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  PRAYERLESS CHURCHES IN AMERICA
  by Richard Owen Roberts
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Summary: This sermon emphasizes the crucial role of prayer in the
church, highlighting the responsibility of pastors to lead by example in
fostering a culture of prayer. It challenges pastors to prioritize
prayer in their own lives and within their congregations, warning of the
consequences of neglecting this vital aspect of faith.

Topics: "The Power of Prayer", "Leadership in Faith"
Scripture References: Matthew 21:13, Luke 19:46, 1 Thessalonians 5:17, James 5:16, Ephesians 6:18

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DESCRIPTION
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This sermon emphasizes the crucial role of prayer in the church,
highlighting the responsibility of pastors to lead by example in
fostering a culture of prayer. It challenges pastors to prioritize
prayer in their own lives and within their congregations, warning of the
consequences of neglecting this vital aspect of faith.

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CONTENT
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Well, the simple truth is that if we're content with a non-praying
church, that's what we'll have. And the average pastor that I've
confronted on the issue of the prayer life of his church makes it
perfectly clear that by the way he looks at it, well, these just aren't
a praying people. And he feels justified in serving the congregation
because they don't have sufficient desire to become a praying people.

But that's a pretty shoddy excuse. If a pastor is truly the leader of
the church, he's got to set the pattern. And a non-praying pastor pretty
well guarantees a non-praying church.

And when a pastor sets his heart to be a man of prayer himself, and then
he sees the urgent necessity of a praying church, then he will be led by
the Holy Spirit in whatever way is appropriate to that church to turn it
into a praying church. So I have often asked men just plainly, are you
willing to pastor a prayerless church? Well, most have never been
confronted with that question and haven't had to wrestle with it. But if
they'll look at it honestly, they'll have to admit the situation is what
it is because they're content with things that way.

So I have often said to people, if you will set your heart to pastor
only a praying church, then one of two things will happen. Either you
will pastor a praying church or they will put you out. And what could be
more wonderful than to be put out of a church that refuses to be a house
of prayer? I don't think pastors are always honest with themselves.

And this is obviously what we're speaking of, being absolutely honest.
Christ made it clear that the house of prayer was God's intent for his
people. In the cleansing of the temple on those two occasions recorded
in the Gospels, we know perfectly well what happened.

Christ drove the merchants, the money changers, out one door. They came
in another. Twice.

Same basic effect. He makes it clear on those occasions, my Father's
house is a house of prayer. But when that change does not take place, he
in time mounts the hill overlooking the temple site and he says, your
house is left unto you desolate.

And what a tragedy to spend your life in a ministry where God has
already made it clear he's never going to come. And when one thinks
seriously about that incident, what year was it that Christ spoke those
words? Well, obviously we don't know exactly. But just for ease in
thinking, let's say it was 33.

And we know that Christ had said that the day would come when there
would not be one stone left standing upon another. And when was that
prophecy fulfilled? Well, that we do know exactly. That was the year 70.

But there they are pretending to be the temple of the living God and God
has made it clear, it's your house, not mine. So for 37 years, he's not
there. And is there a pastor anywhere that can afford to throw away 37
years of his life?

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Video: https://sermonindex2.b-cdn.net/WfhdtSHW5WI.mp4
Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/richard-owen-roberts/prayerless-churches-in-america/
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