Prayer as Power in Ascension and Pentecost

Dennis Tuuri

Outline: Acts 1:12-14 Prayer and Pentecost Sermon Notes for the Seventh Sunday in Easter: May 24, 2009 By Pastor Dennis R. Tuuri Intro: Gods people are a praying people. The first glimpse or snapshot of the church the centrality of prayer The importance of prayer in all the critical events of the book of Acts Prayer, the Spirit and Jesus Lk. 3:21, 22 Characteristics of the Praying Church 1. Obedience underlies effective prayer. They went to Jerusalem and waited, as Jesus had commanded. 2. Preparation for effective prayer seeks to reduce interruptions to that prayer. They arranged to pray in the upper room, 3. Effective prayer perseveres. They continued in prayer. 4. Effective prayer results from unity of heart and mind. They prayed with one accord. Your prayer closet should be able to hold others, and usually include them. Acts 1:14; 2:1; 2:46; 4:24; 5:12; 7:57; 8:6; 12:20; 15:25; 18:12; 19:29 Excursus: Acts 2:41-47 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. [Note: Apostlic Evangelism] 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread , and in prayers. [Note: Formal Apostle-Led Non-daily Worship] 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. [Note: Apostlci Sign Gifts] 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, [Note: Emphasis on Unity of Apostles and Congregation] 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. [Note: Congregational miracles] 46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house , they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, [Note: Daily Congregational-led Life] 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. [Note: Congregational Evangelism] The Lords Prayer ( Our Father, our daily bread, our debts, our debtors, lead us , deliver us ) Women are full fledged participants in the important mission of the church. 5. Effective prayer involves unity and diversity, and the individual remains an individual. Named participants 6. Effective prayer prays the promises , particularly the promise of vindication. Acts 1:6; 2:20-22; Ps. 43, 17, 35, 43; 1 Kings 8:31, 32 7. Effective prayer consists of, and develops, devotion and asking for needful things. 8. Effective prayer is mingled with effective actions. Acts 2B, Take a notebook to a prayer meeting. Conclusion: Effective prayer always comes from forgiven sinners.