Gift of Spirit Message:
I felt led of God, a few weeks ago to do a message on prayer. But I have not had the time to get it together. Then one of the members asked me how I pray. So, I will do that message now; for her and the message I felt led to do.
I will start with showing about Jesus’ prayer life.
Luke 6:12—And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
I hear so much of the modern day teachers and ministers who tell people to have their ‘quiet’ time with God. I just do not find that in the Word. I just do not find that effective. They also tell people to have five minutes of prayer. I do not find this in the Word. I do not find it effective.
Acts 6:4–(the apostles speaking)–But we will give ourselves CONTINUALLY to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
This is what true ministers have to do. How else can you be a true minister?
Acts 12:5–Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
Results? An angel came and delivered him out of prison.
Acts 10: 2–(speaking of Cornelius)–A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always.
Results? He was the first Gentile and his house, to receive the Holy Ghost.
James 5:14–Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
v15–And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
v16…The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Acts 12:12–…where many were gathered together praying.
This is a great way to grow in the Lord and to receive great blessings— is to gather together with others and pray together. This has been the best way for me to learn to really gain power and get into the Spirit.
If all pray together, in a loud voice, this is really a spiritual blessing. This is the best way; there is more power this way. You are lost in the crowd and can have great freedom to really pour out your heart to God.
Jude 20—But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost.
1Cor. 14: 14–For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
v15—What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
Now, for those who condemn praying in tongues, just look at what Paul really said here. He said if He prayed in an unknown tongue, his spirit prays. Then he said his understanding was unfruitful. But did he say so don’t pray in an unknown tongue? No!!! No!!! He said I will pray with the spirit = meaning he would pray in an unknown tongue— isn’t that what he said praying in an unknown tongue was = his spirit praying?
He said he would do it both ways. We must worship in spirit and in truth. We must get into the spirit, if we are to really reach God.
Heb. 5:7–(speaking of Jesus)–Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
Now, this shows that Jesus prayed with strong crying; he was not mumbling or ‘thinking’ silently praying. This is just not effective. It will not get you into the Spirit.
The Psalms are full of crying to God with a loud voice. If you will check a good concordance, you will find there are many Scriptures verifying this.
Psm. 28:1–Unto thee will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit.
People want to pray silently or have a moment of silence; it is abomination to God. Then maybe he will be silent to them.
v2—Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle.
Lifting up your hands to him is a form of worship. It is taught in a lot of Scriptures. If you are ashamed to raise your hands and worship him, he may be ashamed of you someday.
Psm. 64:1–Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy.
Luke 19:37–shows the people praising God with a loud voice—– this is another good way to pray; praise God with a loud voice.
Where do these ‘dead’ church people get all this ‘quiet’ stuff? I do not find it in the Word.
1Tim. 2:8–I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
Now, there are so many more Scriptures which verify that we should pray with a loud voice, strong crying, holding up Holy Hands, with the unknown tongue, with the understanding, and in much prayer; but I will not give any more. You can find it for yourself.
We are told that Jesus rose up early, before day light, many times and went out to pray. He prayed all night at times. He prayed very much; he was praying to his God; not to himself.
We are told that the people gathered together to pray. This is the way to really grow in power with God; this is where the blessings are found. If one desires to have power with God and receive the sweet blessings of the Holy Ghost, you must do a lot of praying. Pray as the Word shows— with a loud voice— let your voice be heard ( as shown in many Psm.)–lift up your hands and worship.
Praise him first of all; before making your requests. This is how you come into his presence. I find it very effective to pray the Word to God. I learned that Jesus did this a lot. So, when I pray the Word to God, his presence blesses me in return. I go through my home, just hollowing praises to God. It is so sweet. When I say my blessing over my food, many times I just lift my voice and really praise him. Sometimes, He starts to blessing me so much I can’t eat. It is wonderful.
If you wake up at night and can’t sleep, get up and pray or study the Word. This will keep you spiritual and free from a troubled, carnal mind. It will give you power with God.
I will call Jesus my Apostle, my high priest, my physician, my God, my Father, my teacher etc. This is a very effective way to pray. It really beings his presence. Just offer him praise and bless his Holy Name. I do many times, as I read in Revelation— I just say, Holy, Holy, Holy to him. Anything you find in the Word— use this in prayer.
Just lift up your voice—don’t be ashamed. Talk to Your Father; do not be silent to him. This is no way to pray– it will not get you into his Spirit.
If you cannot now pray in the unknown tongue, ask God to give you this. I do not do it as much as I used to; but it is wonderful when it comes.
Raise your hands and wave them to Him. Learn to really worship in prayer. This is how we please God. The Word says that our prayers delight the Lord. That is how I see it; I am delighting him for all the glory he gives to me.
I hope this will bless you all and help someone.
JO