RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 1 November 2020 – Lesson 9
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TOPIC: The Power Of A Praying Church [RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 1 November 2020]
MEMORY VERSE: “Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.” – Acts 12:5
BIBLE PASSAGE: Matthew 18:18-20 (RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 1 November 2020)
18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
INTRODUCTION: The church is God’s agency on earth that demonstrates His love, wisdom and power. Jesus said ,”… I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven”. (Matthew 16:18-19). Prayer is a mighty weapon in the church with unprecedented outcomes upon the church, the world and God’s kingdom. Therefore, we must understand the role of the church through prayer and it’s resultant effects.
LESSON OUTLINES:
- Reasons And Conditions
- Scope And Results
1. REASONS AND CONDITIONS
The church employs prayer to make effective the word, the name, and the Spirit of God in fulfilling her divine mandate (Acts 2:42). God listens to the church (Jeremiah 33:3; Matthew 18:19). The church needs prayer for constant fellowship with God and with one another (Acts 2:42); for exhortation and edification, building of the faith of believers in God (Heb. 10:25; 1 Timothy 3:10) and to remind God of His promises to protect His Church from the attack of the enemy (Matthew 16:18). The church also pray for the demonstration of God’s power through miracles, signs and wonders (Acts 5:12; 12:5).
For the prayer of the church to be effective and result-oriented, the members must live in holiness as saints of God because the prayer of sinner is abomination unto God (Pro.15:8). The church members must relate with singleness of heart and be united in faith (Acts 2:1; 4:25; 2 Peter 1:1). Such prayer must be scripture-based (Dan. 9:2-3), specific (Acts 4:29-30), fervent (James 5:16), spirit-led (Romans 8:26; Jude 29) and with the assurance of response from God (Acts 4:31; 1 John 5:14-15).
2. SCOPE AND RESULTS
The prayer of the church should cover Sinners’ conversion (Acts 2:21); Family needs (Acts 16:32); Nation’s request (Romans 10:1-3); People in authority and all men (1 Timothy 2:1-4); Church leaders (Colossians 4:3-4); Church work (Matthew 16:18-19); Individual requests (James 5:13); Wrestling territorial powers (James 5:13); etc
The essence of prayer is it’s results. The church prayed for Peter with unity and God answered speedily (Acts 12:5-11). Similarly, the church prayed desperately for unction to function and this turned around the course of the church (Acts 4:31). Hence, the earnest and sincere heart-prayers of the church, based upon the word of God, accomplish much. The results include:
God’s presence and power (Acts 4:31);
Boldness of the Saints to witness (Acts 14:3);
Empowerment of believers for exploits (Acts 4:33); Growth of the church (Acts 5:12-14);
Spiritual strength and maturity (Col. 1:9-11).
Prosecution of the world evangelisation through mission outreaches (Acts 13:1-3); Miracles, signs and wonders (Acts 5:12); God’s visitation to release incarcerated saints (Acts 12:5-11).
CONCLUSION: Prayer makes the church grow, glow and gracious. The major hindrance to the prayer of the church is sin and disunity.
QUESTIONS:
- What are the reasons and conditions the church of God must pray?
- What areas should the prayer of a church cover and what are the results?
ASSIGNMENT: Student should list five 5 benefits they have enjoyed through corporate prayers.
RCCG Sunday School HYMN
- O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
O how I love Thee well,
I am happy, it makes me glad
To rejoice at Thy birth. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Thy friendship suits me well,
Both young and old will sing Thy song,
We long for Sunday School. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest in thee. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds black with rain,
I’ll be in Sunday School. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?
