PRAYER: Prayers Reward

There will come a day when we will see the score after score of unnamed individuals receiving the reward of their intercession. The babies that did not die, the nations that did not fall, the awakenings to God that were realized and the revivals that we experienced – all because SOMEONE PRAYED.

Someday, all of God’s children, small and greate will stand beore the Lrod Jesus Chris, someday the prayer warriors will stand too. If I am not greately mistaken their reqwareds will be the largest of all.

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: Matthew 25:34 KJV

Pastor Winston

PRAYER: We Can All Pray

The ministry of intercession needs no college degree; the youngest as well as the oldest can serve. The practice of prayer needs no cathedral like setting – your bedroom at home or your prison cell will do just as well. Nor, does wealth or social standing make a bit of difference.

Some of God’s mightiest prayer-warriors were virtually unknown to any but their immediate families. Yet this type of prayer - intercession - is the most powerful and most effective of all. This ministry activates all others. Everything in the Christian life depends on it. And God’s depends on you the prayer …

Pastor Winston

PRAYER: Wide Reaching Ministry

As strange as it may seem, these have the greatest opportunity. For they may undertake the greatest ministry and move the greatest mountains. And is so doing, they may earn the greatest rewards. It is true; a prayer ministry is greater than all.

It’s more wide reaching than teaching. It is more effective than preaching. It’s more certain than testifying. It’s more lasting than any other service. For prayer deals directly with God. Prevailing prayer moves the arm that holds the universe. Prayer calls upon the Christ who never fails.

And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. Psalm 50:15 KJV

He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. Psalm 91:15 KJV

Pastor Winston

PRAYER: Earnest Prayer

In the wisdom of God some of His children are confined to their homes. Others are sentenced to spend their time in places of incarceration of mind and body. Some seem to live in obscurity in our modern age of media and the bling. They don’t meet people, teach Bible classes, nor do they preach to churches.

Yet they earnestly desire to do the will and work of God. How can they serve Christ? How can they lay up treasure in heaven? They pray, earnestly pray – and they move the hand of God and awaken his presence from their obscurity.

Pastor Winston

PRAYER: The Foundation of Ministry

We must admit, from our human perspective it really doesn’t look like prayer is the greatest ministry. We would be inclined to think that the evangelist, who speaks to thousands of people, or the television preacher who teaches millions, or even the successful past who leads his large church membership would have larger ministries. But all of these are secondary ministries. There can be no successful evangelist, teacher or pastor without godly, praying people behind them. God’s plan is to bless and use His servants in answer, but only in answer to earnest heartfelt intercessory prayer.

John Wesley said, "God is limited by our prayer life; it seems that God can do nothing for humanity unless someone asks Him."

One archbishop of Canterbury commented that it seemed more coincidences of God’s intervention occurred after he prayed.

… The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]. James 5:16 AMP

PRAYER: The Foundation of Ministry

We must admit, from our human perspective it really doesn’t look like prayer is the greatest ministry. We would be inclined to think that the evangelist, who speaks to thousands of people, or the television preacher who teaches millions, or even the successful past who leads his large church membership would have larger ministries. But all of these are secondary ministries. There can be no successful evangelist, teacher or pastor without godly, praying people behind them. God’s plan is to bless and use His servants in answer, but only in answer to earnest heartfelt intercessory prayer.

John Wesley said, "God is limited by our prayer life; it seems that God can do nothing for humanity unless someone asks Him."

One archbishop of Canterbury commented that it seemed more coincidences of God’s intervention occurred after he prayed.

… The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]. James 5:16 AMP

Pastor Winston

Fasting Is Important

We know that fasting has a significant place in the life of a Christian. When one desires something more than life itself - and God can give the answer. Then it is time to fast and pray. God will answer.

If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 AMP

Pastor Winston

Fasting Is Important

We know that fasting has a significant place in the life of a Christian. When one desires something more than life itself - and God can give the answer. Then it is time to fast and pray. God will answer.

If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 AMP

Pastor Winston

Fasting and Prayer

There is a danger, in fasting merely for the sake of fasting. This could result in false pride. Our Lord once severely censured such fasting. The Pharisees involved were fasting to be seen of men. They were not seeking the favor of God but the approval of men.

16 Moreover when ye fast , be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast . Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; 18 That thou appear not unto men to fast , but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. Matthew 6:16-18 KJV

Pastor Winston

Fasting and Prayer

The Principle of Fasting is well known. At the football training table the players abstain from sweets in order to be better able to win the game. The athlete knows well that certain fasting helps him to run. The swimmer fasts before the swim, the orator before his speech, the preacher before his sermon.

When one is absorbed in either grief or love there are many times that he refrains from eating. The principle is related. We turn from other things to give ourselves more completely to one thing. We fast to cleanse our bodies, we fast to reduce our weight. We fast to improve our physical health.

In fasting and prayer, prayer is preeminent.

Pastor Winston

Fasting and Prayer

Let’s be clear in our thoughts. There’s no value before God in the mere abstinence from food. The value stems from the ability to put God first by the laying aside of other things. Fasting is an indication of the earnestness of the soul. It is honestly and sincerely, sometimes desperately, reaching out for God and His will. Fasting indicates that there’s something we want either in ourselves or for God so greatly that we want to put everything aside until we attain it. Fasting is the complete emptying of everything in order that God may fill us.

Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for a man to humble himself? Is it only for bowing one's head like a reed and for lying on sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord? 6 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter — when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? 8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Isaiah 58:5-8 NIV

Pastor Winston

Fasting and Prayer

There is a danger, in fasting merely for the sake of fasting. This could result in false pride. Our Lord once severely censured such fasting. The Pharisees involved were fasting to be seen of men. They were not seeking the favor of God but the approval of men.

16 Moreover when ye fast , be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast . Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; 18 That thou appear not unto men to fast , but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. Matthew 6:16-18 KJV

Pastor Winston

Fasting and Prayer

We must confess that in today’s world fasting is little known and seldom practiced. Yet in the scriptures there was much fasting with desirable results. Moses fasted forty days on Sinai. Joshua, David, Ezra, Daniel, Nehemiah fasted. Our Lord fasted in the wilderness. Cornelius was fasting when God sent the angel. The church at Antioch fasted when the Holy Spirit called Barnabas and Saul.

When fasting is mentioned in the Bible the results are always commendable.

2 Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, "A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Sea. It is already in Hazazon Tamar" (that is, En Gedi). 3 Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. 4 The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him. 2 Chronicles 20:2-4 NIV

21 There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast , so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions. Ezra 8:21 NIV

Pastor Winston

Fasting and Prayer

What is the relationship of fasting to prayer? Is prayer made more acceptable to God if we fast? Is there virtue to fasting if we do not pray? What is the spiritual significance?

We will be looking at these questions over the next several days.

Isaiah 58:1-9 NKJV

Pastor Winston

Prayer is Union With Our Father's Heart

Prayer still includes more than we have already said. It is union with the Father’s heart. Sometimes it’s just entering His presence to touch His hand. Sometimes to lay one’s tired head on God’s breast. Again to just look into God’s face.

For in prayer we’re in the green pastures and beside the still waters. Our soul is restored.

Love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. Proverbs 8:17 NIV

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah29:13 NIV

Pastor Winston

God is Worthy of Praise

Prayer is worship. The more one comes into the knowledge of the person of God, the more one feels impelled to lift his soul in flowing praise. Even if it were true that God had done nothing for us, if He had not provided us with everything that we need physically and, for more than that, spiritually – still He would be worthy of our heartfelt praise.

For God is exceedingly great in wisdom, in power, in holiness, in righteousness, in purity, in love, in everything. And His attributes as such call forth from our hearts shouts of sincere praise and worship.

"I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise ..." 2 Sam 22:44 NIV

"For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise ..." Ps 96:4 NIV

Pastor Winston

Prayer is Communion

10/13
Prayers are really more than just asking. Prayer is communion. The born-again Christian is more than a creature to God. He is now His son. And, as a son through Christ, he is greatly beloved. He may enter his Father’s presence just to fellowship.

Many of God’s choicest saints have spent hours in prayer and never asked a thing. This is normal of the new nature of the Christian is the nature of God. And this new nature finds its satisfaction only in the friendship of God.

"After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray" Matt 14:2323 NIV

"After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray" Mark 6:46 NIV

"One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray , and spent the night praying to God." Luke 6:12
NIV

"About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray" Luke 9:28 NIV

Pastor Winston

Ask Largely of God

What about prayers of petition? Well, we are needy creatures and God has ordained that out needs shall be supplied from His benevolent hand. We should not be afraid to ask and ask largely. To ask largely of God is to honor Him. He is abundantly able to give and willing too. Giving does not impoverish Him, nor does withholding make Him rich. The prayer of petition should never be reckoned on an earthly basis. We should ask according to the riches of heaven.

For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11 KJV

Matthew 7:9-11 NKJV1

Pastor Winston

Prayer For Healing Part 3

But that does not mean that healing will always manifest in the time or way we expect it. God’s touch of healing is always according to God’s will and your faith in his ability to change your circumstance. Sometimes it is His will to heal but we are not in developed in our faith to appropriate that healing in our lives.

The application of the Word of God to sickness or disease brings a change to those circumstances. It is important for us to apply the Word before we come to a place of crisis. Confess God’s word over your life before you need to and there will be a great sense of divine presence in the state of your health.

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in every way and [that your body] may keep well, even as [I know] your soul keeps well and prospers. 3 John 2 AMP

Pastor Winston

Prayer For Healing Part 2

Both the Old Testament and the New are filled with instances of God’s concern about our bodies, and His willingness to restore health and alleviate pain. One of the beautiful marks of both our Lord’s deity and compassion was His healing ministry.

The age in which we live is no different either God’s power to heal is still available today and God’s compassion is still present.

26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee. Exodus 15:26 KJV

Pastor Winston

Prayer For Healing Part 1

Is our God able to touch these bodies of ours when sickness or accident comes? The question is absurd of course. God is able to do anything. It is God who made our wonderful bodies in the beginning and it is God who has demonstrated time without number His ability to make and keep us well.

For with God nothing is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment. Luke 1:37 AMP

Pastor Winston

Hindrance To An Effective Prayer Life 4

But hindrances may be overcome, and foolish practices abandoned. Some of these are definitely sinful and as such must be dealt with after God’s commandment. If we confess these and turn from them, God will both forgive and cleanse and our prayer line will again be clear.

Other hindrances wait the action of a definite resolve . For all that’s right, and for a Christian life that’s successful may we determine that nothing will be tolerated in our Christian life which will interfere.

“… The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]. James 5:16 AMP

Pastor Winston

Hindrance To An Effective Prayer Life 3

We must not ignore the ministry of the Holy Spirit in our prayers. One of the most tender and intimate relationships of the Christian life ought to be that between the believer and his heavenly heart-Guest.

Among His wonderful ministries to Christians is the help He give to our prayer life. It is His task to make our prayers answerable. How exceedingly foolish to bypass Him. To do so is to make our prayer life barren and unfruitful.

26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. Romans 8:26-27 NIV

Pastor Winston

Hindrance To An Effective Prayer Life 2

Another hindrance which is altogether too common is worldliness or carnality. The Christian world is filled with believers who give their time and energy to fleshly pursuits and worldly pleasures so that there is little time for the performance of true prayer.

A genuine prayer life and worldliness are opposite.

Set your affection on things above , not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. Colossians 3:2-3 KJV

Pastor Winston

Hindrance To An Effective Prayer Life 1

Harmony in the home is tied into the answer to our prayers. When two of God’s children unite in marriage God views them as one flesh. God expects them to think together, act together, and pray together. When there is disharmony in the home or lack of agreement and consequent bickering the prayer life of the home is sadly interrupted.

God, in this case, cannot answer prayer, but must in love bring forces to bear which will restore peace to heart and home.

For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work . James 3:16 KJV

Pastor Winston