Introduction

• Prayer is the way of life for Christians: James 5:13-15; Jesus’ example.

• Prayer is a great gift of God.  It accesses believers to God’s awesome power.

• What have you done with the great gift of God?

James 5:17-18 assures that we can pray with power like that of Elijah.

• What do we need to do?

James 5:16a tells us that we must meet two conditions before God will unleash His power through our prayer.

    A righteous person is the one having the right attitude toward God and fellow Christians.

Toward God: Matthew 6:8-10
Toward fellow Christians: Roman 12:3-5; James 5:16a

    Fervent prayer is heartfelt and continual.  Matt 6:5-7; Heb 5:7

Conclusion

   The act of prayer can be best remembered as:

P - Personal
R - Real
A - Active
Y - Yielding

Application

    2 Chronicle 7:14
    Psalm 24:3-4a

I.  We are able to go deeper because:

     Our calling is clear (vs. 10)

“…The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”  Mt. 9:37-38

“And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly as I should.”  Col. 4:3-4

II.  Going deeper through:

      Deeper faith (vs. 4-5)

“Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel…Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.”  Eph. 6:19-20

“Woe to me!” I cried.  “I am ruined!  For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have sent he King, the Lord Almighty.” Isa. 6:5

“My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.  Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.”  Job 42:5 – 6

I. Houston 2005
 

II. Laredo Mission Trip
 

III.  Hong Kong/China Mission Trip

I.  Understand the way God created us
    Romans 1:24-31; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 1 Timothy 1:8-10
    Lev. 18:22, Lev. 20:13, Deut. 23:17
 

II.  Respond as Jesus would
      Stand by the truth of the Spirit (the word of God)
      Jn 3:16-17