"When A Church Begins To Pray"

Rev Ricky Ho

Acts 4:31: When they finished praying, the place where they were meeting was shaken. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to proclaim God's message with boldness


*It doesn't mean anything if we sit or stand when our heart is not right with God
*Prayer is the last thing we do when we are in trouble

Mark 11:17: He then taught the people: "It is written in the Scriptures that God said, 'My Temple will be called a house of prayer for the people of all nations.' But you have turned it into a hideout for thieves!"


*We can pray, believe and receive, or pray, doubt and do without
*We can pray and be obedient
*God is faithful and will see us through
*The church will always have problems because we are imperfect
*The lack of unity is one of the main problems in church
*The prayer life in the church is most critical
*A praying church is a powerful church

4 Distinctive Marks of the Prayer Church
1, Mark of a Continuous Desire to Pray 
(v23-24): As soon as Peter and John were set free, they returned to their group and told them what the chief priests and the elders had said. When the believers heard it, they all joined together in prayer to God: "Master and Creator of heaven, earth, and sea, and all that is in them!

*Peter and John were not figuring a way to escape but seek God even after they were release
*It should be an issue on whether we give our tithes or not
*All of us ought to pray

2. The Eyes of Faith and Expectancy are towards God 
(v24): When the believers heard it, they all joined together in prayer to God: "Master and Creator of heaven, earth, and sea, and all that is in them!
*When the church in Jerusalem had a problem, they turned their eyes away from human beings and looked to the Lord
*Prayer is the top priority, not the last

3. The Church will Evangelize 
(v29): And now, Lord, take notice of the threads they have made, and allow us, your servants, to speak your message with all boldness.

*The prayer of the church was not to protect Peter and John but to be bolder in preaching the word
*Persecution makes the church understand the boldness we need
*It is complacency that will destroy the church

4. The Holy Spirit manifests His Presence and Power 
(v31): When they finished praying, the place where they were meeting was shaken. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to proclaim God's message with boldness.

*The problems makes us want to do more for God
*The people who are in tune with God will preach even bolder

Conclusion
*How serious are we in taking all these?
*Are we ready to be a praying church?



**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**