This study was first taught on February 11, 2018

Topic: The Vitality of Praying

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Background
Last week we looked at the Ascension and the Return of the Lord Jesus Christ; the former being a real event that has already taken place, while the latter is another real event that is yet to take place, but the shall most certainly take place.

We noted that the Ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ foreshadows that Rapture of the Church, which is another event that will certainly take place at the end of the Church Age. Hence, so as not to miss the Rapture, the Lord admonishes us to watch soberly.

As the disciples were looking steadfastly into heaven, two angels asked why they were gazing into heaven, since the Lord shall return in the same way He ascended. Hence, the angels seemed to be saying to the disciples, “There’s work to be done, so stop gazing into heaven and get to work.” By this, we noted that the Lord is telling us to work earnestly, while watching soberly for His Return.

We noted also that while watching soberly and working patiently, we ought also to be ready for His Return. We recalled that the five foolish virgins slept when they ought to have been getting themselves ready; unlike the wise virgins who though slept, yet, had made themselves ready. Thus, we noted that the Lord’s word to us is to wait patiently, which is an act of being ready for His Return or our departure to meet Him when our time on the earth is over.

Scripture Text(s)
Acts 1:12-14
“These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication …”
As we look at this portion of Scripture, today, we pray that the Lord will speak to us by His Spirit, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
When we speak of ‘vitality of praying’ we are speaking of, not just the vigour or vibrancy of praying, but more importantly, we are speaking of the efficacy—the capacity for producing a desired result—or the effectiveness of praying. We are also speaking of the central, critical, and crucial place or role of praying as it relates to theose who are disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. And whilst our goal in this meeting today is to pray, first, we want to speak of the vitality of praying.
1 John 5:14-15; Isaiah 59:1-2; Psalm 66:18; Romans 8:26-27; 1 Corinthians 14:2; James 4:1-4; Proverbs 16:9; Psalm 33:10-11; Isaiah 7:5-7; Mark 1:35-39; James 4:13-16; 2 Corinthians 1:17ff; Proverbs 19:21; Isaiah 55:8-11; Proverbs 20:5; 19:20; Matthew 26:31-35, 36-47, 69-75; Acts 6:1-4; Colossians 4:2; Ephesians 6:19-20; 1 Corinthians 16:9; Matthew 25:1-13; 1 Corinthians 14:2-3; Jeremiah 23:16-18, 21-22,28-33; 1 Corinthians 14:4; 9:27; 2 Chronicles 7:14.

Conclusion
James 5:16b-18. It is the fervent, effectual prayer of a righteous man that availeth much; not that of an unrighteous man—no matter how fervent your praying, it shall avail nothing! Elijah had his own personal issues (which he wasn’t praying about—things like his lack of accommodation, his not being married, his not having change of clothes, etc.) but he prayed the heart of God, and the results are clear on both occasions.

When we set ourselves to pray the Will of God from a heart that is subscribed to the Will of God, He shall hear us! Remember, the Lord said, “When ye pray”; not “If ye pray”—so, let us make prayer/praying our mission, until we receive a vision from God!

LET US PRAY!

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