Prayer Power
By: Pastors Rodney & Adonica Howard-BrownePublish date: 02/24/2019
Foundation Scripture:
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Acts 1:8 KJV
1. Supernatural Persecution.
a. Right after the miracle in Acts 3, Peter and John were arrested.
b. Acts 4:1-3 KJV — And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, 2 Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.
c. Acts 4:22 AMPC — For the man on whom this sign (miracle) of healing was performed was more than forty years old.
d. Supernatural power brings supernatural persecution.
e. They were released and threatened not to keep preaching Jesus.
f. They went back to their own company.
g. Acts 4:23 KJV — And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.
h. You need to know where you belong.
i. You need to keep company with people of like faith.
2. They Began to Pray.
a. Acts 4:24-30 KJV — And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: 25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? 26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. 27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, 28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. 29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, 30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
b. They began by worshipping God—telling Him how great He is.
c. If you want God to hear you, you need to begin by entering His presence by ministering to Him—lifting Him up.
d. The way we come before the Lord—the way we enter His presence—is through thanksgiving and praise (Psalm 95:2).
e. Then they brought His attention to the problem and asked for boldness to continue to preach His Word (verse 29).
f. They asked Him to equip them to continue to do what He had commissioned them to do and to show up in power and demonstration.
3. Prayer Power Released.
a. The place was shaken.
b. Acts 4:31 KJV — And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
c. They were all filled and spoke the Word with boldness.
d. Acts 4:33 KJV — And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
e. Prayer and praise.
f. Acts 16:25-26 KJV — And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. 26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.
g. Paul and Silas were falsely charged, beaten and thrown into the most secure area of the prison.
h. They began to pray and to praise God and all the prisoners heard them.
i. Suddenly there was a great earthquake.
j. Not a normal earthquake—but it was the supernatural power of God—opening all the doors and unfastening all their shackles.
k. When we release our faith, God’s mighty power is released.
l. Praise is the highest form of prayer.
m. We need to pray and we need to praise.
This Friday: Join us for 12 hours of prayer from 6 PM to 6 AM on Friday, March 1st.