Reviving the Power of Prevailing Prayer in the Church

In today's world, many churches have lost the essence of prayer, and this is a critical issue that needs addressing. The burden on my heart is to revive the spirit of prevailing prayer within the church. We are in a desperate situation, and the church must respond with urgency. The concert of prayer is a call to action, a response to the pressing issues in our world, nation, and church. We need to understand what's happening, why it's happening, and what God requires of us.

The church has historically been a place of power through prayer, but today, many congregations struggle to pray even for an hour. This lack of prayer is a significant part of our problem. We must become houses of prayer, drawing on God's grace, mercy, and the Holy Spirit's infilling. The excuses of not knowing how to pray or not having time must be set aside. We are here to set an example and encourage others to join in this vital practice.

The Old Testament provides a parallel to our current situation. Just as God dealt with Israel and Judah, He is dealing with us today. The scriptures from Genesis to Revelation are instructive and necessary for understanding God's ways and our response. We must glean from the Word of God, understand our ways and doings, and confess them before God.

The church must recognize the signs of the times and respond appropriately. We are witnessing judgments upon our nation due to our evil ways and doings. The church must call for a solemn assembly, as instructed in the Bible, to address these issues. We must move beyond generalities and speak in specifics, understanding the gravity of our situation.

The church's failure to act has led to a loss of power and voice. We must return to the basics of worshiping God, confessing our sins, and pleading with Him for mercy. The urgency of the hour demands that we pray like never before, with fervency and intentionality. We must understand that God is immutable, and His judgments are real. The church must rise to the occasion, recognizing the lateness of the hour and the need for a concerted effort in prayer.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The Urgency of Prayer: The church is in a desperate situation, and the lack of prayer is a significant issue. We must revive the spirit of prevailing prayer to draw on God's grace and mercy. This requires setting aside excuses and committing to becoming houses of prayer. [04:04]
• 2. Understanding Our Ways and Doings: The Old Testament provides a parallel to our current situation. We must understand our ways and doings, confess them before God, and seek His guidance. This understanding is crucial for addressing the pressing issues in our world. [09:32]
• 3. The Call for a Solemn Assembly: The church must recognize the signs of the times and respond appropriately. We must call for a solemn assembly, as instructed in the Bible, to address the judgments upon our nation due to our evil ways and doings. [22:47]
• 4. The Church's Role in Society: The church has lost its power and voice due to a failure to act. We must return to the basics of worshiping God, confessing our sins, and pleading with Him for mercy. The urgency of the hour demands a concerted effort in prayer. [35:41]
• 5. God's Immutable Nature: God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His judgments are real, and the church must rise to the occasion, recognizing the lateness of the hour and the need for a concerted effort in prayer. [46:29]
  ** [46:29]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:11] - The State of Prayer in Churches
• [00:46] - The Urgent Need for a Response
• [01:32] - The Missing Spirit of Prevailing Prayer
• [02:23] - Evil Rising in the Last Days
• [03:28] - The Reality of Prayer in Churches
• [04:49] - Understanding the Current Crisis
• [05:28] - Lessons from the Old Testament
• [06:27] - The Importance of Scripture and Prayer
• [07:29] - Nehemiah's Example of Prayer and Scripture
• [08:41] - The Call for a Concert of Prayer
• [09:21] - The Consequences of Our Ways and Doings
• [22:13] - Answering the Call to Action
• [35:41] - The Church's Role and Responsibility
• [46:29] - God's Immutable Nature and Judgments

1. Nehemiah 9:1-3 - This passage describes the solemn assembly where the Israelites gathered to confess their sins and read the Word of God for a quarter of the day, followed by prayer and confession for another quarter of the day.
2. Jeremiah 7:3-5 - This passage calls for the amendment of ways and doings, promising that God will allow the people to dwell in the land if they do so.
3. 2 Chronicles 7:14 - This verse emphasizes the importance of humility, prayer, seeking God's face, and turning from wicked ways for God to hear from heaven and heal the land.

1. What are some of the specific issues mentioned in the sermon that indicate the church's current lack of prayer? [00:11]
2. How does the sermon describe the historical role of prayer in the church, and what has changed in recent times? [01:32]
3. What parallels does the sermon draw between the current situation of the church and the Old Testament accounts of Israel and Judah? [05:28]
4. According to the sermon, what are the consequences of the church's failure to act in response to God's judgments? [35:41]

1. How does the example of Nehemiah's solemn assembly in Nehemiah 9:1-3 relate to the current call for a concert of prayer in the church? [07:29]
2. In what ways does Jeremiah 7:3-5 challenge the church to amend its ways and doings today? [09:21]
3. How does 2 Chronicles 7:14 provide a framework for the church's response to the current crisis, as discussed in the sermon? [22:47]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the role of specific confession and repentance in addressing the church's current situation? [23:12]

1. Reflect on your personal prayer life. Are there any excuses you have been using that prevent you from committing to regular prayer? How can you overcome these excuses? [04:14]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of understanding our ways and doings. What specific actions or attitudes in your life might need to be confessed and amended? [09:32]
3. How can you participate in or initiate a solemn assembly or concert of prayer in your church or community? What steps can you take to make this happen? [22:47]
4. The sermon mentions the church's loss of power and voice. In what ways can you contribute to restoring the church's influence in society through prayer and action? [35:41]
5. Consider the immutable nature of God as discussed in the sermon. How does this understanding impact your view of God's judgments and your response to them? [46:29]
6. Identify one specific area in your life where you can be more intentional about prayer. What practical steps will you take this week to prioritize this? [04:04]
7. How can you encourage others in your church or small group to join you in a committed effort to revive the spirit of prevailing prayer? What resources or support might you need? [04:28]