prayer – Mt Freedom Baptist Church

In the Garden of Gethsemane on the night He was betrayed, Jesus prayed that His disciples would be one just as He and the Father are One. But that doesn’t mean we should be cookie-cutter duplicates of one another – all striving under our own power and by our own will to do the same old things we believe are “the right things to do.” Rather, it means that we should be united under the guidance of God’s Spirit that by His power and in His will we may apply the individual spiritual gifts that He has given all of His children. If we rely upon our own power to accomplish the things we ourselves have determined, we will be ineffective in accomplishing the mission God has assigned to us – to share the Gospel of eternal salvation in Jesus alone, and to raise up disciples of Jesus to carry on the mission of building God’s Kingdom together in true unity of mind and spirit.

Jesus warned His apostles that they would be brought before rulers to give a defense for their Gospel testimony and that they were not to wonder what they would say in those moments – that God’s Spirit would give them the right words at the right time. Such was the case when Peter and John were brought before the Sanhedrin to explain by what power and in whose Name they had healed a lame man and were preaching the Gospel. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter gave a powerful testimony, saying that there is only one Name given by whom we must be saved – the Name of Jesus of Nazareth. After they were released and reported what had happened to the other disciples, all of them offered prayers of thanks and praise giving God all the glory for the miraculous healing and for Peter and John’s release. In response, God’s Spirit powerfully shook the place they were praying.

Paul concludes his letter to the Colossians with some instructions about prayer. He asks them to pray for him and those who are with him in Rome – not that they might be release from prison, but that God would open doors in their current situation to share the Gospel effectively with those around them. He advises the Colossians (and us) to be specific in our prayers, to always pray with thankful hearts, and to pray always in the Spirit. But he also gives a warning to always be watchful so that we don’t fall into temptations from the spirit of our enemy.

When you include regular prayer and fasting as part of your relationship with Jesus, you will not regret it. God is faithful, He is just, and He always fulfills His promises. Especially for those who are closest to Him. You want to be closer to Jesus, start praying daily and adding in fasting for more urgent matters.

When’s the last time, or perhaps the first time, you experienced the Greatness of God or the powerful presence of His Spirit? When’s the last time you expected God to hear your prayer, answer your prayer, and then move in your life because of your prayer? God desires to hear from us. He wants His children to speak with Him. Ask Him things. Share their struggles. Share their joy. Jesus teaches us that God moves into action because of our prayers. Will you be bold and audacious enough to speak with your Heavenly Father?

Please Enter Your Message

for Pastor Brian

Please Enter Your Message

Service Times

Contact Us