Asking - Receiving

JOHN 16:17-33

John 16:17-33 NIV

John 16:23-24 (NIV) 23 In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 24

Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

John 15:7 (NIV) “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.”

Two Primary Contexts of PrayerPersonal• Between an individual and God• Most commonly emphasized

Corporate Prayer• Between a group of believers and God• Greatly neglected in today’s church

Acts 2:42 (NIV) “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”

What was the church doing before the Holy Spirit came upon them?Acts 1:14 (NIV) “They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.”

Peter and John told to stop preaching the gospel…Acts 4:23 (NIV) “On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God.”

Peter arrested and put into prison – Angel frees him…Acts 12:12 (NIV) “When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying.”

Jesus purges the temple of the money changers …Isaiah 56:7 (NIV) “…these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.”

James 5:13-16 (NIV) 13 Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. 14 Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. 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.

Purposes of Corporate Prayer• Praising and worshipping God• Interceding • Seeking guidance• Healing• Deliverance

Corporate Prayer invites the Holy Spirit to move in the body of Christ that is praying!

WP Weekly Prayer Service• Beginning this coming Saturday Night at

6:30 PM – 8:00 PM• From now until Easter• Focal point will be prayer, both collectively

and in smaller groups• Praise and worship plus soaking• Encourage everyone to fast their Saturday

evening meal• Encourage all to come and participate

John 15:7 (NIV) “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.”

This is a promise from Jesus Christ to the disciples and to us as the church.

Q: Are we as the Church at Whistling Pines ready to claim that promise and become a

church that places prayer first?