{"id":4057,"date":"2020-09-04T21:35:15","date_gmt":"2020-09-05T03:35:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/integritysyndicate.com\/?p=4057"},"modified":"2022-01-24T11:54:25","modified_gmt":"2022-01-24T18:54:25","slug":"prayer-is-necessary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/integritysyndicate.com\/prayer-is-necessary\/","title":{"rendered":"Prayer is Necessary"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
Jesus was dependent on prayer for empowerment and to hear from God. (Luke 3:21-22, Luke 5:16, Luke 6:12, Luke 9:28, Luke 11:1-4, Luke 22:39-46, Mark 1:35, Mark 6:46) It was while Jesus was praying that the Holy Spirit descended on him, and the voice of God came from heaven. (Luke 3:21-22) Jesus would withdraw to desolate places and pray. (Luke 5:16, Mark 1:35) While he was in the wilderness, angels were ministering to him. (Mark 1:13) When he came out of the wilderness, he returned in the power of the Spirit. (Luke 4:14) Jesus often went out to the mountain to pray. (Luke 6:12, Mark 6:46) At times he also took disciples with him to the mountain to pray. (Luke 9:28) It was his routine to go pray on the Mount of Olives. (Luke 22:39-46) He would continue all night in prayer to God. (Luke 6:12) Other times he would rise up before dawn and go to a desolate place, and there he prayed. (Mark 1:35) And when he saw the temple was being used as a market, he was outraged, saying, \u201cIt is written, \u2018My house shall be a house of prayer.\u2019\u201d (Luke 19:46)<\/p>
To Jesus, prayer was a process of humbling yourself before God, being under the influence and sanctified by the Holy Spirit, receiving revelation and empowerment from God, remaining in a state of forgiveness, and averting temptation. (Luke 11:1-4) As Jesus knew the time to suffer a horrible death was drawing near, he knelt down and prayed to resist the temptation to deviate from God\u2019s plan saying, \u201cFather, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will but yours be done.\u201d (Luke 22:39-46) On account of this prayer, an angel from heaven appeared to him, strengthening him. (Luke 22:43) Being in agony, he prayed more earnestly. (Luke 22:44) And as Jesus surrendered his life, his final cry was, \u201cFather, into your hands I commit my spirit!\u201d (Luke 23:46)<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
13<\/sup> And he was in the wilderness forty days<\/strong>, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him<\/strong>.<\/p> 35<\/sup> And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed<\/strong>.<\/p> 46<\/sup> And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray<\/strong>.<\/p> 21<\/sup> Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened<\/strong>, 22<\/sup> and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven<\/strong>, \u201cYou are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.\u201d<\/p> 14<\/sup> And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit<\/strong> to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country.<\/p> 16<\/sup> But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray<\/strong>.<\/p> 12<\/sup> In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God<\/strong>.<\/p> 28<\/sup> Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray<\/strong>. 29<\/sup> And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white.<\/strong><\/p> 1<\/sup> Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, \u201cLord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.\u201d 2<\/sup> And he said to them, \u201cWhen you pray, say: \u201cFather, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. 3<\/sup> Give us each day our daily bread,<\/strong> 4<\/sup> and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.\u201d<\/strong><\/p> 45<\/sup> And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold, 46<\/sup> saying to them, \u201cIt is written, \u2018My house shall be a house of prayer,\u2019 <\/strong>but you have made it a den of robbers.\u201d<\/p> 39<\/sup> And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him<\/strong>. 40<\/sup> And when he came to the place, he said to them, \u201cPray that you may not enter into temptation.\u201d 41<\/sup> And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed<\/strong>, 42<\/sup> saying, \u201cFather, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.\u201d<\/strong> 43<\/sup> And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him.<\/strong> 44<\/sup> And being in agony he prayed more earnestly<\/strong>; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45<\/sup> And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, 46<\/sup> and he said to them, \u201cWhy are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.\u201d<\/p> 46<\/sup> Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, \u201cFather, into your hands I commit my spirit!\u201d And having said this he breathed his last<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t Supernatural phenomena would occur in the life of Christ during times of prayer including manifestations of the Holy Spirit, the ministry of healing, the casting out of demons, the appearance of angels and the transfiguration. (Luke 3:21-22, Luke 10:17-24, Luke 22:43) Jesus affirmed his anointing saying, \u201cThe Spirit of the Lord is upon me.\u201d (Luke 4:16-21) He told his disciples, \u201cTruly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.\u201d (John 1:51) We know how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power \u2013 He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. (Acts 10:37-38) The power of the God was with him to heal. (Luke 5:17) Those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured, and the crowds sought to touch him, for power came out from him and healed them all. (Luke 6:18-19) When a woman touched the fringe of his garment, she was healed. (Luke 8:44) For Jesus could perceive that power had gone out from him. (Luke 8:46) Jesus gave his disciples similar power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases sending them to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. (Luke 9:1-2, Luke 10:9) When a disciple could not cast out a demon, Jesus\u2019 response was, \u201cThis kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.\u201d (Mark 9:29)<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t 1<\/sup> Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened<\/strong>, 22<\/sup> and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, \u201cYou are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.\u201d<\/strong><\/p> 17<\/sup> The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, \u201cLord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!\u201d 18<\/sup> And he said to them, \u201cI saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven<\/strong>. 19<\/sup> Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. 20<\/sup> Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.\u201d\u00a0 21<\/sup> In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, \u201cI thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 22<\/sup> All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.\u201d 23<\/sup> Then turning to the disciples he said privately, \u201cBlessed are the eyes that see what you see! 24<\/sup> For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.\u201d<\/p> 16<\/sup> And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. 17<\/sup> And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, 17<\/sup> On one of those days, as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with him to heal<\/strong>.<\/p> 18<\/sup> who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. And those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. 19<\/sup> And all the crowd sought to touch him, for power came out from him and healed them all<\/strong>.<\/p> 44<\/sup> She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. 45<\/sup> And Jesus said, \u201cWho was it that touched me?\u201d When all denied it, Peter said, \u201cMaster, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!\u201d 46<\/sup> But Jesus said, \u201cSomeone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p> 1<\/sup> And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, 2<\/sup> and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.<\/p> 9<\/sup> Heal the sick in it and say to them, \u200b\u2018The kingdom of God has come near to you.\u2019<\/p> 43<\/sup> And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him.<\/p> 37<\/sup> you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: 38<\/sup> how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.<\/p> 51<\/sup> And he said to him, \u201cTruly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.\u201d<\/p> 28<\/sup> And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, \u201cWhy could we not cast it out?\u201d 29<\/sup> And he said to them, \u201cThis kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.\u201d<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t After the resurrection of Christ, the Apostles were waiting in Jerusalem for the promise of the Father to be baptized with the Holy Spirit and to be clothed with power from on high. (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4-5) When they were in Jerusalem, they would meet in an upper room where they were staying. (Acts 1:12-13) The apostles with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. (Acts 1:13-14) When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:1-4) This was the fulfillment of what was uttered through the prophet Joel, that in the last days, God declares, I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh.\u2019 (Acts 2:16-18) Those who believed in the message of Jesus devoted themselves to the apostles\u2019 teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers as awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done. (Acts 2:42-43) The apostles devoted themselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word. (Acts 6:4)<\/p> When the apostles came under opposition, they lifted up their voices together to God and prayed for boldness, saying, \u201cGrant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.\u201d (Acts 4:23-30) And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:31) The apostles also selected ministers and prayed and laid their hands on them. (Acts 6:6) When Samaria had received the word of God, Peter and John came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. (Acts 8:14-15) They laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. (Acts 8:17) When a woman named Tabitha had died, Peter knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, \u201cTabitha arise.\u201d (Acts 9:36-40) After he opened her eyes, Peter called the saints and widows presenting her alive. (Acts 9:40-41) Paul also healed the sick by praying and the laying on of hands. (Acts 28:8-10)<\/p> It was while Peter was praying on a housetop that he had the vision to share the gospel with the Gentiles. (Acts 10:9-19) Correspondingly, while Cornelius, a devout man who prayed continually to God, was praying, an angel stood before him and directed him to assist Peter with his mission. (Acts 10:1-2, Acts 10:30-33) God coordinated the ministry of the gospel through ministers who were devoted to prayer. (Acts 14:23)<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t 49<\/sup> And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high<\/strong>.\u201d<\/span><\/p> 4<\/sup> And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father,<\/strong> which, he said, \u201cyou heard from me; 5<\/sup> for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p> 11<\/sup> and said, \u201cMen of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.\u201d 12<\/sup> Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13<\/sup> And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying<\/strong>, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James.\u00a014<\/sup> All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer<\/strong>, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.<\/p> 1<\/sup> When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2<\/sup> And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting<\/strong>. 3<\/sup> And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them<\/strong>. 4<\/sup> And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance<\/strong>.<\/p> 16<\/sup> But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: 42<\/sup> And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43<\/sup> And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles<\/strong>.<\/p> 23<\/sup> When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24<\/sup> And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said<\/strong>, \u201cSovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, 25<\/sup> who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, 4<\/sup> But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word<\/strong>.\u201d 5<\/sup> And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6<\/sup> These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them<\/strong>.<\/p> 14<\/sup> Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, 15<\/sup> who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit<\/strong>, 16<\/sup> for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17<\/sup> Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. 18<\/sup> Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money,<\/p>Mark 1:35 (ESV), He went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed<\/h3>
Mark 6:46 (ESV), He went up on the mountain to pray<\/strong><\/h3>
Luke 3:21-22 (ESV), When Jesus was praying, the Holy Spirit descended on him<\/h3>
Luke 4:14 (ESV), Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit<\/strong><\/h3>
Luke 5:16 (ESV), He would withdraw to desolate places and pray<\/strong><\/h3>
Luke 6:12 (ESV), All night he continued in prayer to God<\/strong><\/h3>
Luke 9:28-29 (ESV), He took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray<\/strong><\/h3>
Luke 11:1-4 (ESV), When you pray, say<\/strong><\/h3>
Luke 19:45-46 (ESV), It is written, \u2018My house shall be a house of prayer’<\/strong><\/h3>
Luke 22:39-46 (ESV), Not my will, but yours, be done<\/strong><\/h3>
Luke 23:46 (ESV), Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!<\/strong><\/h3>
The power that Jesus got from prayer<\/h2>
Luke 3:21-22 (ESV)<\/h3>
Luke 10:17-24 (ESV)<\/h3>
Luke 4:16-21 (ESV)<\/h3>
18<\/sup> \u201cThe Spirit of the Lord is upon me,<\/strong>
because he has anointed me<\/strong>
to proclaim good news to the poor<\/strong>.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives<\/strong>
and recovering of sight to the blind,<\/strong>
to set at liberty those who are oppressed<\/strong>,
19<\/sup> to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.\u201d
20<\/sup> And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21<\/sup> And he began to say to them, \u201cToday this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>Luke 5:17 (ESV)<\/h3>
Luke 6:18-19 (ESV), Power came out from him and healed them all<\/strong><\/h3>
Luke 8:44-46 (ESV)<\/h3>
Luke 9:1-2 (ESV)<\/h3>
Luke 10:9 (ESV)<\/h3>
Luke 22:43 (ESV)<\/h3>
Acts 10:37-38 (ESV)<\/h3>
John 1:51 (ESV)<\/h3>
Mark 9:28-29 (ESV)<\/h3>
The power of prayer in Acts<\/h2>
\u00a0Luke 24:49 (ESV), I am sending the promise of my Father upon you<\/h3>
Acts 1:4-5 (ESV), You will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now<\/strong><\/h3>
Acts 1:11-14 (ESV), All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer<\/strong><\/h3>
Acts 2:1-4 (ESV), They were all filled with the Holy Spirit<\/strong><\/h3>
Acts 2:16-18 (ESV), I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh<\/h3>
17<\/sup> \u201c\u2018And in the last days it shall be, God declares,<\/strong>
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh<\/strong>,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams;
18<\/sup> even on my male servants and female servants<\/strong>
in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy<\/strong>.<\/p>Acts 2:42-43 (ESV), They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, and the prayers<\/h3>
Acts 4:23-31 (ESV), When they had prayed, the place was shaken<\/strong><\/h3>
\u201c\u2018Why did the Gentiles rage,
and the peoples plot in vain?
26<\/sup> The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers were gathered together,
against the Lord and against his Anointed\u2019\u2014
27<\/sup> for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28<\/sup> to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. 29<\/sup> And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness<\/strong>, 30<\/sup> while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus<\/strong>.\u201d 31<\/sup> And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness<\/strong>.<\/p>Acts 6:4-6 (ESV), But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word<\/h3>
Acts 8:14-18 (ESV), Prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit<\/strong><\/h3>
Acts 9:36-43 (ESV), Peter knelt down and prayed; he said, \u201cTabitha, arise.\u201d<\/h3>