Sermon Title: The Purpose and Power of Corporate Prayer
Dearly Beloved,
Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
How many Christians prayed for an end to the World Wars and every war prior, and after?
How many Christians prayed for the Berlin Wall to come down?
In every act, event and system of tyranny and oppression, how many Christians got together and prayed in resistance to the onslaught of the devil’s darkness unleashed without restrain into the world?
By the Grace and Power of God, an immeasurable multitude of Christians; ever since the church devoted themselves to prayer from the very beginning - in fulfilling our glorious Call to participate with the Holy Spirit in His Gospel Work and to stand victoriously against the devil’s schemes.
For every assault on God’s Character, Love and standards of Righteousness, we have hope and power – in Christ - to overcome every manner of evil that rears up; in the certainty that every battle belongs to the Lord.
Scriptures clearly reveal that God – and His Truth – always prevail.
As His People, so will we.
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
“No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.” (Isaiah 54:17)
“Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.” (Zechariah 4:6)
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37)
“If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.” (1 Corinthians 3:17)
“And they have conquered him (the devil) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.” (Revelation 12:11)
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
Brethren, be very assured; the devil can never prevail against us.
In Christ, we have the victory!
Though evil – fueled by the wickedness of Man – persists unabated in the world, the Church must, and will, persevere in Christ’s Victory.
We must never believe that the return of our Lord Jesus Christ is triggered when the world has fallen into the darkest state of depravity and disrepair.
There is no evidence in the Bible that remotely suggests that the world will be overwhelmed in anarchy, chaos, depravity and godlessness before Christ returns; because the reality is that - such is, already the state of the world.
And yet, we remain strong, steadfast and victorious.
Evil will never have the final word.
Those who defy the Lord will have their day of reckoning.
Until such time, it remains for us – the Church – to pray, to love and to reach the lost; and at the same time, stand against the devil’s unrepressed ferocity in destroying all that is good.
Not only must we remain enduringly hopeful, we must be steadfast in believing, and daily live in the reality of Christ’s victory; and in the knowledge that our perseverance in His Victory will be rewarded when He returns.
From the beginning of Mankind, the devil is working unceasingly to condemn and drag souls with him into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10, 20:15, 21:8).
However, the praying Church - gathered in the Name of Jesus and empowered by the Holy Spirit - must stand resolutely and victoriously at the gates of hell against the forces of darkness. (Ref: Matthew 16:18, Ephesians 6:12)
To the Christian, corporate prayer changes our hearts and minds; and is both purposeful and powerful.
Purposeful – in that, corporate prayer brings the Christian to the posture of humility and repentance before God – through the change of heart from being worshippers of ‘self’ to being true worshippers of God - allowing us to be true partakers of His eternal Grace;
Powerful – in that, corporate prayer brings Christians collectively and collaboratively to the knowledge and participation is the Will and Work of God – through the change of mind from the worldly to the heavenly – established in the sacred task of inbreaking His Kingdom.
When Peter was unjustly imprisoned by Herod as part of his reprehensible persecution of the earliest church for political gains (Ref: Acts 12:1-4), the church must have felt helpless and hopeless.
However, what they did right was that while “Peter was kept in prison... the church was earnestly praying to God for him.” (Acts 12:5)
Evil may have won the day; but God had some plans for the night.
Through it all, “the church was earnestly praying to God for him.”
As they prayed, an angel of the Lord delivered Peter from the maximum security prison of that age right to “where many people had gathered and were praying.” (Acts 12:12)
Even when he appeared at the door where the prayer meeting was held, they couldn’t believe that he was free; they couldn’t believe that God had already won the victory.
If you were at that prayer meeting; if you were one of those who were praying for Peter, and then you actually saw him delivered to the doorsteps according to your prayers – how, or what would you feel?
Fundamentally, you ought feel really bad; because you would not have completely expected that God would answer your prayers.
Because as you prayed, you doubted.
How many times has this happened to you?
That you would pray for God’s miraculous intervention over an impossible situation; and yet doubted God at the same time?
Repent; don’t regret.
Do not regret those moments, repent before God for your doubts during the prayers of intercession.
Open your heart for the Holy Spirit to increase your faith in God who has already delivered; so that you would be established and restored to true and unshakable faith in God.
Isn’t God all-Powerful? Isn’t corporate prayer utterly necessary in aligning our minds to the Will and Work of God; and bringing us into His divine reality?
Isn’t it amazing that God would intervene on your prayer watch?
After doubting God and still, experiencing His Supreme Power over darkness, evil and injustice; what remains for you to do is to repent before Him; and then, resolve never to doubt Him again.
Resolve to increase your faith in Him; and then, remain resolute in Christ!
Seal the experience in your heart with a change of heart from relying on the flesh, to relying solely on the Spirit of God; and seal the experience in your mind with a change of mind from obsessing over a worldly reality, to becoming immensely passionate for the coming of His Eternal Kingdom.
In order to grow as a disciple of Christ, it is essential and necessary for every Christian to be intentionally involved in a prayer group – for repentance from doubt, and restoration of a deeper faith in Christ through corporate prayer remains key to being transformed into being true images of God and becoming citizens of His coming Kingdom.
So that the next time we are faced with impossible situations - armed with experience and resolve - we would know deep in our hearts that God indeed has the power to save; and that we may refrain from all doubts – all because we know that our divine purpose and power in Christ is to stand in victorious prayer against the gates of hell.
Everything happens to us so that we may glorify God.
On the day that the Apostle Peter escaped death, we observed the purpose and power of Corporate Prayer.
By praying in the Name of Jesus and partaking in His Presence together, the church witnessed Peter’s miraculous escape from prison, but also witnessed a deeper work of faith established in their collective hearts through the divine act of corporate prayer.
Corporate prayer not only resulted in the great work of Peter’s rescue, but resulted in the greater work of bringing them to repentance; of securing their faith utterly in God and setting their sights solely on the Kingdom of God – such is the purpose and power of Corporate Prayer.
For the Apostle Peter, he knew well that the church must be constantly in corporate prayer against the fiery forces of darkness.
“12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
13 But rejoice inasmuch as you are partakers in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed (Pastor’s Notes: As partakers of His glory) when his glory is revealed.
14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.” (1 Peter 4:12-14)
“3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may be partakers in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” (2 Peter 1:3-4)
It is commonly accepted that Peter was crucified upside-down in Rome – at his request; because he did not consider himself worthy to die in the same way as Christ.
By then, every believer in that earlier prayer meeting - praying for Peter’s release from Herod’s grasp - would have grown in their faith in the Lord, and in their reality to live faithfully only for Christ.
The Power of Corporate Prayer brings about the miracle of the change of heart and mind; and leads us to become PARTAKERS of His Eternal Grace; Christ’s Divine Nature; and His Suffering, in the reality that we are already partakers of His glory.
Today, commit to praying corporately; be partakers of His eternal grace.
Seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance in forming or joining a Disciple-Life Prayer Group; and undergo the necessary change of heart and mind required of every child of God; and living in His fullest assurance that – in Christ - you have been saved from death unto eternal life in His Kingdom.
All this: from a commitment to nurturing a habit and culture of praying together starting with 15 minutes a week.
Corporate Prayer leads to the great works of supernatural and extraordinary events that restrain evil in this world; but more importantly, it leads to the greater work of securing our faith in God and setting our sights on the Kingdom of God.
Let us truly become the church of Jesus Christ; let us commit to corporate prayer and in Christ’s Power and Victory, take our stand against the forces of evil.
Shalom.
Let us pray.
Our Father in Heaven,
Hallowed be Your Name.
Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done; on earth, as it is in heaven.
Holy Spirit, please energize and empower me in prayer – that I may join my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to pray against every act, event and system of tyranny and oppression.
Grant me courage, strength, wisdom and resolve to pray corporately – in One voice and as One body – in obedience to Your command, to stand in resistance against the onslaught of the devil’s darkness unleashed in the world.
By Your Grace and Power, O God, raise up an army of Prayer Warriors – in fulfilment of our Call to participate with You in Gospel work; and to stand victoriously against the devil’s schemes.
Indeed, I will not fear, nor will I be dismayed – for You are with me!
You strengthen me; help me and uphold me with Your righteous right hand. (Ref: Isaiah 41:10)
For no weapon forged against us will prevail!
I believe that this is my heritage and Your vindication, O Lord – because I am Your servant. (Ref: Isaiah 54:17)
I declare that “in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37)
I am Your temple, Holy Spirit – thank You for Your promises of protection over me.
Daily guide me to conquer the devil “by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of my testimony” – loving not my life, even unto death. (Revelation 12:11)
Yes, Lord Jesus – You have overcome the world!
Help me to remain strong and steadfast; that I may persevere in Your Victory and prevail over the darkness in the world.
Help us, Your Church – to pray, love and reach the lost; and resolutely stand against the devil’s ferocity in destroying all that is good and sacred.
Forgive my doubt, O Lord; forgive me when I prayed for Your help and doubted You at the same time.
I repent of my wicked ways; and ask that Your Holy Spirit fill me with the Power of Supernatural, unchanging and unshakable faith in You.
Thank You for giving me hope to daily live in the reality of Your Victory and Kingdom; that I may utterly desire for Your Return and the inbreaking of Your Kingdom.
In Your Powerful Name, I stand – alongside my brothers and sisters in Christ – at the gates of hell against the forces of darkness in the knowledge that we will prevail!
But more importantly, that through corporate prayer – my heart will be transformed to that which belongs to a true worshiper of the living God; and my mind be set on the task at hand to preach the Gospel, inbreaking the Kingdom of God.
Against all evil, may we be the church earnestly praying to You for deliverance, O God!
May I be among the many people who will gather and pray unceasingly.
And may I be sealed in the reality that You, O God, have already secured the victory.
Help me grow deep as a disciple of Jesus Christ, and child of the One, True, Living God!
Thank You, Lord – for revealing to us that corporate prayer results in Your great work; and that corporate prayer secures my faith in You, and sets my sights ever more firmly on Your Coming Kingdom.
Lord, I commit this day to praying corporately through the Disciple Life Prayer Groups.
Lead me to a prayer group; or grant me the unction to form a 3 person prayer group that would meet once a week in order to nurture a habit and culture of praying together – that I may undergo the necessary and fundamental change of heart and mind required of every child of God.
May we truly become Your Church, Lord Jesus; and in be truly passionate in Your Power and Victory to take our stand against the forces of evil.
I thank You and pray all these in the Name of our King, Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Dearly Beloved,
Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
How many Christians prayed for an end to the World Wars and every war prior, and after?
How many Christians prayed for the Berlin Wall to come down?
In every act, event and system of tyranny and oppression, how many Christians got together and prayed in resistance to the onslaught of the devil’s darkness unleashed without restrain into the world?
By the Grace and Power of God, an immeasurable multitude of Christians; ever since the church devoted themselves to prayer from the very beginning - in fulfilling our glorious Call to participate with the Holy Spirit in His Gospel Work and to stand victoriously against the devil’s schemes.
For every assault on God’s Character, Love and standards of Righteousness, we have hope and power – in Christ - to overcome every manner of evil that rears up; in the certainty that every battle belongs to the Lord.
Scriptures clearly reveal that God – and His Truth – always prevail.
As His People, so will we.
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
“No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.” (Isaiah 54:17)
“Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.” (Zechariah 4:6)
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37)
“If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.” (1 Corinthians 3:17)
“And they have conquered him (the devil) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.” (Revelation 12:11)
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
Brethren, be very assured; the devil can never prevail against us.
In Christ, we have the victory!
Though evil – fueled by the wickedness of Man – persists unabated in the world, the Church must, and will, persevere in Christ’s Victory.
We must never believe that the return of our Lord Jesus Christ is triggered when the world has fallen into the darkest state of depravity and disrepair.
There is no evidence in the Bible that remotely suggests that the world will be overwhelmed in anarchy, chaos, depravity and godlessness before Christ returns; because the reality is that - such is, already the state of the world.
And yet, we remain strong, steadfast and victorious.
Evil will never have the final word.
Those who defy the Lord will have their day of reckoning.
Until such time, it remains for us – the Church – to pray, to love and to reach the lost; and at the same time, stand against the devil’s unrepressed ferocity in destroying all that is good.
Not only must we remain enduringly hopeful, we must be steadfast in believing, and daily live in the reality of Christ’s victory; and in the knowledge that our perseverance in His Victory will be rewarded when He returns.
From the beginning of Mankind, the devil is working unceasingly to condemn and drag souls with him into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10, 20:15, 21:8).
However, the praying Church - gathered in the Name of Jesus and empowered by the Holy Spirit - must stand resolutely and victoriously at the gates of hell against the forces of darkness. (Ref: Matthew 16:18, Ephesians 6:12)
To the Christian, corporate prayer changes our hearts and minds; and is both purposeful and powerful.
Purposeful – in that, corporate prayer brings the Christian to the posture of humility and repentance before God – through the change of heart from being worshippers of ‘self’ to being true worshippers of God - allowing us to be true partakers of His eternal Grace;
Powerful – in that, corporate prayer brings Christians collectively and collaboratively to the knowledge and participation is the Will and Work of God – through the change of mind from the worldly to the heavenly – established in the sacred task of inbreaking His Kingdom.
When Peter was unjustly imprisoned by Herod as part of his reprehensible persecution of the earliest church for political gains (Ref: Acts 12:1-4), the church must have felt helpless and hopeless.
However, what they did right was that while “Peter was kept in prison... the church was earnestly praying to God for him.” (Acts 12:5)
Evil may have won the day; but God had some plans for the night.
Through it all, “the church was earnestly praying to God for him.”
As they prayed, an angel of the Lord delivered Peter from the maximum security prison of that age right to “where many people had gathered and were praying.” (Acts 12:12)
Even when he appeared at the door where the prayer meeting was held, they couldn’t believe that he was free; they couldn’t believe that God had already won the victory.
If you were at that prayer meeting; if you were one of those who were praying for Peter, and then you actually saw him delivered to the doorsteps according to your prayers – how, or what would you feel?
Fundamentally, you ought feel really bad; because you would not have completely expected that God would answer your prayers.
Because as you prayed, you doubted.
How many times has this happened to you?
That you would pray for God’s miraculous intervention over an impossible situation; and yet doubted God at the same time?
Repent; don’t regret.
Do not regret those moments, repent before God for your doubts during the prayers of intercession.
Open your heart for the Holy Spirit to increase your faith in God who has already delivered; so that you would be established and restored to true and unshakable faith in God.
Isn’t God all-Powerful? Isn’t corporate prayer utterly necessary in aligning our minds to the Will and Work of God; and bringing us into His divine reality?
Isn’t it amazing that God would intervene on your prayer watch?
After doubting God and still, experiencing His Supreme Power over darkness, evil and injustice; what remains for you to do is to repent before Him; and then, resolve never to doubt Him again.
Resolve to increase your faith in Him; and then, remain resolute in Christ!
Seal the experience in your heart with a change of heart from relying on the flesh, to relying solely on the Spirit of God; and seal the experience in your mind with a change of mind from obsessing over a worldly reality, to becoming immensely passionate for the coming of His Eternal Kingdom.
In order to grow as a disciple of Christ, it is essential and necessary for every Christian to be intentionally involved in a prayer group – for repentance from doubt, and restoration of a deeper faith in Christ through corporate prayer remains key to being transformed into being true images of God and becoming citizens of His coming Kingdom.
So that the next time we are faced with impossible situations - armed with experience and resolve - we would know deep in our hearts that God indeed has the power to save; and that we may refrain from all doubts – all because we know that our divine purpose and power in Christ is to stand in victorious prayer against the gates of hell.
Everything happens to us so that we may glorify God.
On the day that the Apostle Peter escaped death, we observed the purpose and power of Corporate Prayer.
By praying in the Name of Jesus and partaking in His Presence together, the church witnessed Peter’s miraculous escape from prison, but also witnessed a deeper work of faith established in their collective hearts through the divine act of corporate prayer.
Corporate prayer not only resulted in the great work of Peter’s rescue, but resulted in the greater work of bringing them to repentance; of securing their faith utterly in God and setting their sights solely on the Kingdom of God – such is the purpose and power of Corporate Prayer.
For the Apostle Peter, he knew well that the church must be constantly in corporate prayer against the fiery forces of darkness.
“12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
13 But rejoice inasmuch as you are partakers in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed (Pastor’s Notes: As partakers of His glory) when his glory is revealed.
14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.” (1 Peter 4:12-14)
“3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may be partakers in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” (2 Peter 1:3-4)
It is commonly accepted that Peter was crucified upside-down in Rome – at his request; because he did not consider himself worthy to die in the same way as Christ.
By then, every believer in that earlier prayer meeting - praying for Peter’s release from Herod’s grasp - would have grown in their faith in the Lord, and in their reality to live faithfully only for Christ.
The Power of Corporate Prayer brings about the miracle of the change of heart and mind; and leads us to become PARTAKERS of His Eternal Grace; Christ’s Divine Nature; and His Suffering, in the reality that we are already partakers of His glory.
Today, commit to praying corporately; be partakers of His eternal grace.
Seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance in forming or joining a Disciple-Life Prayer Group; and undergo the necessary change of heart and mind required of every child of God; and living in His fullest assurance that – in Christ - you have been saved from death unto eternal life in His Kingdom.
All this: from a commitment to nurturing a habit and culture of praying together starting with 15 minutes a week.
Corporate Prayer leads to the great works of supernatural and extraordinary events that restrain evil in this world; but more importantly, it leads to the greater work of securing our faith in God and setting our sights on the Kingdom of God.
Let us truly become the church of Jesus Christ; let us commit to corporate prayer and in Christ’s Power and Victory, take our stand against the forces of evil.
Shalom.
Let us pray.
Our Father in Heaven,
Hallowed be Your Name.
Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done; on earth, as it is in heaven.
Holy Spirit, please energize and empower me in prayer – that I may join my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to pray against every act, event and system of tyranny and oppression.
Grant me courage, strength, wisdom and resolve to pray corporately – in One voice and as One body – in obedience to Your command, to stand in resistance against the onslaught of the devil’s darkness unleashed in the world.
By Your Grace and Power, O God, raise up an army of Prayer Warriors – in fulfilment of our Call to participate with You in Gospel work; and to stand victoriously against the devil’s schemes.
Indeed, I will not fear, nor will I be dismayed – for You are with me!
You strengthen me; help me and uphold me with Your righteous right hand. (Ref: Isaiah 41:10)
For no weapon forged against us will prevail!
I believe that this is my heritage and Your vindication, O Lord – because I am Your servant. (Ref: Isaiah 54:17)
I declare that “in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37)
I am Your temple, Holy Spirit – thank You for Your promises of protection over me.
Daily guide me to conquer the devil “by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of my testimony” – loving not my life, even unto death. (Revelation 12:11)
Yes, Lord Jesus – You have overcome the world!
Help me to remain strong and steadfast; that I may persevere in Your Victory and prevail over the darkness in the world.
Help us, Your Church – to pray, love and reach the lost; and resolutely stand against the devil’s ferocity in destroying all that is good and sacred.
Forgive my doubt, O Lord; forgive me when I prayed for Your help and doubted You at the same time.
I repent of my wicked ways; and ask that Your Holy Spirit fill me with the Power of Supernatural, unchanging and unshakable faith in You.
Thank You for giving me hope to daily live in the reality of Your Victory and Kingdom; that I may utterly desire for Your Return and the inbreaking of Your Kingdom.
In Your Powerful Name, I stand – alongside my brothers and sisters in Christ – at the gates of hell against the forces of darkness in the knowledge that we will prevail!
But more importantly, that through corporate prayer – my heart will be transformed to that which belongs to a true worshiper of the living God; and my mind be set on the task at hand to preach the Gospel, inbreaking the Kingdom of God.
Against all evil, may we be the church earnestly praying to You for deliverance, O God!
May I be among the many people who will gather and pray unceasingly.
And may I be sealed in the reality that You, O God, have already secured the victory.
Help me grow deep as a disciple of Jesus Christ, and child of the One, True, Living God!
Thank You, Lord – for revealing to us that corporate prayer results in Your great work; and that corporate prayer secures my faith in You, and sets my sights ever more firmly on Your Coming Kingdom.
Lord, I commit this day to praying corporately through the Disciple Life Prayer Groups.
Lead me to a prayer group; or grant me the unction to form a 3 person prayer group that would meet once a week in order to nurture a habit and culture of praying together – that I may undergo the necessary and fundamental change of heart and mind required of every child of God.
May we truly become Your Church, Lord Jesus; and in be truly passionate in Your Power and Victory to take our stand against the forces of evil.
I thank You and pray all these in the Name of our King, Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.