Always Keep on Praying (Ephesians 6:18-20)

by Pastor Cesar Crisostomo |  February 18, 2018
Always Keep on Praying
Ephesians 6:18-20
 
In this fallen world that we live in the will of God must be brought in by force, and only the disciples of Jesus Christ have the spiritual authority to do so. God has placed on our shoulders a great privilege and a great responsibility. To us He has given His personal assurance of answered prayer (Matthew 7:7; Mark 11:23-24; John 15:16; 16:23-24; 1 John 5:14-15). As disciples of Jesus, prayer must become a disciplined part of each of our lives. We are called to pray. There’s no getting around the fact that we have been given an enormous privilege in prayer and if we neglect it, we and others will suffer the consequences. Sure, God will have others pick up our assignment wherever possible. But it is a sad form of comfort to hope that someone else is doing my praying for me. Familia, God is calling us to embrace His challenge to take another step forward in our prayer life.
 
I believe God has chosen to accomplish His divine purpose in cooperation with the active participation of His people through prayer (1 Timothy 2:1-4; 2 Chronicles 7:14-15). Scripture overwhelmingly teaches that prayer makes a difference (Acts 4; 2 Kings 20:1-6; the example of Jesus - Mark 1:35; the teaching of Jesus - John 16:24). If we believe that prayer does make a difference, then why not embrace His challenge to take another step forward in our prayer life and participate in it.
 
We are facing in our nation and truly here in our home island of Guam a time of social and moral decay. I believe we are in a spiritual drought and the church as a whole is in danger of becoming a prayerless church. This is not to bring condemnation or bring guilt, for I have been too slow a learner myself. But I think God is inviting us and so I am inviting you, the whole church to a lifestyle of prayer and to come and pray with us at every opportunity we get as well as on our Thursday evening Prayer Circle. Let us come together as the people of God on our knees in humility and unity of heart, in repenting of our sins and declaring for God’s kingdom to come and for His will to be done.
 
Prayer for:
  • Laborers (Matthew 9:36-38).
  • Vision (Habakkuk 2:2).
  • Revival (souls saved, healed, delivered, lives transformed).
  • “An open door” (Colossians 4:3; Revelations 3:8).
  • Our island of Guam to be healed (2 Chronicles 7:14).
  • ___________________________________________.
 
What will happen when we pray?
  • God’s healing and power is released (James 5:16).
  • Strongholds are torn down (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).
  • Unbeliever’s eyes are opened unto salvation (2 Corinthians 4:4).
  • The heart of God is pleased (Proverbs 15:8).
  • We will see some disciples equipped and sent out (Acts 13:2).
  • We will grow in faith as we see Him answer our prayers in a mighty way.
  • We will learn to patiently persevere in prayer giving God time to answer our prayers.
  • We will see answers that are different from what we expected, and better.
 
Prayer is one of the most important activity Jesus’ disciples can engage in. The Bible is filled with stories of God moving in extraordinary ways in response to the prayers of His people (Genesis 4:13-15; Exodus 2:23-25; 3:7-10; Exodus 14:15-16; 17:8-14; Matthew 8:2-3; Acts 12). Jesus said the we should always pray and not lose heart, not give up (Luke 18:1). Therefore, prayer is something we should never avoid and never grow tired of doing. I believe that the more we pray, the more we will see the kingdom of God break through the darkness in our land and in situations where it seems to be impossible. May we as His church be awakened to prayer.
 
Growing Deeper in Relationship:
  1. Share how God answered one of your prayers. How long did you have to pray before you saw the answer?
  2. Is there someone or a situation for whom God has called you to be praying for?