Steve A. Hamilton

Introduction:  We have much to pray for and about.  [Relate some of the things listed in our prayer requests]  When Peter was in prison, what do we find the church doing (Acts 12:5)? We are going to make such an effort in our prayers today.

I. I’m afraid we are far from vigilant in our prayers.

          A. Paul said that we should earnestly pray (Col. 4:2).  

          B. Paul even identifies Epaphras was a brother in Christ who labored fervently in prayer (Col. 4:12).

          C. Even Jesus made great efforts in His prayers (Luke 6:12).

II. Prayers properly expressed can change things. 

          A. In fact, prayers can exceed our expectations (Eph. 3:20).

                   1. As a boy, we use to have occasional prayer services when someone in the congregation was believed to be near death.  One such was for my father.

                   2. Relate how a young boy badly burned made a full recovery beginning in the hour we had a prayer service.

          B. God is more than willing to grant our requests (Matt. 7:7-8).  I believe we could all relate how God has answered our prayers in times past.         

III. With the time we have left, we will be lead in a series of prayers. 

          A. We’ll ask each of the men (in the order found below) to open and close their prayers.  In other words, this is not one long prayer. 

          B. Please don’t worry if you repeat a request that is mentioned in another prayer as persistence in praying is encouraged by our Lord (Eph. 6:18; Rom. 12:12; Acts 12:5). 

          C. As we are lead in prayers, please listen and make every effort to understand the prayers so we all might say “Amen” (1 Cor. 14:15-17). 

          D. Let us use this opportunity to thank God, to praise our Lord, to seek His blessings and to edify one another as we pray.

III. Please limit each prayer to a few minutes.  No one will be keeping time but we need to be considerate of all those who wish to lead a prayer.  The order of prayers will be as follows...[names of men willing to lead prayers].

Conclusion: Prayer is an honor granted to few who live on this earth (John 9:31). Prayer is a privilege and it has been a privilege to spend this time praying.  Let us continue to pray vigilantly, earnestly and fervently (1 Thess. 5:16-18).

Last modified: 05/02/08