DAY 7 OF 10 DAYS OF PRAYER 26'

Day 7 Of 10 Days Of Prayer — “But Prayer”

Tonight we will be have a corporate prayer meeting at the church at 7:00PM

I want to look at the power of corporate prayer from this prayer meeting in Acts 12:1-19

“What a man is on his knees before God, that he is, and nothing more.” R M McCheyne

“The man who mobilizes the Christian church to pray will make the greatest contribution to world evangelization in history.” Andrew Murray

Pray (merriam-webster) 
: to speak to God especially in order to give thanks or to ask for something
: to hope or wish very much for something to happen
: to seriously ask (someone) to do something

Pray:— 4336 proseúxomai (from 4314 /prós, "towards, exchange" and 2172/euxomai, "to wish, pray") – properly, to exchange wishes; pray – literally, to interact with the Lord by switching human wishes (ideas) for His wishes as He imparts faith ("divine persuasion”).

My Definition:
Prayer is constantly ABIDING in Him and ASKING for the things He reveals to come into manifestation with great ASSURANCE that it will come to pass because you have AUTHORITY in His Name to execute each of His ASSIGNMENTS.

Together creating an environment for God to move mightily upon people hearts and lives.
People need to encounter God!
We will be a people of the manifest presence of God!
Supernatural Happens When We Exercise Corporate Prayer.

Acts 12:1-19
The early church was growing and expanding. Powerful demonstrations of God were in abundance. The enemy wants to put an end to things before they get started. James is killed. Peter is kept in prison. They intend to kill him ... 

“Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.” Acts 12:5 

They engaged heaven which resulted in a miraculous deliverance. 

“Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands.” Acts 12:7

The doorway between adversity and victory is called, “but prayer.”

5 Observations 

1. Bad Stuff Happens To Good People
vs. 2,3 “he killed James…arrested Peter…”
None of us are immune form attacks and trials in this life. 

2. We Are Never Helpless
Psalm. 91:15 “He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honour him.”
We have a recourse in a time of trouble. 

3. We Have Responsibilities
vs. 5 “but constant prayer was offered by the church”
a. United -- the church
b. Passionate -- earnestly
c. Persistent -- continued
d. Directive -- for him
e. Courageous -- but

4. We Have A Rescuer 
Psalm 91:14 “The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name.”
Heaven is ready to act for us.

5. Our Enemies Will Be Destroyed
vs. 23 “…angel of the Lord smote him…”
Psm. 68:1-4 (NLT) “Rise up, O God, and scatter your enemies. Let those who hate God run for their lives. Blow them away like smoke. Melt them like wax in a fire. Let the wicked perish in the presence of God. But let the godly rejoice. Let them be glad in God’s presence. Let them be filled with joy. Sing praises to God and to his name! Sing loud praises to him who rides the clouds. His name is the Lord— rejoice in his presence!”

PRAYER DIRECTIVES:

Invite the Holy Spirit to lead us in a united time of prayer. Declare unity of heart and purpose.

Declare confidence in God’s presence in trouble. Thank Him in advance for deliverance.

Name people, families, leaders, situations, and needs
Pray intentionally, not generally. Speak breakthrough, release, healing, and freedom. Name people, families, leaders, situations, and needs … They specifically were praying for Peter and his release.

Declare chains breaking (fear, addiction, oppression, delay). Speak freedom over God’s people.
Command this to shift because you are authorized to do so.

Declare the defeat of spiritual opposition. Rejoice because we have what we have asked for.

Thank God for what He has already begun. Invite continued encounters with His presence.
Pray that testimonies will follow this night.

“We declare that the doorway between adversity and victory is “but prayer.”
We have prayed in the manifest presence of God.
And we will see heaven invade earth—in Jesus’ Name. Amen.”