The Power of Prayer

Three Seasons Community Church– 8-5-07

Core Values determine what you do, and what you don’t do with your time, energy and money.

REACHING the brokenhearted for Christ

GROWING in Christ

EQUIPPING to serve Christ

1. EXPECT– Fervent Prayer

To develop and nurture an intimate relationship with God.

[2 Chronicles 7:14; Isaiah 55:6; Matthew 6: 5-15, 21:20-22; Mark 1:35, 9:14-29; Luke 1:37, 5:16, 11:1-13, 18:1-8; Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19; James 5:16]

Luke 5:16 But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.

2. EXALT– Passionate Worship

Looking beyond ourselves to the source of all blessings-- God-- and expressing our gratitude!

[Psalm 51:17, 100:1-5, 150:1-6; Matthew 4:10, 9:13; Luke 4:8; John 4:23-24;Romans 12:1-2; Colossians 3:16, 4:2; 1 Timothy 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19]

3. ENCOURAGE– Loving Relationships

Jesus commanded us to love one another as He loved us.

[Mark 12:30-31; John 13:34-35, 15:12 &17; Romans 12:8-10, 13:8, 14:1, 15:1-6; 1 Corinthians 10:23-24; Galatians 5:13-15; Ephesians 4:2; Philippians 2:1-11; 1 Thessalonians 3:12, 4:9; Hebrews 10:24-25; 1 Peter 1:22, 3:8, 4:8, 5:14; 1 John 2:7-8, 3:11-24, 4:7-21; 2 John 1:5-6]

4. EDIFY – Authentic Biblical Living

To be a witness of Christ’s transforming power through the joys and struggles of everyday life.

[Job 1:21; Psalm 73:28, Psalm 119:105; Romans 5:2-5, 8:28-29; 1 Corinthians 9:25; 2 Corinthians 5:16-17; Ephesians 4:11-13; Philippians 3:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19; 1 Timothy 4:8; 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 4:2-5; Hebrews 6:1; James 1:22; 2 Peter 3:18]

5. EQUIP– Teach and Empower

Helping believers discover how they can serve God and others.

[Romans 12:3-11; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31, 14:12; Galatians 5:13; Ephesians 4:10-15; 1 Peter 4:10, 5:5]

6. EMBRACE– Welcoming All

Our mandate by God is to "GO" and share the love and good news of Jesus Christ with those who don’t know Him.

[Psalm 73:28; Matthew 5:13-16, 9:12-13, 16:18, 28:16-20; Mark 16:16; Luke 14:23, 15, 19:10; John 3:16-17, 10:9, 14:6; Acts 1:8, 2:21; Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:23, 10:9-14, 3:29-30; 1 Corinthians 3:6-7; 2 Corinthians 2:14-15; Ephesians 3:10; Colossians 2:19; 1 Timothy 2:3-6; 2 Peter 3:9]

My prayer is that something someone says will encourage you to continue to seek an intimate relationship with God and motivate us to pray more!

How would you define Prayer?

How do you develop and/or maintain your relationship with God? What helps you when you feel distant from God or discouraged?

What is the greatest thing about prayer? Are there any experiences with prayer that you would like to share?

What frustrates you about prayer?

What answers to prayer or blessings have you seen as you have prayed for others?

How does God speak to you?

What has God been saying to you?

Is there anything you would like to add?

                    How has God spoken to you today?

                    How can you nurture a more intimate relationship with God this week?