Christian House Church

Understanding Prayer (Part 5): Target Prayer

Some prayers aren't meant for adoration. They're meant to get a specific result. In Part 5 of the Understanding Prayer series, we look at target prayer, also called theme or topical prayer, and its two types: supplication (asking God for something specific) and intercession (standing in the gap for someone else).

From Hannah and Jabez, we see that specific prayers get specific answers. From Philippians 4:6, we learn that God has a prescription for anxiety. And from Mark 11:24, we learn that faith receives before it sees. We also look at why target prayers take persistence, why the valley between asking and receiving is part of the process, and why prayer is labour.

Key Scriptures: Mark 11:24 • Philippians 4:6 • 1 Samuel 1:11 • 1 Chronicles 4:10

What you'll hear:

• The difference between supplication and intercession
• Why vague prayers struggle to get answers, and how to be specific
• Why some answers take days, weeks, or months, and what God is doing in the background
• How to know when a prayer has been answered spiritually before it shows up physically

If you've given up on a prayer too early, this message is for you. Part 5 of the series.

Understanding Prayer (Part 4): Prayer of Praise, Thanksgiving and Worship

Some believers run out of things to say to God after a few minutes, while others pray for an hour. In Part 4 of the Understanding Prayer series, we begin looking at the patterns and types of prayer, starting with the prayer of praise, thanksgiving, and worship.

This is prayer with no request attached. From Jesus at the tomb of Lazarus and Daniel in the king's court, we see that thanking God is a prayer in itself. We also look at why quality thanks is specific, not general, how forgetfulness breeds ingratitude, and why a prayer with no thanksgiving is a selfish prayer.

Key Scriptures: John 11:41 • Daniel 2:23 • Psalm 100:4 • 1 Thessalonians 5:18

What you'll hear:

• Why prayer isn't only about asking
• How to give God quality thanks, and why a general "thank you" isn't enough
• Why ingratitude often starts with forgetting
• A simple exercise: write down what you're grateful for, and watch a five-minute prayer become an hour

Before you ask God for anything today, take time to thank Him. Part 4 of the series.

Understanding Prayer (Part 3)

Prayer does more than get us answers. It changes us, and it changes what's happening around us. In Part 3 of the Understanding Prayer series, we look at five things prayer does in a believer's life.

Prayer is a prerequisite for revival, the kind of spiritual awakening that gives you zeal and boldness. It invokes the ministry of angels, who are real, mighty, and waiting on our prayers. It is how we seek God's direction at life's crossroads. It strengthens our spirit to overcome temptation. And it takes us into God's presence, where His glory rubs off on us.

Key Scriptures: Acts 4:31 • Jeremiah 33:3 • Matthew 26:41 • Ephesians 3:16 • Exodus 34:29

What you'll hear:

• Why revival starts with a people who pray
• How prayer invokes the ministry of angels
• Why major decisions, including your career and marriage, must never be made without seeking God
• How a strong spirit overcomes temptation, and when the answer is to run
• Why people notice something different about you when you spend time with God

If you're facing a decision, battling temptation, or hungry for more of God, this one is for you. Part 3 of the series.

Understanding Prayer (Part 2)

Some battles can't be won with strategy, connections, or effort alone. In Part 2 of our Understanding Prayer series, we look at prayer as a weapon of warfare. Life throws curveballs, and some of the wars we fight were handed to us. When the enemy is invisible, prayer is how we hit him with precision.

We also look at what Jesus meant by "always pray" in Luke 18:1, why hope alone is not a strategy, and why persistence matters. Prayer has a measure, and some situations need more than one prayer. From Peter's imprisonment in Acts, we see what happens when the church prays continually for something that has been held captive.

Key Scriptures: Luke 18:1 • Romans 12:12 • Acts (Peter's imprisonment)

What you'll hear:

• Why prayer is a weapon and not a last resort
• Why hoping is not enough, and what to do instead
• Why persisting in prayer matters, and what "persevering" really means
• How to pray for the things you feel are locked away: a job, a marriage, healing, a breakthrough

If you've been praying and it feels like nothing is moving, keep going. This message is for you. Part 2 of the series.

Understanding Prayer (Part 1)

Most believers pray, but few understand what prayer is. This is the first message in a new teaching series on one of the most basic disciplines of the Christian faith, and one too many of us never grow past.

Starting from Luke 11 and Luke 18, we look at why prayer is not optional, what it is, and what it does. Prayer is communion with God. It is the protocol that invites Him into our affairs, the means of making our requests known, the way His will finds expression on earth, and the channel for supernatural power when natural options run out.

Key Scriptures: Luke 11:1 • Luke 18:1 • Philippians 4:6

What you'll hear:

• Why five-minute, self-centred prayer keeps us stuck
• Why God's promises don't fulfil automatically, and what Elijah, Esther, and Ezra teach us about that
• What to do when a situation is "naturally impossible"

If you've been waiting on a word, a breakthrough, or an answer, start here. This is Part 1.

When Naomi lost her husband and both sons, she came home calling herself bitter and empty. What she didn't see was that God was already at work in the background, and He had placed Ruth right beside her.

This message from the book of Ruth looks at what hopelessness feels like, and at why hope is not out of reach for anyone who is still breathing. The sermon also draws on the story of Holocaust survivor and psychiatrist Viktor Frankl, and on the lesson that hope helped him endure the unimaginable.

Key Scriptures: Isaiah 40:31 • Ruth 1–4 • Psalm 119:49

What you'll hear:

• Why God can be silent and still be working
• How to contact hope: hear His word, see His acts around you, remember what He has done, and let His process run its course
• Why the answer may not look the way you pictured it

If you're tired, discouraged, or ready to throw in the towel, press play. There is hope for you.

Life will throw disappointments, delays, fears, and opposition at you. Their aim is to move you off what God has said. In this message, we look at what it takes to take a stand and hold it.

Drawing from Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace, Daniel, Nehemiah rebuilding the wall, Esther, and Abraham, we see that standing firm starts with a decision. Determination is drawn from knowing who you have believed, and it grows as you remember what God has already done.

Key Scriptures: 

Psalm 125:1 • 2 Timothy 1:12 • Daniel 1:8 & Daniel 3 • Nehemiah 4 • Esther • Romans 4 • 2 Chronicles

What you'll hear:

• Why delay is one of the enemy's favourite tools
• Why knowing God is what makes an unpopular stand possible
• Seven qualities of a determined person: conviction, willingness to take risks, not waiting for convenience, making a plan, taking action, believing, and relying on the Holy Spirit

If you're waiting on a promise and it feels like nothing is moving, this one is for you. Press play, and decide: I will not be moved.

As we close our series on spirituality, this episode is a reminder that someone’s life is linked to your ability to walk in your identity.
As the salt of the earth, you preserve and purify (Matthew 5:13). As the light, you dispel darkness. As the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21), you can boldly approach His throne. As a heavenly citizen, you carry heavenly privilege and responsibility. As an ambassador, you officially represent Christ. As the redeemed, no curse has a claim on your life. And as one called to holiness, you are set apart for God’s specific use.
The question is, are you living in the fullness of who God has declared you to be?

God has already given you everything you need, so why do we keep living as though He hasn’t?
You are God’s temple, filled with His Spirit, and He has given you everything you need to live victoriously. Romans 8:37 declares you are more than a conqueror which means yes, there is a battle, but defeat is never your portion. You are also a chosen royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9) a priest with access to God’s altar and a king with authority to decree and establish things in the earth.
It’s time to stop accepting what Jesus already overcame. Go into the secret place, pray, worship, and declare the Word of God over every area of opposition in your life.

As we continue with last week’s message on spiritual identity, in this week’s episode we look at what we’re truly capable of when we walk in that identity.

The Bible gives us two truths to anchor ourselves in. First, you are God’s temple (1 Corinthians 6:19). God has always been intentional about where He places His name and He has chosen to place it in you. The Holy Spirit dwells in the believer. That means wherever you go, God goes. Second, you are a co-labourer with God (1 Corinthians 3:9). You are not a spectator in His kingdom. There is work assigned to you, a field you are called to tend.

Identity is not found by searching. It is found through revelation. You have to labour in prayer and in the Word until God reveals what He has placed in your DNA.