Study in Prayer

Some people are praying about certain situations and are not seeing anything change in their life. It’s as if their prayers are not being heard. Nothing is changing.

One of the reasons they may not be seeing any answer to their prayers is because they are not praying in line with God’s Word. They are not doing what God said to do about their cares, anxieties, worries and concerns. It is not going to do you any good to pray something concerning your cares and such, unless you are willing to do what God tells you to do about them. Amen!

In other words, there are some things you have no business praying about! Some things that God just EXPECTS you to not need to pray about. And if you ARE praying about those things, it shows Him that you are not really studying His Word the way you’re supposed to be doing either.  Don’t shout me down when I’m preaching good! Amen!

You know exactly what I’m talking about – don’t you? 

This surprises some people. They will say, “Well, brother Bob, I thought you were supposed to pray about everything… That’s what the Bible says…”

Yes, it does say that. But you are taking that out of context. It doesn’t mean you have to pray about what God already has told you to do. There are many things you don’t have any business praying about. These are things that God has already said “DO THIS.”  He expects you to do them…not SAY you are doing them. Not saying you DID THEM. Just DO WHAT HE SAYS TO DO!

No asking about “if” you should do them. Just do them. That puts you in Good Graces with God.

Do you remember the parable Jesus taught in Matthew 21 about the man who had two sons. Let’s look at that really quick because it emphasizes the point I’m trying to make.

Mathew 21: verse 28-32:

28But what do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first one and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’

29‘I will not,’ he replied. But later he changed his mind and went.i

30Then the man went to the second son and told him the same thing. 

‘I will, sir,’ he said. But he did not go.

31Which of the two did the will of his father?” 

“The first,j” they answered. 

Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you. 32For John came to you in a righteous way and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

Why did Jesus say the tax collectors and prostitutes would enter the Kingdom before the Pharisees and other religious Jews?

Because they were trusting in their prayers and rituals. The tax collectors and prostitutes KNEW they were lost and when Jesus said “only believe” – they DID! They then went about SHARING the Gospel – the GOOD NEWS – that Salvation was for those who did one thing – BELIEVE ON JESUS!

Praise God!

I hope you are getting this! 

It does you no good at all to go into your prayer closet and pray for one hour or more every single day, asking God for the exact same things you have been asking Him for during your hour long prayer sessions for the last 17 times, 17 months or 17 years. 

IF you can find a situation in the Bible where He answered someone else’s prayer about any situation that is similar to yours, USE THAT to build your prayer of petition (which we will get into how a prayer of petition works later).

If God said DO THIS and you are not doing it – WHY would He answer your prayer requests when YOU are not doing what He already said for you to do?

Yes, we do need to ask God continually for answers to our prayers. “Pray continually,” is in the Bible…but not “pester continually.”

If your kids comes every 5 minutes wanting an cookie, do you give it to them?  NO. Why? Don’t you want them to enjoy cookies? Ever?  Of course not. 

You know that dinner is in one hour and you do not want to ruin their appetite for GOOD, WHOLESOME food with what is supposed to be a treat. Right?

Just stick with me here for a minute…

Perhaps, just perhaps – God knows what is coming your way. It is something that is going to bless you immensely. It is something that, if He were to grant you THIS prayer request, would stop you from truly enjoying what it is He has planned for your benefit. Even though YOU cannot see it coming – HE CAN!  

So, when you are not seeing your prayers answered in the way YOU want them answered, stop pestering Him with the relentless prayer requests and start to pray something to the effect of…

In fact, let’s pray this prayer right now, together. I think this would be a good way of ending today’s session. Let’s Pray!

“God, I know that you know what is best for me. If the timing is not right for this request, I just want you to know that I appreciate all that you have already answered my prayers about and I want you to know that I am open to hear your voice and your promptings in my life. Lead, guide and direct me through your Word and through your Holy Spirit so I may live this life to the full in total service to you. In JESUS NAME, Amen!"

Please subscribe to this podcast, leave us a quick 5 star review on Apple Podcasts to help us grow and be sure to visit our website for more information on our ministry: https://podcastersforchrist.com. And while you are at the website, download the free resource I have for you… it is free and is called, “How to Start a Christian Podcast.” It will bless you – go and download it today.

You can also WATCH these session on our Facebook Playlist at this link: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtKWeKtmv-BwgkquBTsSh-GznbmuUp_R2

Scripture of the Day:   

Revelation 8:3

“Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne.”

When the Glory Shows Up

Did you ever stop to think about WHEN the Glory of the Lord filled the Temple? It was when all the people were praying and singing praise to God, out loud, in one accord. The Glory cloud filled the Temple so the priests could not even stand and minister. That is what united prayer can do! Amen!

In 2 Chronicles 7:2, this is immediately after King Solomon had finished his prayer and the Glory cloud descended and filled the Temple in verse 1, verse 2 says, “And the priests could not enter into the house of the Lord, because the Glory of the Lord had filled the Lord’s house.” 

When God shows up, nobody, and I mean nobody, can stand in His presence. Amen!

When you are in trouble and you call on the Name of the Lord, He hears you. And when He shows up, no devil in hell is going to be trying to fight you. Every demon from hell will tremble and fall prostrate before the Lord of Hosts – or flee before He arrives.

That is why Jesus said in Luke 10:19, “Behold, I have given you…(notice this is PAST TENSE)…I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions and over ALL the power of the enemy. Nothing will harm you!” 

Praise God – that’s shouting ground right there! Glory to God!

If you are facing down a demon that is tormenting you, you have nothing to fear! If that devil says, “God isn’t going to deliver you this time…” – just remind that devil that he IS a liar and there is no truth in him…so that means if he says “God isn’t going to deliver you” – that is a lie and it means you  have already been delivered! AMEN!

Then, remember what Jesus also said in John 14:14, “Ask ANYTHING in my name, I will do it!”

Now that is a promise you can bank on! Glory to God!

Just ASK in the Name of Jesus and watch the Glory fill your house! Amen!  No devil in hell will stay within the confines of your house when God is on the scene…and let me go one step further…

Your body is known as what? THE TEMPLE OF THE LORD! Amen!

So if sickness is invading your body – there is no sickness in God. So it must be a lie of the devil. 

Based on what we learned today, what should you do?

Call on the Name of Jesus and ask for the GLORY TO FILL YOUR HOUSE – your body! Amen!

“Well, brother Bob, I’m still sick. The doctor says I’m going to die.”

Let me ask you, who do you believe more? Your doctor or Jesus?  

Trust the Word in all circumstances – even when the doctor is telling you there is no hope.

What is the absolute WORST that can happen in that situation?

“Well, I could die!”  

That’s right! And since that is the WORST – anything else is better, right? Maybe instead of passing away in 3 weeks it’s 3 months. But what happens if you die like the doctor said?

Absent from the body means you are now present with the Lord! 

In HIS GLORY!  Amen!

Folks, it’s a win-win situation no matter how you look at it! Amen!  You just need to maintain your Faith in God that HE WILL do what His Word says  He will do! God is not a man that He should lie. God WILL DO what HIS WORD says HE WILL DO!

That is all you have to rest in. Period. End of story! 

And end of today’s episode as well. Amen!

Let’s pray that your Faith would increase in the power and intensity like we are talking about today. No matter what it is you are facing – find an instance in the Word of God where God brought deliverance for a situation similar to yours – and lift those scriptures to Him in prayer and thank Him that what He did for one – He will do for you! Praise God! 

Let’s Pray!

Please subscribe to this podcast, leave us a quick 5 star review on Apple Podcasts to help us grow and be sure to visit our website for more information on our ministry: https://podcastersforchrist.com. And while you are at the website, download the free resource I have for you… it is free and is called, “How to Start a Christian Podcast.” It will bless you – go and download it today.

You can also WATCH these session on our Facebook Playlist at this link: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtKWeKtmv-BwgkquBTsSh-GznbmuUp_R2

Did you know it is possible for believers today to usher in the Glory of God in our church services? Absolutely! I’ve been involved in one such instance myself. I’m telling you – it is something that you will never forget!

In Old Testament times, the Bible says the Glory of the Lord would fill the Temple where the people were praying. We can read all about this instance in 2 Chronicles 5:6-7 & 11-14. But, in accordance with what we have been teaching on these past few days about united prayer, I want to look at verse 13 in particular…

2 Chronicles 5:13, “It came to pass, AS THE TRUMPETERS AND SINGERS WERE AS ONE, to make ONE SOUND to be heard in PRAISING AND THANKING THE LORD, and when THEY LIFTED UP THEIR VOICE AS ONE with the trumpets and cymbals and music and praised the Lord saying, “For his is good; for his mercy endures forever…” That THEN the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the Lord.”

AMEN!

And, at the end of that service, not only was the House filled with the cloud and Glory of the Lord, but FIRE fell from Heaven and consumed the sacrifices, as we read in our scripture of the day! Praise God!

Have you ever experienced that?

NO?  Really?  

Well, I wonder why not?

Like I said, I’ve experienced a couple of times. Only a couple. Not the fire coming down from Heaven part – but the Glory Cloud coming into the sanctuary. 

The first time was at our Bible School and a great man of God named Dick Durbin was teaching. He was teaching on the Altar of the Lord and these scriptures. It was almost a week he was there as a special guest. And the last service is when he was teaching on this and about the burning of incense and the praise and music as we just read about…

Well, our praise team was singing, the band was playing and the students were in reverent worship…and then…almost imperceptible at first, but you could see “something” was happening…

A cloud started to descend from the ceiling down towards the altar of incense that was a representation of the real altar (obviously it was not THE Altar…amen). But it visibly descended and surrounded the altar and then started to slowly spread out through the auditorium and within about two minutes, people were sobbing and crying out praises to God…and it continued for about 30 minutes. It was the most awesome prayer experience I had ever, and I mean EVER, experienced in my life! 

I get goose bumps just talking about it. To be in the actual presence of the Lord like that…

The second time was several years later in a conference. We did not have a duplicate altar or anything like that in the conference I was in. But the praise and worship and the united prayers that were being offered were similar in nature and…unexpectedly, the same type of cloud started to descend from the rafters and did the same thing. It seemed like “fingers” of the cloud just sought each person out – me included. 

The results were the same…Some were praising God while others just fell to their knees and sobbed, not sorrowful sobs…but repentant sobs and gratifying sobs of KNOWING they had been forgiven…it is so difficult for me to explain in words…but the experience is unforgettable.

I imagine, just thinking of it right now, that must  have been something similar to what the disciples experienced in the Book of Acts on the Day of Pentecost. Something to think about anyway…

My point I’m trying to make today is that UNITED prayer can bring God’s presence on the scene. It may not be a physical experience as described here in 2 Chronicles chapter 5 or chapter 7. It may not be the type of experience I’ve described to you that I’ve been a part of. Those were only two instances where I experienced an physical presence of the Lord in visible and spiritual form. 

But I have experienced His presence in numerous situations in my life, as I’m sure you have as well. 

Why?

Because He dwells WITHIN each of us, as believers. He is as close to you as your heart beating in your chest. Amen!

But, the point being, DO NOT discount the power of praise. Do not discount the effect of group prayer and praise. Do not discount presence of the Lord in your life or the Power of God to change any situation you are in. Amen!

I want to pray for the presence of the Lord to be manifested in your life…in whatever situation you are facing today. Amen. It may not be a physical manifestation, but He will show up and you will know it when He does. Amen. Let’s pray.

Please subscribe to this podcast, leave us a quick 5 star review on Apple Podcasts to help us grow and be sure to visit our website for more information on our ministry: https://podcastersforchrist.com. And while you are at the website, download the free resource I have for you… it is free and is called, Podcasting for Christians. It will bless you – go and download it today.

You can also WATCH these session on our Facebook Playlist at this link: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtKWeKtmv-BwgkquBTsSh-GznbmuUp_R2

February 8                  

     Scripture of the Day:   

Acts 4:24

“When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.”

 Be Bold When You Pray

These past few days, I’ve been sharing the story from Acts chapter 4 about where Peter and John healed the cripple man at the gate Beautiful and were subsequently arrested and threatened by the Pharisees to stop teaching in the Name of Jesus.

We covered yesterday how the two returned to their own company, their own church members and reported what happened. We then covered how they all prayed in “one accord,” not for revenge or retribution, but for BOLDNESS to keep on teaching in the Name of Jesus! Amen!

We covered how the Lord immediately granted their request by shaking the building they were in and the filling them all with the Holy Spirit and giving them BOLDNESS. Praise God.

That means there were some there that were timid in sharing their Faith. But not after the shaking and the filling! Amen!

Have you ever said something to the effect of “Well, not everybody can be bold in sharing their Faith” or something along those lines? 

Maybe you have said something like, “I’m not cut out to be witness like brother so-and-so or sister so-and-so. That’s just not me…”

Well, there were some in that company that were obviously like that, too. But prayer changed that personality on the spot! Amen!

Let’s look at this from the perspective of NOT being bold for a minute. 

In verse 23, they were all together when Peter and John told them what had happened. They were not being bold at that time, were they? If they were, they would have been marching right down the Temple headquarters and demanding Peter and John to be released. But that did not happen.

They were, basically, hiding out. Amen!

We can continue reading and you see the prayer that was prayed. It was prayed corporately. That does not mean they all prayed the same exact words…

I believe someone, probably Peter – he was always the bold one, right… I believe Peter prayed the prayer written in scriptures and everyone else was praying in tongues in agreement. Because this prayer was so detailed, there is no way everyone could have been praying this prayer word for word. Not unless it was written down and passed out to everyone. So that did not happen…

But yet, it says they all prayed that prayer “in one accord.” That means they were in agreement, right. But look at the part of the verse that says, “They all lifted their voice to God in one accord…” How could they do that?

By praying, in agreement, in tongues. As Peter prayed the words in their language, they all went the Throne Room in tongues and were praying in agreement with Peter. Amen.

And what happened?  As we have been sharing these past few days – a SHAKING took place and then, the scripture says they were ALL filled with the Holy Spirit…

But wait! How could they all be filled with the Holy Spirit IF they were praying in tongues in agreement with the prayer?

Simple…keep reading…

It says in verse 31, they were all filled with the Holy Ghost AND THEY SPOKE THE WORD WITH BOLDNESS…

They received exactly what they were asking for: BOLDNESS.

They were already born again, yes?

They were already filled with the Holy Spirit, yes?

They were already able to speak in tongues, yes?

So, what was the FILLING of the Holy Spirit referenced here? BOLDNESS!

Jesus told them “Whatsover things you ask the Father for in my Name, he will give them to you.” He also said, “Whatsevoer things you ask me for, in my Name, I will grant to you.” He also said, “It is expedient for me to go. Because if I don’t go, I can’t send the comforter. But if I do go, I will send Him to you.”

All of these things talk here, about Jesus sending the Holy Spirit to grant to them their specific request for BOLDNESS!  Amen!

I taught previously about you “need to be specific” in your prayer requests. That goes hand in hand with what we see here. Amen!

Glory to God!

Let’s pray for YOU to be specific in your prayers. Let’s pray for the Holy Spirit to impart to you BOLDNESS to declare the works and words of Jesus and share the Gospel with others that you meet. Amen! 

Let’s pray!

Please subscribe to this podcast, leave us a quick 5 star review on Apple Podcasts to help us grow and be sure to visit our website for more information on our ministry: https://podcastersforchrist.com. And while you are at the website, download the free resource I have for you… it is free and is called, Podcasting for Christians. It will bless you – go and download it today.

You can also WATCH these session on our Facebook Playlist at this link: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtKWeKtmv-BwgkquBTsSh-GznbmuUp_R2

February 7                                   

Scripture of the Day:   

Acts 4:31

“After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.”

Prayer in the Early Church

When you get to the place where you can get serious with God…when you get the place that you don’t care who sees you, hears you praying or hears about you praying – THEN you will begin to see the results. Amen!

We’ve been studying the past few days about God shaking the places the disciples were praying from. Prisons, rooms with other believers, etc.

But I want to look at what actually caused Peter and John to get in trouble in the first place.

In Acts chapter 3, verses 6-8, you can read the story about how they healed, in the Name of Jesus, the crippled man at the Gate Beautiful. And how this was done openly, publicly and word spread quickly that this notable healing had occurred.

This word soon got back to the Pharisees who sent the Temple Guard to bring Peter and John in for questioning. 

They wanted to beat them and lock them up…but someone reported this news had already spread all over town. It could not be swept under the rug or denied. 

So, they decided to threaten Peter and John before they let them go. 

This happens in our society today. If you preach against homosexuality or transgenderism or anything the left says is normal but the Bible calls an abomination – you will be threatened…

I was preaching up in Canada a few years back and was told by the pastor, “Please don’t say anything about the gays. The government will shut down our church.” This cancel culture syndrome is now in the United States – especially with this administration that is running the show now.

Anyway – we are here to talk about prayer and the power of prayer, amen!

We covered yesterday Peter’s reply from verses 19 & 20 about “whether it is right in the sight of God to obey you or Him, you decide, but we are going to keep on preaching…” Glory to God (that was my paraphrase, by the way).

We also covered how they went back to their own church members and reported what had happened and then they all prayed TOGETHER, verbally and in one accord and how God shook the building they were in…

He did not send an earthquake to the area. He did not shake other buildings. He did not destroy anything. He simply shook the building and answered their prayer for BOLDNESS. Amen!

That’s what they asked for in verse 29 – BOLDNESS as they were determined to keep on preaching and teaching, despite the threats. Amen!

In verse 31, we see God immediately answering their prayers with a confirming sign! The shaking and the filling with the Holy Spirit to have a spirit of BOLDNESS!

The exact thing the Pharisees did not want to happen is the thing that did happen! 

They told two disciples to shut up and go home…

Those two told their friends and they all started to pray that ALL of them would receive BOLDNESS to preach the Gospel – and God granted their request and answered their prayers.

Now, instead of two bold disciples of Jesus – there was a whole ROOM FULL of disciples hitting the streets, declaring the Name and Power of the Name of Jesus and healing all sorts of manner of diseases – all in the face of the Pharisees! Glory to God!

We will pick it up there again tomorrow. I want to pray for you to receive that kind of BOLDNESS in the Name of Jesus! Amen!

Please subscribe to this podcast, leave us a quick 5 star review on Apple Podcasts to help us grow and be sure to visit our website for more information on our ministry: https://podcastersforchrist.com. And while you are at the website, download the free resource I have for you… it is free and is called, Podcasting for Christians. It will bless you – go and download it today.

You can also WATCH these session on our Facebook Playlist at this link: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtKWeKtmv-BwgkquBTsSh-GznbmuUp_R2