Session 5 - Why Prayer Mat ters November 6, 2011

Session Five

Why Prayer Matters

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone.
1 TIMOTHY 2:1

INTRODUCTION (5 MINUTES)
DVD Introduction by Jim Cymbala

Question to Think About

Why is it so important for us as well as for those for whom we pray that we continue to intercede for people even when we dont feel like it or when their situations seem to get worse the more we pray?

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DVD TEACHING SEGMENT #1 (7 MINUTES)

Notes
Intercessory prayer: a Christlike ministry

The heritage of intercessory prayer in the Scriptures

The power of intercessory prayer

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DVD PRAYER STORY (13 MINUTES)

GROUP EXPLORATION #1 (15 MINUTES)

Discussion
1. To what extent have you considered intercessory prayer to be a vital ministry of the church?
God is so wonderful because he doesnt just bring you home. When he brings you home, he uses you to bring others. Its awesome!
Vanessa Holland, from the video

In what ways has what you have seen today expanded and inspired your view of the ministry of prayer?

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2. As you consider Jims teaching and Vanessas story, why do you think intercessory prayer is so powerful and pleasing to God?

3. When believers commit to pray earnestly for other people, what can be the impact not only on those who are the recipients of their prayers but on those who pray, on the church, on others in the community?

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Bible Discovery
The early Christians not only believed in the power of (and need for) intercessory prayer they thrived on it. And when they prayed, God responded in amazing ways. Read the following passages and take note of the many needs for which the early Christians prayed.
Scripture Passage Acts 8:14 15

Praying for another person is like touching God with one hand and touching the person with the other. Thats what intercessory prayer is all about.
From the video

Prayers of intercession for:

Romans 15:31

Ephesians 1:17 19

Ephesians 3:16 19

Ephesians 6:19 20

2 Thessalonians 1:11

Philemon 6

Pray that I may be kept safe from the unbelievers in Judea and that the contribution I take to Jerusalem may be favorably received by the Lords people there Romans 15:31

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength Ephesians 1:17-19

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lords holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledgethat you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:16-19

Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. Ephesians 6:19,20

With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. 2 Thessalonians 1:11

I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. Philemon 6

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How important do you think intercession for these needs was in the life of the early church? How important is intercession for these (and similar) needs today?

What has been your experience in praying for needs such as these?

What do you think God will accomplish in your church if you take seriously the need for intercession in these areas? In what ways do you think your church will change as people exercise the privilege and responsibility of intercessory prayer?

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DVD TEACHING SEGMENT #2 (6 MINUTES)

Notes
Never give up on prayer

Overwhelmed by the battle but never without hope

Nothing is impossible with God

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GROUP EXPLORATION #2 (5 MINUTES)

God, who encourages and strengthens his people, often uses other believers to accomplish his purpose. . . . Not until heaven will we understand the greatness of those who prevailed in prayer for other believers.
Breakthrough Prayer, pp. 183,188

Discussion
1. When we pray according to our moods, its easy to give up on prayer when Gods answers seem slow in coming. If were committed to persevering, intercessory prayer, on what do we need to base our prayers so we can remain strong during the battle?

2. If you feel comfortable doing so, share things that have discouraged you in intercessory prayer.

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What did you do to fight against Satans discouragement?

What restored your faith and confidence in approaching God in prayer?

3. Jim shared a story that gives us a glimpse of the hope he has because he serves a God who never changes, who will never back down from his promises. In what ways does the faithful, unchangeable nature of Gods character influence your hope and how you pray?

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WRAP-UP (9 MINUTES)
Closing DVD Comments from Jim Cymbala

Personal Reflection
Ephesians 6:18 reminds us to pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. That is what Jim suggested you do at the end of his video presentation. So take time now to think about someone who needs intercessory prayer that the Lord may have brought to your attention during this session. Perhaps this person has a deep spiritual, physical, or emotional need. Or perhaps you just know, through the Holy Spirits guidance, that this person needs prayer. Take a few moments right now to pray quietly for the person the Lord has brought to your mind. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in intercession and perhaps bring to mind a scriptural promise to include in your prayer.

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Group Prayer
Briefly share with your group the person need other believers whom the Lord brought to your mind to strengthen and who needs prayer. Be sensitive to perencourage our faith. . . . sonal situations, however. You may need Each of us can at times to avoid mentioning a person by name help other believers or being too specific about a need that by strengthening and would identify someone inappropriately. encouraging their faith. Then lift up your hearts together, prayBreakthrough Prayer, ing for each person mentioned. Expect p. 181 to see great changes because you have come together to bring those needs to God who says, nothing is too hard for me.
All of us at times

PERSONAL JOURNEY: TO DO ON YOUR OWN

Interceding for others through prayer is a great privilege and responsibility. Time and time again, the Bible shows us the importance of intercessory prayer. Epaphras, for example, is described as always wrestling in prayer for you, Jesus said, Men ought that you may stand firm in all the will always to pray and not of God, mature and fully assured give up, and the reason (Colossians 4:12). he said dont give up is Although the work of intercessory because the answers prayer is often difficult, it is to be a key dont come on our part of every believers life. As is true timetable. The answers in all things, Jesus is both our teacher come when God decrees and example. He taught us how to they will come. persevere in prayer and often prayed From the video for others.

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Bible Discovery
1. What is Jesus doing for all believers his church right now, and what should this inspire us to do? (See Romans 8:34.)

2. During his ministry on earth, Jesus often prayed for other people. What do you learn from each of the following prayers of Jesus? What do they mean to you? What do they inspire you to do? a. For his murderers: Luke 23:32 34

b. For his disciples: John 17:6 19

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c. For all believers: John 17:20 26

d. For Simon Peter: Luke 22:31 32

My Personal Prayer Journal

God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times.
ROMANS 1:9 10

During the days and weeks ahead, continue to pray for people whom the Holy Spirit lays on your heart. Keep praying for them, no matter how bleak circumstances seem to be. Rely on Gods promises in his Word, and remember that he more than anyone else desires to respond to your faith and show himself powerful. Use the following pages to jot down any thoughts, ideas, or questions this session has generated. And continue to journal what God reveals to you through prayer and how he answers your prayers.