Sermons

In a busy life, have we got the time to pray?

SUNDAY 17th March 2009 - Andy Jarvis

The key to defeating fortified cities in Bible times was not just military muscle, but the element of surprise or the siege, cutting off their food and water supplies.
It is claimed that Islam is carrying out a strategy to world domination. It is not a military strategy, but a biological one. Muslim populations across Europe are increasing much more quickly than the traditional populations of each country. This is not a matter of religious conversion, but of birth rate. In France the average non-muslim family has 1.6 children. The average Muslim family has 8.1. If present trends continue, France could be an Islamic state by 2039.

We are in a spiritual battle and the enemy is looking to cut off our food and water supplies.

Have we got time to pray? Why should we pray?
1. Prayer is a vital conversation with God affecting our relationship with Him.
2. Scripture teaches us to pray.
Jesus prayed Mark 1:35, Gethsemane, John 17
He taught His disciples to pray Matt 5:9-13
He expected them to pray Matt 5:6 When you pray...
When Jesus ascended to heaven, the first thing His disciples did was pray Acts 1:14. They devoted themselves to it.
When they were opposed they prayed. Acts 4:23-31
Prayer was part of everything they did.
Paul taught the new churches to pray 'Pray continually' 1Thess 5:17 'In everything by prayer...' Phil 4:6ff
and Jesus teaches us to be persistent...
Luke 11:5-13 The Midnight Caller... How much more..?
Luke 18:1-6 The Unjust Judge and the Persistent Widow 'and will not God..?'

Killing Christian leaders didn't stop the gospel.
Scattering Christians didn't stop the gospel.
How would you stop the spread?
CUT OFF ITS SUPPLIES!

How is that happening?
We are under attack that God is not there and therefore praying is a waste of time.
We are under attack that answers are blocked and so we lose heart, so that prayer seems unfruitful.
We are being convinced that it is hard work, that it is boring.
AND THE TACTIC IS WORKING.
Prayer meetings are least well attended meetings in the weekly programme.
WE'VE BEEN CONNED! AND I'VE ALLOWED IT!
This church is here because of God and prayer.
We've seen God do miracles in prayer.
God has led us in the right choices, through prayer.
God is bringing blessing now through prayer

Read 2 Chron 32:1-8 and Eph 6:10-18.
Can we afford the time to pray?
Can we afford not to?