21 Days Of Prayer And Fasting (day 18) by Bishop David Oyedepo: MP3 Download & Sermon Notes

Prayer and Fasting: The Life-Wire of Every Growing Church

Building a strong prayer culture — not merely a prayer group where the pastor stays home and sends "prayer contractors" to pray — is the only way to build a strong and ever-growing church. It is also what secures the great future of every believer.

• Abraham was the devoted, persistent intercessor, blessed to the last moment of his life in all things.
• Daniel prayed three times a day and, because God served him continually, was delivered from the mouths of lions. Even unbelievers recognized him as a celebrated servant of God (Daniel 6:10).
• Moses the prayer warrior spent forty days with God, so that his face shone and could not be looked upon. God said, "I speak to him face to face."

The Prayer Culture of the Early Church

Acts 2:46-47 — They continued daily with one accord in the temple, breaking bread from house to house with gladness and singleness of heart, and the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. One accord in the temple equals prayer.

The church is built upon the foundation of apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone — our standard is not human technique or philosophy, but the example of the early church.

• John 7:37-39 — If any man thirst, let him come to Me and drink; out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. A thirst of the soul is required to receive the Spirit.
• Luke 24:49 — Tarry until endued with power from on high; so they went and tarried in prayer, and the church was born of prayer.
• Psalm 2:8 — Ask of Me and I will give you the heathen for an inheritance. You must make demand before you can experience the increase.
• Acts 3:1 — Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer. They kept a scheduled prayer life, and that gave the church her place.
• Acts 4:29 — After being threatened, they prayed for boldness and for signs and wonders to be done — and signs erupted. Many will never believe apart from signs and wonders, so we pray for them; we don't merely wait for them.
• Acts 5:12 — By the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were wrought, and more men and women were added to the church. Peter's shadow healed the sick as he walked the street.
• Acts 6 — They gave themselves to prayer and the ministry of the word, so the word of God increased and the number of disciples multiplied greatly.

The Difference Between a Prayer Culture and a Prayer Group

• Acts 8:14-19 — They went and prayed and laid hands on new converts, and they received the Holy Ghost.
• Colossians 1:9 — Paul prayed that believers might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, so new converts could be established in their faith.
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Bishop David Oyedepo
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• Colossians 4:12 — Epaphras labored fervently in prayer for the church, that they might stand perfect and complete in the will of God. There is no technique for retaining new converts apart from spiritual warfare.
• Galatians 4:19 — "My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you." Every member of the body, not the pastor alone, must engage in praying for the establishment of new converts.
• Acts 12:5 — Prayer was made without ceasing by the church for Peter, and God answered by sending an angel to set him free.
• Ephesians 6:18-19 — Pray always, with all prayer and supplication, watching with all perseverance for all saints — including for pastors to speak boldly.
• Philippians 1:19 — Paul knew his trial would turn to his salvation through the prayer of the saints and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

A Culture of Fasting

Acts 13:1-3 — The leaders at Antioch ministered to the Lord and fasted; fasting was a delight to them, part of their nature, not a means of manipulating God. Paul said he was "in fastings often."

James 5:13 — Is any afflicted? Let him pray. Is any sick? Let him call for the elders to anoint and pray over him. Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises in prison, and the foundation of the prison shook — you can pray your way out of any prison.

Paul's own prayer culture is still speaking today, 2,000 years later:

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• Romans 1:9 — Without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers.
• Ephesians 3:14 — For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
• 1 Corinthians 14:14-15,18 — I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:17 — Pray without ceasing.

Jesus, Our Perfect Example

He began His mission with prayer and finished His mission with prayer.

• Luke 3:21 — As He was being baptized and praying, the heavens opened.
• Luke 6:12-13 — He continued all night in prayer before selecting His twelve apostles.
• Luke 22:39-45 — He prayed until His sweat fell like great drops of blood.
• Luke 18:1 — Men ought always to pray and not to faint.
• Luke 18:8 — When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith — the kind of persistent prayer life He taught?

Every growing, healthy church must build a strong prayer culture to keep growing and remain impactful. If a church stops its weekly fast, in no time the church will stagnate; if it stops praying, it gives room to the enemy. Prayer is a win-win — you are not praying to help somebody else; you are praying to secure your own glorious destiny in Christ.

Fasting without prayer is religious punishment — "Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer." Fasting without the word is a hunger strike, for God's word is food indeed.