for the lost because our prayer binds satan

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for

each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a

righteous person is powerful and effective.” (James

5:16)

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for

each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a

righteous person is powerful and effective.” (James

5:16)

Christlike DisciplesThe Prayer Life of Christ

Christlike DisciplesThe Prayer Life of Christ

The heartbeat of a great church is the personal

and collective prayer life of its people!

The heartbeat of a great church is the personal

and collective prayer life of its people!

Embrace the Embrace the prayer life of prayer life of

Christ!Christ!

“All you need to do to learn to pray is to pray.” Wesley Duewel

Praise and ThanksgivingPraise and Thanksgiving

In groups of three:In groups of three:Exalt and magnify the Exalt and magnify the

Lord God … with gratitude Lord God … with gratitude for the Fatherfor the Father’’s blessings!s blessings!

““Praise is the doorway Praise is the doorway into prayer.” into prayer.” John DeVriesJohn DeVries

Our Father which art in heaven, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. Amen. (Matt 6:9-13 KJV)(Matt 6:9-13 KJV)

Prayer for the LostPrayer for the Lost

I urge, then, first of all, that I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for and thanksgiving be made for everyone… This is good, and everyone… This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. come to a knowledge of the truth.

(1 Tim 2:1, 3-4 (1 Tim 2:1, 3-4 NIV)NIV)

Cry out for your ChildrenCry out for your ChildrenArise, cry out in the night, as Arise, cry out in the night, as the watches of the night begin; the watches of the night begin; pour out your heart like water in pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to him for the lives your hands to him for the lives of your children of your children (Lam. 2:19 NIV)(Lam. 2:19 NIV)

Circle Prayers for the LostCircle Prayers for the Lost

In groups of four, each In groups of four, each one takes a turn in the one takes a turn in the middle of the circle.middle of the circle.

Each person is invited to Each person is invited to share one name of a lost share one name of a lost family member or friend.family member or friend.

Prayer GuidePrayer Guide

•SchoolsSchools•GovernmentGovernment•FinancesFinances•Muslim Muslim neighborsneighbors•Peace and Peace and Justice in the Justice in the worldworld

•The CrossThe Cross•Marriage Marriage •ChildrenChildren•FamilyFamily•Lost family & Lost family & friendsfriends•HealthHealth•Your ministryYour ministry

Petitions and NeedsPetitions and Needs

In groups of three:In groups of three:Each person is invited to Each person is invited to

share one or two of the share one or two of the most important or urgent most important or urgent prayer requestsprayer requests

Embrace the Embrace the prayer life of prayer life of

Christ!Christ!

Prayer for HealingPrayer for Healing

Come forward and share your Come forward and share your request for request for Physical healing (for Physical healing (for

yourself or a loved one)yourself or a loved one)Emotional healingEmotional healingSocial healingSocial healingSpiritual healingSpiritual healing