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Acts 1:14
14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

The Early Church was founded on PRAYER

If we want to experience the same output as the Book of Acts Church, then we must exert the same input as the Book of Acts Church. I believe the reason the Apostles and the other 108 souls received the initial outpouring of the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost was 1) it was a “promise”, and 2) they understood what Jesus meant when He said “tarry”.

I will stand on this statement: Our most powerful prayers are connected to the promises of God. When you know you are praying in harmony with the promises of God, you can pray with Holy Boldness. It’s like the difference between standing on “thin ice” and “solid ground”. You don’t have to second guess yourself, because you know that God wants you to stand on His promises.

2 Peter 1:4
4 whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Promise: I will never leave you, nor forsake you.

Hebrews 13:5-6
5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear What man shall do unto me.

Promise: You shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 2:38-39
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children […]

Promise: I will pour you out a blessing that there would not be room enough to receive it.

Malachi 3:10
10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive

There are many more, maybe we will do a specific study on the promises in the Word later. Better yet, you should search out the scriptures yourself and find the promise(s) that fit your specific need and use those Verses during your prayer time. Stand in agreement with the Promises of God’s Word, because they stand forever.

Isaiah 40:8
8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

The 120 were ready to connect their specific promise with prayer, because, specifically, they were "taught" how to pray and were led by example.

Luke 11:1
1 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.

As you read through the Gospels, you'll find references where Jesus was recorded praying. He is shown to have prayed:

  • Alone [Matthew 14:23; Mark 1:35; Luke 9:18; Luke 22:39-41]
  • In public [John 11:41-42; John 12:27-28]
  • Before meals [Matthew 26:26; Mark 8:6; Luke 24:30; John 6:11]
  • Before important decisions [Luke 6:12-13]
  • Before healing [Mark 7:34-35]
  • After healing [Luke 5:16]
  • To do the Father’s will [Matthew 26:36-44]

And you’ll find in Matthew 6 the great example of Jesus teaching on the importance of prayer. A passage known as the Lord’s Prayer. But take special note of the verses preceding the Lord’s Prayer. Three times Jesus says, “when you pray.” [Matthew 6:5-7]

There is nothing mystical about prayer. You don’t have to have the right name or title to pray, nor do you have to hold a specific position in the Church. The question is simple, “do you know how to pray?” Have you been taught? Has someone led by example in your life?

The easiest way I have found to pray consistently is to follow a model. This keeps me on track and focused. Otherwise, I find myself planning out the day, thinking about problems I had yesterday or worrying about problems coming up. All the things that Satan wants to place in your mind to keep you from praying.

So, I want to go over some prayer models. I challenged you last week to get a “prayer journal”. I hope you did, if not I challenge you again. Nothing fancy, just something that you can write in. I promise you it will help.

Prayer Model: Praise, Repent, Ask, Yes

One model I have really enjoyed using of late is the P-R-A-Y model. It’s simple, catchy, and easy to remember.

P-Begin your prayer by praising God. This is not you buttering up God or trying to get brownie points. Simply stop and from your heart- PRAISE Him.

R- After a time of praise shift your focus inward and have a time of repentance. We should always allow a space of time for God to speak to us about our heart and mind, and to give us a chance to align our heart and mind to His.

A- Once we've praised God for who He is and what He is capable of, and we've taken the time to truly “lay ourselves on the altar” [Genesis 22:9], we are in a position to come before Him with our petitions. But don't be surprised if what you thought you were going to ask for has now changed. Why? Because we are seeking the mind of Christ and sometimes our mind isn't the same as His mind. But this is what prayer is all about. “Getting the mind of Christ” [1 Corinthians 2:16]

Y- As you go through your time of PRAISE, REPENTANCE, and ASKING, make notes of scripture that comes to mind. Take time to search them out and write them down. This is God's way of speaking to You through His Word.

Suggestions/Action Items

Get a prayer journal. Something that you can sit down with and write in daily.

Commit. Find a time that works for you and give yourself to prayer.

Simply begin with this: Have you identified your Red Sea? Pray about it but this time: Praise, Repent, Ask, Yes – PRAY about it!

Footnote: Prayer Model Adapted from Fervent: A Woman's Battle Plan to Serious, Specific and Strategic Prayer, Priscilla Shirer