Wednesday April 10, 2013

Read Matthew 6:8. Ephesians 3:20-21. Acts 12:5-11

The early church had many good points and many not so good points about it. One of the positives was that they prayed expectantly. They prayed with an expectant heart, knowing that God would act in powerful ways. Sometimes I sit in churches today and hear prayers that are the exact opposite - prayers are offered to God with a an attitude of “un-expectancy”. It’s almost as though some believers pray these kinds of words to God, ‘Lord I don’t think you’ll answer this prayer and I don’t really believe that you are listening but…’  Have you ever prayed like that? Have you ever felt that God isn’t listening? Have you ever prayed with a blackened heart wondering if God has more important things to tend to than sitting and listening to you?

 

Repent and be encouraged. God loves you so much that before you even pray, He knows exactly what you need. He knows every hair on your head. He knows all about you. He knows every thought and desire in your heart. He knows you and what you need. That shouldn’t make you pray less but even more and even more intensely with passion and purpose.

 

Our God can do immeasurably more than we could ever ask or imagine. If we pray for one conversion God can bring thousands, if not millions. If we ask for an open door, God can clear us a multilane highway. Again, God’s gracious character should cause us to pray expectantly and with great fervour. When the church was earnestly praying for Peter they couldn’t imagine that God would free him. Read Acts 12:13-15 and you’ll see that there were praying for Peter, probably to die well and in a way that glorified Christ. Peter being freed was not in their realm of imagination. But our God is a God who can do immeasurably more than we could ever ask or imagine.

 

Nothing is impossible for our God. Our God can do what ever He pleases.

Be encouraged. When you pray, don’t pray half heartedly. Don’t pray like God isn’t listening. Don’t pray like God doesn't care about you. You are dearly loved by God. Jesus died on the cross and rose to eternal life for you. Jesus gave His all so that you can pray to God. You are God’s beloved child. You have a God who can do the impossible. You have a God that knows your every need. You have a God who can do more than you could ever ask or imagine. Pray accordingly.

Prayer:

Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.

 

Adoration:

 

Confession:

 

Thanks:

 

Supplication:

¥ Ask God to change your heart and mind towards prayer and to show you the power of prayer. Ask God to raise the priority you have put on prayer in the past. Pray all of this for 5-10 other people in your congregation.

¥ Pray for the work of Student Life and Uni Impact (NZ). Pray that God would be a provider for all their needs and that He would open doors for students to hear and respond positively to the gospel. Pray that there would be a spiritual awakening among our universities and that many thousands would come to faith in Christ across both countries.

 

Discussion Questions For Families and Groups

1. What factors stop you from praying expectantly?

2. Do you believe God hears and will answer your prayers? Why  or Why not?