SermonIndex Audio Sermons
SermonIndex - Promoting Revival to this Generation
Give To SermonIndex
Discussion Forum : Articles and Sermons : Why Revival Tarries (book reading) CHAPTER TWO

Print Thread (PDF)

Goto page ( Previous Page 1 | 2 )
PosterThread
Yodi
Member



Joined: 2004/4/23
Posts: 663
Escondido, California

 Re: Why Revival Tarries (book reading) CHAPTER TWO

[b]Is it true that "Satan has little case to fear most preaching"? Why or why not?[/b]
Well, honestly, I wouldn't know because I haven't personally gone and listened to a bunch of different preachers/pastors. But I will say, the kind of preaching Satan would have little cause to fear would be the kind that only comes from head knowledge and not a personal walk with God. The Bible says even the demons believe there's a God and tremble (did I quote that correctly?). As the previous chapter mentioned, effective preaching has to come from the heart, not the head.

[b]How does prayer change what effort and words cannot?[/b]
Well, it lets God do the work. Man can only accomplish so much in his own efforts. And only the Holy Spirit can change someone's heart.

[b]What percentage of your prayer is done privately?[/b]
Hmmm... about 95%. What I've been wondering is why we pray out loud in groups. It seems often times we're really praying to each other, and not God. I know there's an importance to it, but I forgot what it was. Does anyone have any Scriptures that talk about corporate prayer?

[b]FAVORITE QUOTES TO TAKE TO HEART[/b]
[i]"No man is greater than his prayer life... the people who are not praying are straying. The pulpit can be a shop window to display one's talents; the prayer closet allows no showing off...

The two prerequisites to successful Christian living are [u]vision[/u] and [u]passion[/u], both of which are born in and maintained by prayer... to be much for God, we must be much with God...

The secret of praying is praying in secret. A sinning man will stop praying, and a praying man will stop sinning."[/i]


_________________
Yolanda Fields

 2005/12/19 16:10Profile









 Re:

Quote:

Yodi wrote:
What I've been wondering is why we pray out loud in groups. It seems often times we're really praying to each other, and not God. I know there's an importance to it, but I forgot what it was. Does anyone have any Scriptures that talk about corporate prayer?



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


Quote:
“Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.” Acts 12:5


Quote:
“And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.” Acts 12:12


Quote:
“Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:18-20


Quote:
“When Peter was in prison, does the church organize a plan to get him released? No. When Peter is jailed, do the believers offer a plea to Herod or suggest a price to offer the lawmakers for his freedom? No. Peter had released others at the hour of prayer; now others must believe for his release.
Right through the book of Acts, when might be called The Acts of Prayer, we find prayer and more prayer. Dig into the book and discover this power that motivated the early church. In the twelfth chapter of Acts we find a group that prayed. Though a host encamped against Peter, in this were these believers confident: there was a God who could and would deliver. The one never-failing rescue operation was prayer.” Sodom had no Bible by Leonard Ravenhill, page 58.



Prayer is the heart of the New Testament Church. They didn’t just pray individually but as a group. Several examples in the area of revival come to mind where it was more than just one person praying. The Hebrides revival was started through the praying of two or three older ladies together on a regular basis. This spread to a larger group of men praying together. I can’t remember the preacher’s name but this testimony of prayer I have always remembered. One evening at special meetings God worked in a mighty way and later the preacher discovered that in the basement of the church 12 women were praying all through out the service. Bill McCleod gives testimony of the prayer meetings they had before revival came to Canada. I remember hearing that even the children had a prayer meeting all to themselves! The list goes on. Private prayer is important but so is corporate prayer.
I can give testimony to the great blessing of praying with other believers on a normal basis. It has helped me grow in my own walk with the Lord and helped to increase my faith. I have learned so much about prayer by praying with godly older women. If you are not praying with another Christian on a regular basis I highly encourage it. The example is found in the New Testament.

~~~
I have been really blessed reading Sodom had no Bible by Leonard Ravenhill. Chapter 7 has some really good things on prayer and are very applicable to our study.

 2005/12/19 21:33
Yodi
Member



Joined: 2004/4/23
Posts: 663
Escondido, California

 Re:

Thanks for the reply Roniya. Working at a church, I'm involved in group prayer every morning. But... it seems so rushed and like something we kind of... have to do. I could be wrong, but that's the way it feels. I have been to some group prayers that were very moving and you could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit. In that case, I can see why group prayer is vital and necessary.


_________________
Yolanda Fields

 2005/12/21 12:06Profile
crsschk
Member



Joined: 2003/6/11
Posts: 9192
Santa Clara, CA

 Re: Why Revival Tarries (book reading) CHAPTER TWO

A little late here, [url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=8691&forum=26#65951]Chapter 3 [/url] is already up but...

[i]4. Is it true that "Satan has little case to fear most preaching"? Why or why not?[/i]

Not sure if this got picked up on, but just prior to this question from within the chapter is an explanation:

[i]The ministry of preaching is open to few; the ministry of prayer - the highest ministry of all human offices - is open to all. Spiritual adolescents say, "I'll not go tonight, its only the prayer meeting." It may be that Satan has little cause to fear most preaching. Yet past experiences sting him to rally all his infernal army to fight against God's people praying.[/i]
~Ravenhill


Found parallels in [url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=8705&forum=34]E.M. Bounds ~ Successful Ministry[/url] which carry beyond even preaching, but ministries such as this here and in our own lives.

[i]5. How does prayer changes what effort and words and cannot?[/i]

Goodness, could go on endlessly but think all these replies here speak well to it. It is summed up in;

Rom 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

6. What percentage of your prayer is done privately?

All of it. It just seems to be a particular season that has found this one out of any solidified setting, short of here which is a great joy and privilege to be poured out into and a great deal of prayer is towards all that goes on, in and through this wonder of wonders. It is not and end of itself, a replacement, a this or that, none of these things.

Ravenhill is right; [i] prayer - the highest ministry of all human offices[/i]. Much time alone with God until it becomes the sweat and breath of everyday life, always, 'constantly' which seems to be what the soul returns to when the distractions of daily duty, chores, work and particular concentration is necessary, but can be by practice interrupted and carried through out even if somewhat subconsciously. Verbally, it will come and hopefully as is necessarily, seasonably and with the same earnestness that is done in the closet. Would add that it's not that it is all that rare to open up the vocal cords, often times it's in regular conversation that doesn't sound anything remotely like a "prayer" but is one behind the scenes so to speak; Praying through the mind while the voice is answering... Not sure if that makes adequate sense. One notice though I am sure we all have struggled with is in the 'sound' of our prayers verbally, publicly. The anticipation of your turn coming up say in a group or a bible study, you don't want to sound 'stupid', you are practicing what you are wanting to say and often in times past would feel my words pounding loudly in my head as I was praying out loud and then feeling somewhat chagrined over it all, because my concern was more towards that silly 'fear of men' mentality as much as it is recognized, still it happens.

It brings an interesting question; What is to be said to unverbalized "public" praying? Silence. At least for a time until all these natural proclivities abate before a word is spoken?

Recalling a past saint... In a nut shell it was a professor I believe (of theology) greatly admired by his students. They wanted to find out what his prayers were like, how profound the words would be and sneaked up close to his room and pressed their ears to the door and peered in through the keyhole. After a long while they heard him utter;

[i]"Gentle Jesus, meek and mild,
look upon a little child;
pity my simplicity,
suffer me to come to thee."[/i]


_________________
Mike Balog

 2005/12/22 10:12Profile
letsgetbusy
Member



Joined: 2004/9/28
Posts: 957
Cleveland, Georgia

 Re: Why Revival Tarries (book reading) CHAPTER TWO

4. Is it true that "Satan has little case to fear most preaching"? Why or why not?

Yes. Because your average preacher is most likely not a Christian. So how can his message put fear in Satan when it is not delievered from his foe. And many of the Christian pastors are so afraid of the reaction of church members or visitors that Satan doesn't even have to get out of bed.

5. How does prayer changes what effort and words and cannot?

Because God can easily do the impossible.

6. What percentage of your prayer is done privately?

The majority, but still not enough.


_________________
Hal Bachman

 2005/12/23 19:44Profile
roadsign
Member



Joined: 2005/5/2
Posts: 3777


 The need for closet prayer

Quote:
That was so true what you said about praying in public. But I think it is something we must overcome! Corporate prayer is vital for a fellowship of believers. But it must be a time of praying to God and like you said, not to man.



God certainly can change our faulty motives for public prayer.
I will never forget some years ago when our pastor was teaching us to pray scripture in our prayers. I was thrilled with this instruction. After all, I had memorized lots of verses. However, I discovered that at every prayer meeting, when I was praying, I could not think of ONE SINGLE VERSE. Finally, in frustration, during one prayer meeting, I asked God why that kept happening. He spoke very clearly, saying, "In front of others is not the place to show off how many verses you have memorized."

That was quite a shock to hear. But I had to admit, that I still wanted to "prove" my dedication to prayer and scripture in front of my religious peers. God was merely exposing my unconscious motives. He was drawing me to the closet - which has become almost my only "place" of prayer. Really it has been like an ongoing communication with God.

He has taught me that I don't need to publicize my prayer needs. He doesn't need numbers to be convinced. God has answered many of my closet prayers.

I think of Praying Hyde, Rees Howells, and many others who did a lot of praying all by themselves, and God answered in powerful ways.

Frankly, I think recuriting people, sending around signup sheets just to increase the numbers of pray-ers doesn't necessariy impress God. Just because corporate prayer is in scritpure, that doesn't mean it is our magic formula. It can't supercede total brokenness in the closet.

And when broken people get to gether to pray - wow!!! Then God hears, and the heavens are moved.
Diane


_________________
Diane

 2005/12/23 21:48Profile
roadsign
Member



Joined: 2005/5/2
Posts: 3777


 no threat to Satan's territory

4. Is it true that "Satan has little case to fear most preaching"? Why or why not

Yes, because preachers don't tread on his territory. They don't expose sin because doing so is too threatening. Perhaps they don't see the sin in themselves - false trusts, love of the world, nationalism, gluttony, greed, fear, worry etc.

They think that they are "addressing" sin when they "take a stand against" sins of the world: ex homosexuality, abortion, pornogrophy.

Diane


_________________
Diane

 2005/12/23 21:58Profile









 Re: The need for closet prayer

Quote:

roadsign wrote:
And when broken people get to gether to pray - wow!!! Then God hears, and the heavens are moved.
Diane



Isn't that the way corporate prayer should be??? Isn't it time our traditional pray-down-the-list and listen-to-me-pray prayer meetings change?

 2005/12/23 22:29





©2002-2024 SermonIndex.net
Promoting Revival to this Generation.
Privacy Policy