THE AWAKENINGA study of Prayer and our Awakening

This is a great study on the theme of prayer and awakening.

It isn’t a study on how to pray, but WHY we should pray.

Take your time and go through it. It may take a few days.

Read the scriptures that are in bold and underlined.

Let’s all be strengthened in our prayer life!

1. AWAKENING OUR CITY

Intro:

● The Passover a wonderful time in Israel in Jesus’s day

● Scores would travel to Jerusalem for this special time.

● The road to Jerusalem was filled with the travelers singing and praying The Psalms of

Ascents (Psalms 120-134)

Psalm 126A prayer while ascending to Jerusalem for the Passover.

Jerusalem was on a high hill, and the Israelites would sing and pray these Psalms as they were “ascending” to the city.

These songs/prayer were special to them as it helped prepare them for the Passover.

Reminder: Passover was a day to remember when the angel of death “passed over” the Jews while in slavery in Egypt.

Exodus 11:4-8Ex 12:1-7

Ex 12-13

The Passover was a day of prayer and remembrance.The Passover is also very symbolic of our relationship with JesusThe blood of Jesus protects us from the “angel of death” –we are safe!The Old Testament celebration of Passover is our weekly celebration of Communion.

● When we take communion, we are in prayer to remind us that the blood of

Christ protects us from the eternal consequences of our sins.

● They were coming to Jerusalem to renew their faith, fulfill vows, to be made new

spiritually. That is what prayer can do for us EVERY DAY!!

They would come for an awakening, but many missed it.Many missed the heart of the Psalms of Ascents.They were coming because that is what you were supposed to do.

The week before Jesus was crucified, before the Passover, he came riding into the city, hailed as the coming Messiah—the King is here!

● To the traveler—Jerusalem is the place to be!!---a place of holiness, prophets, saviors!

● But Jesus saw something different coming into His city—the City of David—His special

city. Jesus was born in Bethlehem, but his heart is for Jerusalem.

The modern day equivalent of Jerusalem is the Church.What do you love about your Church?_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Matt 23:37-38

● Jesus laments over HIS city

● While thousands are coming in for festivities/celebration, Jesus see’s what’s behind

closed doors—the hurting hearts of his people.

● Jesus longs to gather His city under his wings—to protect them/nurture—despite their

sins.

Luke 19:41-42

● Wept over His city

● “If only they knew…” -- He longed for them to know what would bring them peace.

● Hidden from their eyes—spiritual door was closed

What do we see?We must awaken to the lost-ness of our city—our city—like Jesus

Our Area:Love our area—GOD’S FAVORITE PLACE! ☺Filled with Real People with real spiritual problems

Many are lost in sadness, hopeless, loneliness, families a wreck, deceived spiritually

Write down the names of those who need your prayers__________________________________________________________________________________________

Col 4:2-4

● Paul in Rome—the city where he will eventually be martyred

● Asks for the disciples to pray---for the Father to open doors in this city (Rome)

● Not just to pray—but to be devoted to prayer

Devoted—our passion, our daily practice, we wouldn’t miss it,

● The doors of our city has are closed—only God can open them up!!

Only by prayer can these closed doors of human hearts can be open to see the light of the Gospel!

● We must call on God to open them up!

Many of us remember the conference in 1986 in BostonWorld Missions Seminar in Boston 1986Thousands prayed for planting churches around the world

Church planted in Johannesburg—apartheid fell Church planted in Berlin—Berlin Wall fellChurch planted in Moscow—attempted coup, groups left, ours stayed

● Praying for open doors is in the heart of a true disciple!

Jesus prayed for JerusalemPaul is praying for Rome

Pray for open doors_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

● Both Paul and Jesus see the crisis—their city is doomed to darkness!

Both long for the truth of God to be made known to them.Both see that despite what picture the devil has painted, the doors are closed

BUT ONLY DEVOTED PRAYER CAN OPEN THOSE DOORS!!

Isaiah 60:1-3

● This is the Lord’s appeal to Israel

● Darkness has covered the land

● But a piercing light is showing thru the open door

● Nations (people) will come to your light

● So when we pray, the door will be opened—what will they see? A piercing light

Pray for open doors in our community!!Pray for open doors at your job/school/neighborhood! PRAY!!

● When that door is open, pray that we shine with a life of radical/ridiculous love!

● When we pray---God will do His part, we then must do our part—radical love

2. AWAKENING THE DEAD BONES

Here is another example of great AWAKENING PRAYER: EzekielAt this time, Israel was conquered and many Jews were exiledEzekiel was a prophet during the exile.The nation of Israel was in complete disarray,

All was gone, ruined, hopeless, all in darknessIsrael was a graveyard

Ezekiel 37:1-3

● God is giving Ezekiel a vision of the condition of Israel. God wants to make sure that he

really sees the true condition of the people.

● God asks him a great question: Can these bones live?

This is a great question for our faith.

● When we look at the spiritual condition of the world, or maybe the condition of our

hearts, this is a great prayer. CAN THESE BONES LIVE?Of course they can! IF we have the faith!

● It’s all about bringing hope—to the lost, and to each other!

Bones have a semblance of humanity, but are completely functionless.

Ez 37:4-6

● Prophesy—calling on the breath of God to enter dead bones: PRAYER!

● This is a great prayer for us. To call on the Holy Spirit to make the dead bones come alive!

To Move in people’s hearts—people who are stuck, deceived, discouragedTo Convict people’s hearts—who are blinded by sin or pain

37:7-8WHEN WE PRAY:

● Part of our faith is that when we pray, we pray in faith

● When we pray with faith, we can hear ‘rattling’ sounds

● These rattling sounds are things beginning to happen!

● Let’s open our eyes and ears for rattling sounds—the sound of answered

prayers!

What dead bone would you like to see revived in your spiritual life?_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________(Pray about it)

37:9-10When we pray for each other—God’s people can be revived and awakened.

Pray for your small group to be revived and fruitful______________________________________________________________________________________________________

This awakening results in the revival of “a vast army”. Amen!

3. AWAKENING PRAYERS IN MY CHAINS

CHAINS---WHAT IS BINDING US, WHAT IS HINDERING US, CONSEQUENCES OF BEING A DISCIPLE OF JESUS

Col 4:3

● Paul is in prison (house arrest, “quarantined” if you will)

In chains because of the Gospel—let us all realize that there can be a cost in being a disciple: Ridicule, Persecution, Our sacrifices (tithes, time, talents)

● While in chains, Paul believes that the kingdom will still move, and asks for prayers!

● Prays for an Open Door

The big question—when we experience our chains, are we praying for quick relief or are we praying for an open door?

What chains are you experiencing now, and what is your prayer about it?___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Phil 1:12-14, 19

● From his prison—his example has rocked the palace guard!

Think about this: What are we like in our chains?Are we whiney and have to call the waaaambulance?Or are people shocked at our faithfulness?

● How he responds to adversity also encouraged the Church!

The scripture says that others were emboldened to preach even more

● One of the keys? Verse 19: The prayers of the people

Phil 1:3-5

● In chains, Paul is praying for the Philippian Church!

He isn’t wallowing in self pityHe isn’t wallowing as a victim

What area in your life is it easy for you to become a victim?__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Eph 6:19PRAY—to be fearless in speaking

Here are some life “chains” that we may experience—chains that are just a part of life:

These are chains of life…or so we thinkHealth—chronic, Older age--slowerResponsibilities: Young kids—energy, time, fatigueCareer not that fulfillingTeens—serious life changesDetached parents—hard to be a teen with distant parentsFinancial problems

Eph 6:19-20Paul in prison…same ole story for Paul!Ambassador in Chains—THIS IS WHO WE ARE!

WE ARE AMBASSADORS IN CHAINS!!Again, Paul’s prayer? Not to be set free from the chains, but to be a great ambassador.It is quite obvious what the focus is in the life of Paul.It certainly is not his own problems.

2Tim 2:8-9Paul may be chainedGod’s Word is NOT chained!!

CHAINS FUEL THE KINGDOM OF GOD!!With our issues? We are not chained! We are just getting warmed up!Maybe you feel super busy and have no time? Not chained!

YOU ARE NOT PART OF THE BONEYARDYou are a son or daughter of GodYou have the power of the Holy Spirit living in youYou have the Word of God leading and directing youHave some of us been listening to the devil too long?The devil has convinced you that you are just barely hanging on—NONSENSE

You want to know how God feels about you?Heb 11:38 says this world is not worthy of people of the faith

God says this world is not even worthy of you

So let’s pray DIFFERENTLY.Let’s awaken our soul and defeat the chains that may hinder you.Amen

FURTHER READINGThe book of Nehemiah—notice his dependence on God through his prayer life.