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Standing in the Gap: Praying for One Another James 5:15-16 “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16) Have you ever thought? “Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.” Isaiah 59:1-2 My requests are not out of God’s reach My petitions are not too quiet for God to hear My sins have kept God from hearing & responding 1. Break Down the Barriers to Prayer Ü Confess Known Sin"If I had cherished sin in my heat, the Lord would not have listened;" Psalm 66:18 u Get into the Word"How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word." Psalm 119:9 "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." Psalm 119:11 u Respond to the Holy Spirit's conviction"When he comes, he will convict the world fo guilt in ragard to sin and righteousness and judgement" John 16:8 u Ask a friend"As iron sharpens iron so one man sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17 Ü Put God First"Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts and put wicked stumbling blocks before their faces. Should I let them inquire of me at all?" Ezekiel 14:3 Ü Listen to God's Word & Obey"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." James 1:22 "If anyone turns a deaf ear to the law, even his prayers are detestable." Proverbs 28:9
2. Build Up Biblical Friendships Ü Know What a Biblical Friend Looks Like"As iron sharpens iron so one man sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17 u Stands Beside You"When he [Saul] came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the dsiciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles, He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him. And how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus." Acts 9:26-27 Brother, I want you to know that I am committedyou. You will never knowingly suffer at my hands. I will never say or do anything knowingly to hurt you. I will always in ever circumstance seek to help you and support you. If you're down andcan lift you up I will do it. Anything I have that you need I'll share and if I have to I will give it to you. No matter what I find out about you or nor matter what happens in the future, either good or bad, my commitment to you will never change. There is nothing you can do about it and you don't have to respond. I love you and that's what it means (to be a friend). u Loves You Unconditionally"Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself." 1 Samuel 18:1 u Tells You the Truth"When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong." Galatians 2:11 Ü Know the Danger of NOT having a Biblical Friendu Satan seeks to isolate, disourage & destroy you"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8 u A Biblical Friend helps you get up"Two are better than one because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!" Eccleiastes 4:9-10 Ü Pursue A Biblical Friendship Todayu Ask God: "For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." Matthew 7:8u Meet others: 3M groups; Small Groups; Support Groupsu Choose Carefully: "A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray." Proverbs 12:26I’ve tried to pray, but nothing changes. I can’t pray for very long. When I pray my mind wanders. My pray life is weak & inconsistent. I’ve failed many times, now I’ve given up. I pray faithfully, but don’t see answers. |