Acts 3:1

 

“No great spiritual awakening has begun anywhere in the world apart from united prayer—Christians persistently praying for revival.”  Edwin Orr.

 

People do all sorts of things “together.”

· Traveled together.

· Fished together.

· Played golf together.

· Eaten a meal together.

 

How about adding another...praying together

 

 

1. The PATTERN of Praying Together.

 

 

Acts 3:1  “Peter and John”   Immediately after 3,000 were baptized.

                Often distracted by success.

                Sometimes discouraged by failure.

                Most of the time we are not praying...at all...or very little.

 

· Team ...Peter and John.

· Temple (place)

· Time (schedule) “Hour of prayer.”  We make time for what we consider important.”

 

Acts 12:12  “Many were gathered together praying.” 

                Who were these?  v. 5  “The church”  at Jerusalem

                What were they doing?  v. 5 “praying.”

                Why were they praying?  v. 5 Peter’s head was on the block.

 

                They didn’t have enough influence to keep their leaders out of jail,       but they had enough power to pray them out.

 

Acts 16:25  “Paul and Silas” praying in jail.

 

Diversity of personalities

 

Commonality of passion

 

 

2.  The PURPOSE of Praying Together.

 

Matthew 18:19-20  These verses are in the context of a church carrying out church discipline.  The “two” mentioned in verse 19 who are in agreement are the “two” or more of verse 16. 

 

Why should people regularly pray together?  What is the purpose?

 

· Accountability

 

· Encouragement

 

· Protection

 

· Motivation

 

 

3.  The POWER of Praying Together.

 

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

 

“Two are better than one.”

- Lone Ranger had...Tonto

- Sears had...Robuck

- Montgomery had...Wards

-

 

v. 9…..In Working...Projects are easier when someone else is working along side.  Combine strength, creativity, ambition.  When you share in work, you also share in a greater reward.  The payoff is bigger.  You can usually get more done when two are working together.

 

v. 10…In Walking… Life is not a dash, but a marathon, a journey.  Walking together makes sense.  ”If they fall.”  Anyone ever stumble and fell?  “Help...I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.”

 

v. 11...For Warmth... the cold...heat.  Have you ever heard of a “three-dog night”? Its an Australian aboriginal term referring to a cold night in the outback...one that required three dogs sleeping around the person to ward off the chill.  If you are out on a cold night, sleeping under the stars or in a tent, huddling together will make for a warmer night.

 

Remember King David...1 Kings 1:1-2  “Now king David was old and stricken in years; and they covered him with clothe, but he gat no heat.  Wherefore his servants said unto him, Let there be sought for my lord the king a young virgin: and let her stand before the king, and let her cherish him, and let her lie in thy bosom, that my lord the king may get heart.”  There was nothing sexual about it. Verse 4 says “the king knew her not.”  

 

v. 12...For Watchcare...In a fight.  The idea here is safety in numbers. One is not only the loneliest number, but the riskiest.  

 

“A threefold cord is not quickly broken.”  Three form an even stronger bond.

The world is full of dangers—spiritually, emotionally, physically, financially.

 

When the disciples were sent out by Jesus … by how many?   Two by two.  Luke 10:1.  Image what it was like to be Jesus’ disciples….without Jesus.  Imagine the first time to go out….they were probably unsure, unconfident… hostility...rejection.  Jesus’ solution was a “buddy system.”

 

Charles Wesley, lesser know than his brother John who founded Methodism, was a gifted hymn writer...ready?  8,989 hymns during his lifetime, that’s ten poetic lines every day for 50 years. 

 

Charles wrote a love letter for Sally as be thought of Ecclesiastes 4.

 

Two are better far than one

For counsel or for fight;

How can one be warm alone,

Or serve his God aright?

Join we then our hearts and hands,

Each to love provoke his friend;

Run the way of his commands

And keep it to the end

Woe to him whose spirits droop,

To Him who falls alone!

He has none to lift him up,

To help his weakness on:

Happier we each other keep

We each other’s burdens bear;

Never need our footsteps slip,

Upheld by mutual prayer.

 

 

His last line, “Upheld by mutual prayer.”

 

Assignment: 

(1) Today, as we are dismissed, join with one other person and pray together.

(2) Between now and next Sunday ask someone to pray with you….come before church; stay after church; meet at McDonalds or Wataburger.