To watch the 1st Part of “LIFE of PRAYER (1) Teaching Series with Pastor George E Markakis”: https://youtu.be/oieMB7LE58s
In this teaching (Part 2) we shall see some essential reasons why it is important to go beyond the natural ability of every human to pray instinctively and be trained how to pray. So we shall look at certain aspects of the life of prayer in Christ, which we could not have known if we did not have the teaching through the Bible, and the experience of a church-life, in the fellowship of God’s people. These teachings wish to encourage us to give attention and time to our life of prayer, so that we may grow in it.
The authority of personal prayer in the Holy Spirit
Matthew 6:5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6 “But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who [is] in the secret [place;] and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. 7 “And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen [do.] For they think that they will be heard for their many words.
Matthew 14:22 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. 23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. 24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. 25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.
Luke 5:15 However, the report went around concerning Him all the more; and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by Him of their infirmities. 16 So He Himself [often] withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.
Ecclesiastes 5:1 Walk prudently when you go to the house of God; and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil. 2 Do not be rash with your mouth, And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God [is] in heaven, and you on earth; Therefore let your words be few. 3 For a dream comes through much activity, And a fool’s voice [is known] by [his] many words.
The power of Corporate (collective) Prayer
Matthew 21:12 Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. 13 And He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’ ” 14 Then [the] blind and [the] lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them.
Matthew 18:18 “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19 “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.
Deuteronomy 32:30 … one [shall] chase a thousand,
and two put ten thousand to flight.
Acts 2:41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added [to them.] 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.