Unfortunately, the recording was corrupted. We may re-record a version of it later. For now, the outline is below.

Elements of Worship: Prayer

Acts 2:42

Introduction.

  1. Justin Martyr’s First Apology written in 2nd Century.

    1. Marcus Aurelius was facing an overwhelming army—four Roman battalions (~21k men) vs. nearly 1e6 Germanic soldiers.

    2. He prayed to pagan gods, but felt they didn’t like him.

    3. He summoned Christians among his soldiers to pray to their God for blessing.

    4. Marcus Aurelius was victorious.

  2. We do not know for certain if the Lord helped them to win.

    1. Not always certain an outcome is the result of prayer.

    2. Tennyson: “More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of.”

    3. Conversions? Tragedies averted? Guidance for family and friends? Change lives?

  3. Worship discussion incomplete without prayer—individual and corporate.

Body.

  1. Reasons for Prayer.

    1. Many individuals in Scripture prayed.

      1. Elijah (James 5:17).

      2. Daniel—faced the lions’ den to pray (Dan. 6:10).

      3. Jesus (Luke 5:16; 6:12).

      4. Paul (Rom 10:1; Phil 1:4).

    2. Prayer was part of worship of early church (Acts 2:42).

    3. Church prayed while James and Peter were in prison (Acts 12).

    4. Church is antitype of OT temple.

      1. Jesus cleansed the temple of moneychangers (Matt 21).

      2. Temple was a house of prayer.

      3. Church built on prayers of its people.

    5. More than that, it brings the peace of God (Phil 4:6-7).

      1. This peace surpasses all understanding.

      2. It also guards your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

      3. It brings a clarity and a purpose if we’re doing it right.

  2. Abuses of Prayer.

    1. Jesus condemns the long prayers of the scribes (Luke 20:46-47).

      1. Let us not be hypocritical in our prayers as they were.

      2. At the same time, prayers do not need to be long and significant.

      3. Colonial Americans often thought they should be an hour long.

      4. We have no command for how long our prayers ought to be.

      5. Scribes did it for show and were condemned.

    2. Jesus condemned making a show of prayer (Matt 6:5-6).

      1. Pharisees and Sadducees offered public, showy prayers.

      2. Instead, praying alone is praised.

    3. Jesus condemned praying in a ritualistic formula (Matt 6:7).

      1. Pharisees prayed with vain repetitions.

      2. Sometimes our speech falls into a repetitive rut—say the same things all the time.

      3. This sometimes spills into our communication with our Lord.

    4. We are to pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17).

      1. This does not imply super long, ritualistic prayers.

      2. This can, however, result in repetitive prayers.

      3. We must be careful not to let them be vain repetitions.

    5. Prayer is not a time for:

      1. Oration.

      2. Display of piety.

      3. Putting our minds into neutral.

    6. Prayer is time for:

      1. Great sincerity, pouring out our hearts to Him.

      2. Thinking about God and our dependence upon Him.

      3. Bringing our needs to God.

      4. Great meaning for the one publicly praying as well as the rest of us.

    7. Prayer is central/vital/lofty/noble—an expression of that which is finer and richer within us.

  2. Content of Prayer.

    1. Should pray for God’s people.

      1. Samuel kept praying for God’s sinful people (1 Sam 12:23).

      1. Paul constantly prayed for God’s people in every congregation.

      2. God’s people need prayers!

      3. Jacob Creath, Jr – a preacher in Missouri during the Restoration and Civil War.

        1. He was known for praying earnestly.

        2. Early in the morning, he went into the woods to pray for his town.

        3. He prayed they would be spared the ravages of war.

        4. A Union officer overheard him and he did not attack the town: “I don’t want to attack the town of a man who prays as earnestly as that man has been praying tonight.”

    2. Should pray for ourselves (Acts 8:22).

      1. May seem selfish, but Peter told Simon the sorcerer to do this when he sinned.

      2. We need to pray for our sins to be forgiven and be stronger spiritually.

    3. Should pray for our country (1 Tim. 2:1-2).

      1. Early Christians were to pray for leaders: Emperors, Senators, Governors.

      2. May not agree with government, but ought to pray for them.

      3. Many problems in this country and the world, and our prayers are desperately needed.

    4. Two mothers, two sons sent to war.

      1. Both mothers are faithful and pray earnestly for their sons safety.

      2. One son returns, the other does not.

      3. Can one say God answered one mother’s prayer, but not the other?

      4. Must trust in God—He knows what’s best.

    5. Prayers benefit you, your country, and the church.

Conclusion.

  1. Those who pray hardest are often the hardest workers in the church.

    1. Hypocritical to pray for a poor man without doing what we can to help him (1 John 3:17).

    2. Hypocritical for us to pray for mission work without trying to help mission work.

  2. Pray for elders, and do what we can to help them and our Lord.

  3. Let us not pray for one thing and practice something else.

  4. Prayer helps us immeasurably—it is a great advantage to the Christian and a blessing one has as a child of God.