When God’s People Pray Together

I want to start out by I know I've done this before, but it seems appropriate just to say thank you to this congregation.

Um there's many prayers that go off on my behalf and it's um really appreciated and I'm saying this because it actually ties in with the message that I'm giving today. And um they do make a positive impact. They really make a positive impact to know that people are praying for you. So I know some of you are pray on a very regular basis as in daily or weekly.

I had a phone call last night from a man across the country who prays for me regularly and so he just phoned and just wanted to check up on me. It's very humbling. [clears throat] Uh a few months ago, Mr. Ken LS gave a message um I think his title was what makes a healthy spiritual family and he keyed off on four things.

I'd like to start in the same place and then focus on one of those today. Go a little bit more in depth, I guess. So, four things and and there was four things you Let's go to Acts two. Acts chapter 2 and we see here four things that are the way I would is four things that a church shares together. So, Acts chapter 2 and we'll read verses 41 and 42.

It says, "Then those who were who gladly received his word were baptized." And we we heard a little bit about baptism in the first message. So, so those who were gladly re th those who gladly received his word were baptized. And that day about 3,000 souls were added to them. So this is a real growth period in the church.

We we refer to as the first century church or the beginning of the church. And then notice verse 42. And this is where um the four points that Mr. L brought out in the sermon. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine. Right? So they continued steadfastly in truth and doctrine.

And notice it wasn't any truth. It was the apostles doctrine. So it has to come from God's word. They continued steadfastly in fellowship. They continued steadfastly in the breaking of bread. And they continued steadfastly in prayer. So we have these four items that they the church continued steadfastly in and as Mr.

LS brought out um these are four things that make a healthy spiritual family. So I'd like to focus on one of these. So obviously we know that you could cover all four of these in one message because that was done and I believe you could cover break it down to four messages but I'm not able to do a sermon series. So I'm going to focus on number four.

So the title of the message today is we share prayer together. We share prayer together. So we see the first century church did this and this is something that we also do. Um let's go to Acts back a chapter. Acts one. So before we had that dramatic um the dramatic Pentecost in Acts two, Acts one, you notice what they were already doing.

Acts Acts 1:14, these all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication with the woman and Mary, the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. So there was there was a group there. There was the the um a group of the disciples there and they were praying together, right? Because a tumultuous um time in the church in some ways we can look at it and with joy as was brought out in the sermon sermonet.

But Jesus Christ had been crucified [snorts] just a few weeks earlier. So they were there, right? They were supporting each other. [snorts] Now, as I said in in my opening comments, I have um personally been the recipient or maybe rather I have felt the positive impact of prayers from the church where I've physically emotionally felt boosted and spiritually where I've been able to pause and think, hm, I think someone's praying for me right now.

It's very powerful. Let's go to James 5. James 5. [snorts] James 5 15- 16. It says, "And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven." And it says, "Confess your trespasses to one another and pray for one another that you may be healed.

" So, we pray for each other, right? And we we pray as a group. Very often at announcement times, there's prayer requests that are given. And so, then we write them down and collectively we pray. There are times when people get together in little groups and pray as a group. They're physically together [snorts] and it's very powerful and it makes a big impact.

So I'd like to bring out four points today. So I can I can count them on one hand. Four points about that we pray together. [snorts] Okay. Okay. So, point number one. Point number one, God knows what he's doing. God knows what he's doing. Now, your initial response could be I don't want to put thoughts in totally in your minds, but your initial response will like, well, obviously God God knows what he's doing.

But this point can also be a tough one, right? There are times when we maybe I should speak for myself. There are times when I've said really God is that I'm not I'm not sure if that was the best way to go. [snorts] Now, I I just had scans on Thursday and [snorts] um the scans seem to be I'm stable, which is a lot better than if I was things were growing.

So, there's still a little bit of cancer in my liver and some in my lungs still. Just so that you've got a little bit of update there. So, it's still there, but I'm up here speaking to you. I'm speaking to God's people. What a blessing. So, there may have been some people praying this week, please help Daniel this week, cuz we'd rather hear Daniel speak than that other guy.

No, you've got to have some humor as well, don't you? I like humor. Okay. So number one, now how can I want to illustrate this. You remember the story of Lazarus. Let's go to John 11. Now I understand this wasn't a um a prayer request that had gone out as such. Christ did pray to the father right at the end of the story there.

But there was a request that was sent out for Jesus Christ. Please come to us quickly. Let's look at this. So John John 11, and we'll pick up in verse three. Says, "Therefore the sisters sent to him saying, Lord, behold, he whom you love is sick." Just pause and think about that. He whom you love is sick.

Have you ever prayed to God like that? Have you ever prayed, "I'm praying on behalf of this man or this woman whom you love." [snorts] When Jesus heard that, he said, "The sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it. >> [snorts] >> And then it says, "Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.

" So he loved the whole family. So when he heard that he was sick, what did Mary and Martha want? Right? They'd sent this request out. They wanted him to come, didn't they? He stayed two more days in the place where he was. What? Right. There's a questioning right away, isn't there? He stayed two more days in the place that he was. But hold on.

This is the man you love. >> [snorts] >> Then after this he said to the disciples let us go up to Judea again. So it wasn't going directly then even after the two days let us go up to Judea again. The disciples said to him rabbi later the Jews sought to stone you and are going and you were going there again.

So there's all these dynamics happening, but he's not. What is the fastest route to get to Mary and Martha and Lazarus? Let's pick it up again in um drop down to verse 17. So when Jesus came, he found that he'd already been dead in the tomb 4 days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about 2 miles away. So he's still 2 miles away. He's so close, right? I think I can still on a good day walk two miles.

Verse 19. And many of the Jews had joined the woman around Martha and Mary to comfort them concerning their brother. Don't you think that's wonderful? The community had come together and were comforting Mary and Martha. They were there giving them that support. Right? We do that in various ways today, don't we? Sometimes we start getting meals together because sometimes when you're in grief, getting yourself a nutritious meal is low on your priorities.

And it's a it's a physical tangible way to help. These people were there. [snorts] Verse 20. Then Martha as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming went and met him. But Mary was sitting in the house. So one of the sisters went. [snorts] Martha went. So she traveled that two miles. Then Martha said to Well, I'm assuming it was two miles because the feeling is that Christ wasn't in this rush to get there.

Then Martha said to Jesus, 'Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. Now just pause and think about that. What faith, what tremendous belief from Martha. She said, "If you had been here, my brother would not have died." Wow. Tremendous faith, but it's still questioning, isn't it? This is not a lack of faith.

This is just like well if you if you you know there's a questioning here you know had Martha heard he he he was stayed two days where he was had she heard her brother's been dead for 4 days [snorts] but even now I know that whatever you ask of God will give you again. Tremendous faith. And Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again.

" Martha said to him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." So, this is tremendous faith in God's plan of salvation that we had an outline of in the sermonet. Incredible. Look at the faith and the trust and the belief that Martha has. And Jesus said to her,"I am the resurrection and the life.

" So there's an I am statement right here. Powerful. [snorts] He who believes in me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this? Could you just think about that? [snorts] You're basically you're questioning Jesus and he's saying, "Do you believe this? This is really and you imagine you think about all the emotion that is happening here and you have Jesus looking directly at you right in your right to your eyes says do you believe this? She said to him, "Yes, Lord. I believe

that you are the Christ, the son of God, who is to come into the world." Again, tremendous faith and belief just like we have, isn't it? [snorts] And and as was mentioned, um sometimes there's extra trials that f that come up this time of year for you, for for us. [snorts] And when she had said these things, she went her way and secretly called Mary, her sister, saying, "The teacher has come and is calling for you.

" So now Mary goes. [snorts] As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly and came to him. Now Jesus had not yet come into the town. Again, he's not rushing in there, [snorts] but was in the place where Martha met him. Then the Jews who were with her in the house and comforting her when they saw that Mary rose up quickly and went out.

Remember her sister had just told her secretly privately followed her saying she is going to the tomb to weep there right a natural thing that [snorts] Mary would be doing. Then when Mary came there, Jesus where Jesus was and saw him, she fell down at his feet saying to him, what did she say? [snorts] Almost the same thing that Martha had said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.

" Again, tremendous faith, but still the questioning. Isn't that what we do, right? We we have we're full of faith and belief. We understand God's plan of salvation, but there's still the question. Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, [snorts] right? And and Jesus had compassion, didn't he? And the Jews came with her weeping.

He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. And he said, "Where have you laid him?" Right? He didn't go through the way he went so directly with Martha. Right? He knew the right way. Seems like Martha needed what? One way and then Mary just needed to cry and weep. Where have you laid him? They said to him, "Lord, come and see." Jesus wept.

All right, that was one of again this is the power and emotion on this whole situation. Then the Jews said see how he loved him. [snorts] So the Jews that were there giving the comfort see how he loved him. And some of them said, "Could not this man," again just this is all the people around there, "Could not this man [snorts] who opened the eyes of the blind," right? Which is a someone born blind from from birth was one of those miracles that only the Messiah could perform.

Could not this man who opened the eyes of the blind also have kept this man from dying? So you got the same questions [snorts] right now. You got the collective question. Could not this man have saved him and not had him die. And you know then what happens? Jesus again groaning with himself came to the tomb and he says he prays and he says to Lazarus to rise incredible powerful but at the time it's like wasn't it saying Jesus there was a better way you could have done It's a I could spend a lot more time on

this chapter, but just that emotion and the tremendous faith, the belief. Let's go to another example. 2 Corinthians. [snorts] So, we know the outcome there that Lazarus does did rise. I don't know how many extra years he was given. 2 Corinthians 12. So this is still point number one. God knows what he is doing.

2 Corinthians 12 8 and 9. [snorts] >> [clears throat] >> So this is where [snorts] Paul had a thorn in the flesh and Paul is writing this in a letter to the Corinthian church. So the way it reads, it's almost like Paul is giving the Corinthian church an update on this. It's worded as a thorn in the flesh.

Now we've speculated in the church what that is. It doesn't actually really tell us what was happening with Paul, but it was something enough. It was it was a concern for big enough that Paul prayed earnestly about it. And I believe he may have shared because now he's basically giving an update in a way to the Corinthian church about his condition.

So, it's something that Paul did not want to have. So, let's pick it up in verse 8 concerning this thing. I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. Now, what what it says, I pleaded three times with the Lord. How do you think Paul prayed to those others that knew about this? Whatever Paul had, do you think they also prayed earnestly? Did they want to hear more powerful messages given by the Apostle Paul? Did they want to be encouraged by the letters that Paul sent? Did they want this taken away? Whatever

it was, Paul, it says he he said he he pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. So, this is something Paul did not want. It was, I would say, something that was causing him pain. It was causing him discomfort. I think it was making it harder likely for him to travel. I'm I've got a little bit of guessing in there, I guess, reading into it.

And then he says, and he said to me, so God somehow told Paul, my grace is is sufficient for you. Now, is that what Paul's praying for? I I don't think it was God had revealed to him and he says, "For my strength is made perfect in weakness." [snorts] And then you have the statement from Paul. What a statement. Paul says, "Therefore, most gladly, most gladly, I will rather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

" [snorts] Now, how did Paul come to that? Well, God had to reveal and say, "My grace is sufficient for you." Did Did Paul come to this before he prayed the first time? I I don't think so. Did he pray Did he come to this incredible point after he prayed the first time? Well, no, because he prayed two more times.

So, it wasn't after the second time. So, it was after the third time that he had prayed, crying out to God, right? His request was to take this from me. And God said, "No, my grace is sufficient for you. God knows what he's doing." Now, we can speculate and we can think about all sorts of things. Did it make [snorts] did this cause Paul to be more compassionate? I don't know.

I would think so. Did it cause him to to give more inspiring letters to write more inspiring letters that we have today? Maybe. Did it help in ways that almost intangible that I'd be speculating, but it certainly helped him focus on that the power of Christ may rest upon me. [snorts] And then he goes on to say, "Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities.

" Now, I got to say, I can I struggle with raising my hand high. I take pleasure in infirmities. Paul came to that point. Incredible. Okay. So, point number one, God knows what he's doing. Point number two, do not be surprised when God says yes, and I put enthusiasm on that. Did you notice? [snorts] Right.

I think I believe there are times when God hears our prayers individually and collectively and he says, "I like that prayer. I've seen it. or that God answers beyond what we expect. I've prayed, my wife and I have prayed at times, and I think God said, "I like what you're saying, but I want to bless and give you more than what you expect." [snorts] Okay, let's go to Acts 12.

Do not be surprised when God says yes. Acts 12 Acts 12 and verse [snorts] uh let's see verse five [snorts] and Mr. LS um went to this verse in that previous sermon I referred to. [snorts] It says, "Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer, constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. Constant prayer.

What does that mean?" constant prayer was offered for Peter by the church. Now, does that mean every hour of the day there was prayer going up? [snorts] I I I don't know. It says constant prayer. So, it seems that way. So were there some people waking up you know like in the Psalms it talks about the night watchers were there people waking up and and then they say Peter's still in prison and they started praying [snorts] were people you know doing tag okay your time to rest my time to pray I don't know but it says constant prayer now why was there such prayer this is a

definitely collective prayer happening here. Why was this prayer going up on behalf of Peter? Well, if you go back a few verses, you see that James had just been killed. He just been murdered. Had been murdered by King Herod. And the reaction from a big part of the a big group of the people when James was killed was enthusiasm.

Oh yes. But the people in the church and then what happens? Then he grabs Peter and puts him in prison. So this is a this is a stressful time in the church, right? This is still really a fledging fledgling church. with with some of the people thinking James was just murdered. The future of the church is on the line right now because what did Herod want to do? He was holding him in prison and then he wanted to do the same thing and have Peter executed.

So do you think there were fervent prayers going up in this situation? [snorts] Okay, let's [snorts] let's keep reading this. It says, "And when Herod was remember there's constant prayer going up for Peter who was in prison. And when Herod was about to bring him out that night, Peter was sleeping. I I want you to just think about the Peter. Just pause a little bit here.

Peter was sleeping. What does it say about Peter? He wasn't anxious and worried. He was able to sleep. Again, tremendous inc. He was in prison. James had already been killed, murdered, executed, however you want to say it. and he's able to sleep. He was bound with two chains between two soldiers. Now, I think that likely means the two soldiers were chained to Peter on each side.

[snorts] Okay, this is high security here. Then there were guards at the door. Then there were guards at the guard post and the next guard post. This is high security prison Roman style. Peter was sleeping. [snorts] Now behold an angel. Verse 7, right? And and you can see what I just said to you. You know between two verse six and the guards before the door were keeping the prison.

And then later on the story, they go through guard posts. Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him and a light shone in the prison. [snorts] Now, this is a special sort of light because it doesn't wake everybody up, but it's shone in the prison. [snorts] And he struck Peter on the side. [snorts] You can tell me later if you've been struck on the side by an angel.

>> [snorts] >> He was Peter was struck on the side and raised him up saying arise quickly and his chains fell of his hands. So my assumption is he was chained to the guards but even if he was chained to a to a rock or block they fell from his hands. Then the angel said to him, "Guard yourself and tie on your sandals.

" So he did and he said to him, "Put on your garments and follow me." So this is all happening very quickly. Now this is a just a high stress situation, right? Peter's in prison and now some comedy comes in, [snorts] right? To break the anxiety part of the story. I I said I like humor. You couldn't write this comedy skit skit that follows and it's very serious but it's also hilarious what happens now because Peter remember he's woken up and have you ever have you ever woken up in the middle of the night and you're a little bit dozy and you're like oh I

I've got to go whatever it is do this and then you go back to sleep and you're like and you're thinking Was I awake or was I just dreaming that? Well, Peter is in a It seems to be like he's in a bit of a groggy dream dream state even though he's actually been struck on the side by angel. He gets up. You know me, I'd be like, "Uh, what do you want me to do?" Right? Gird yourself.

put your sandals on and your garments and follow me. So he went out and followed him and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they were past the first and the second guard posts, right, that's how I knew [snorts] there was two guard posts. They came to the iron gate that leads to the city which opens to them of its which opened of its own accord.

And they went out and went down one street. And immediately the angel departed from him. Right? So the angel wasn't there chithatting. There's some indicators. [snorts] If it's an angel, they're not going to sit around and chitchat with you. They got a job to do. The job was to get Peter out of prison. And we did when Peter had come to himself.

So it wasn't until he was right out of the prison that he's like, "Wow, that really happened." I I love the word he came to himself. [snorts] And he said, "Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent his angel and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from the expectation of the Jewish people." What was the expectation of the Jewish people? That he was going to be executed.

>> [snorts] >> So when he had considered this, so I don't know how long he paused for in the middle of the night, but I think he's fully wide awake now. [snorts] And when he considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John, whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying.

So there is a prayer group at this house [snorts] and that's not the only people praying but there's a group of people that are praying for Peter. [snorts] Their whole focus is Peter is in prison and we're collectively praying for him. And I don't think it's understating it to say right the the future of the church is on the line here.

[snorts] And as Peter knocked at the gate, a girl named Roa came to answer. Now that it gets really funny now. It's almost like you've you had this high stress situation and now we've got the comedy relief. So, there's a knock. Roa, this young girl comes to the door. I don't know if we've got a young girl in the audience today that could play the part of Roa.

But verse 14, and when she recognized Peter's voice because of her gladness, why was she so glad? Because they've been praying for Peter who's in prison, but now he's at the gate. She did not open the gate. Just think about it. It's Peter. Woo. She didn't open the gate for him. Have you left somebody standing at your front door or your front gate because you're so excited that they're visiting you? They've come to see you.

But ran in and announced that Peter stood before the gate. [snorts] Okay. What were they praying about? Peter's in prison. Roa, Peter's at the gate. And then they say basically, are you dafted girl? Right. The the uh King James says, you are beside yourself. In my Kiwi language, that'd be are you dafted? Have you lost your mind? it can't be Peter because we're praying for him and he's in prison.

[snorts] And yet she kept insisting that it was so. So they said, "Is it his angel?" Just pause and think. They're praying for Peter who's in prison, and they believe that's more likely that it's his angel than it could be Peter himself, right? because it's impossible to get Peter out of prison. Okay, so there you're crazy girl. You're dafted.

Have you lost your mind? Maybe it's his angel. And what's happening in the background? Verse 16. Now Peter continued knocking. And when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. Isn't this what they were praying about? They were astonished. God had said to their prayer, "Yes." And he'd perform miracles for Peter to get out of prison.

Miracles were performed. And then I this is again [snorts] they're like it can't be him. It can't be him Peter. Then they want to yell and they want to they just want to start celebrating and Peter has to say okay sh quiet. So they go from it can't be Peter to and they want to start I think pro you know at the top of their voices almost because it says they were astonished but motioning verse 17 but motioning to them with his hand to keep silent he declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison right and

I imagine everybody was just like you know silent then listening just totally captivated by the story the miracles that had been performed for him to come out of prison him out of the prison and he said go tell these things to James and to the brethren and he departed and went to another place.

So there was this group of people praying at this one house but he said go and tell the others who are also praying. So this is a whole church praying about this situation. [snorts] So do not be surprised when God says yes or answers beyond what we expect. So number one, God knows what he's doing. Number two, do not be surprised when God says yes.

Number three, point number three is give thanksgiving to God. Now, do you think this group that had been praying for Peter, do you think there was prayers of thanksgiving that went out? I think there was tremendous as they got word out to J to the to the others. [snorts] Give thanksgiving. There was so many verses that we could read.

Let's read some of them. Colossians 4:es 2 and 3. Colossians 4:es 2 and 3. [snorts] Colossians chapter 4 and we'll read verses 2 and 3. It says, "Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant." Does that sound like this group that were praying for Peter? Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.

Meanwhile, praying also for us that God would open to us a door for the word for which I also am in chains. So now [snorts] Paul is in chains. [snorts] So earnest prayers would have been gone up from the church at Colassi. 2 Corinthians chapter 1:es 9-3 verse nine of of chapter 1 2 Corinthians Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead

who delivered us from so great a death and does not deliver us in whom we trust that he will still deliver us. [snorts] Unpack that one, right? Isn't that really what was happening with Lazarus? You also helping together in prayer for us that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many.

the gift granted to us through many. I believe I'm able to speak right now because the gift granted by many. 2 Corinthians 9. [snorts] Verse 15. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift. Indescribable gift. Right. This is something that we can collectively rejoice about leading up to Passover time. [snorts] Indescribable gift.

Psalm 95. And verse two, Psalm [snorts] 95. Psalm 95 and verse. Let's pick up the one verse. Verse two. [snorts] Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving. Let us shout joyfully to him with psalms. Right? [snorts] And when we sing psalms together collectively, don't we as well. We're singing praises, we're singing joyfully. And we pray in that manner.

[snorts] Let's go to Luke 17. I mean, it's obvious all the verses that talk about giving thanks, but does God want thanks? Did Did Jesus want thanks when he walked on this earth? Luke 17, remember the the 10 lepers that were healed and it [snorts] was a foreigner. I believe a Samaritan is the is the only one of the 10 that came back and gave thanks.

>> [snorts] >> um chapter 17 11. Now it happened as he went to Jerusalem that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. Then as he entered a certain village, there met him 10 men who were lepers who stood a far off. Right? A terrible disease, [snorts] a crippling disease and one that kicked you out of the social connection.

You were outcast. [snorts] And they lifted up their voices and said, "Jesus, master, have mercy on us." So when he saw them, he said to them, "Go show yourselves to the priests." And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed. Now, just a little side point. Why did he say to them, "Go show yourselves to the priests?" [snorts] Because obviously Christ could say, "You're healed.

" [snorts] But he also said, "Go show yourself to the priest." so that then they would have be brought back into the social society. So there was physical healing and he's also concerned with social and emotional healing for these men so they could be accepted back in and no longer be outcasts. So, so verse 15, now one of them when he saw that he was healed returned with a loud voice glor and he glorified God and fell down on his face at his feet giving him thanks and he was a Samaritan.

So Jesus answered and said, "Were there not 10 cleansed? But where are the nine? [snorts] Does God want 100% thanks thanks thanksgiving not 10%. So Jesus said, so Jesus answered, right? Were there not 10 cleansed, but were the nine? Were there not any found who glor who turned to give glory to God except this foreigner? And then notice this part in verse 19.

And he said to him, arise, go your way way. Your faith has made you well. I want you to just pause and think about that. He says, your faith has made you well. How do you know that? Because the man came back and gave thanks. [snorts] So giving thanks to God is one way that shows our faith. Very powerful.

[snorts] Romans 1 vers 21. Romans 1 and verse 21. >> [snorts] >> Romans 1 verse 21. It says, "Because although they knew God," just pause and think. This is people that knew God, they did not glorify him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Just pause [snorts] and think about what's in that verse.

People that knew God but failed to give thanks resulted in their hearts being darkened. [snorts] They became futile in their thoughts. So [snorts] giving thanks helps our thoughts stay on track. It helps us recognize where this these blessings come from. [snorts] It's very important. And there's so many verses.

[snorts] Let's go to a few more. Um Psalm 116. Psalm 116. And I love the wording here on this one. Psalm 116 and verse 17 it says, "I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and will call upon the name of the Lord." Just pause and think about that. Do [snorts] you ever think about giving sacrifices to God? One thing we can do leading up to Passover, just tying into this the first message again, [snorts] we can give a sacrifice of thanksgiving.

I just love that. I love that wording. A sacrifice of thanksgiving to the Lord. [snorts] Okay, a couple more verses on this point. 2 Corinthians 4:15. 2 Corinthians 4 and verse1 15. 2 Corinthians 4:15. For all things are for your sakes. That grace, right? We've heard about grace in this message, haven't we? My grace is sufficient sufficient for you.

For all things are for your sakes. that grace having spread through the many may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. Right? Thanksgiving is to the glory of God. [snorts] Christ mentioned that there were things happened so that the father would be glorified. When we give thanksgiving to God, it's to the glory of God.

I'm trying to emphasize how important thanksgiving to God is in prayer and when it's collectively right when we share prayer together collectively like it's really nice to be able to collectively say thank you God for the blessing that happened right Peter getting out of prison thank you for and there's a collective thanksgiving.

It says that it may spread. Okay. 1 Thessalonians 5:18. One. One more on this point. Move. Sometimes I move so fast through God's word I go right past where I'm going to. First first Thessalonians 5:18. Actually, [snorts] let's let's start in verse 16. It says, "Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing in everything.

Give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." And I believe the next verse it says, "Do not quench the spirit." One way you could quench the spirit is by not in everything give thanks. For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Because we already read the verse about their hearts were darkened when they failed to give thanks.

I I I can't I cannot overemphasize how important give thanksgiving to God is. Okay, so point one, God knows what he's doing. Two, do not be surprised when God says yes. Number three, give thanksgiving to God. And then number four is peace that comes through prayers. Now you can go directly and ask God for his peace. You can ask it directly.

But I think there's also and intrinsically part of your our prayers, our individual and our collective prayers. When we go to God and we pray to God and we give our burdens to God, there is a peace that comes even when we don't directly ask. When we give thanksgiving to God, there is a peace that comes. Colossians 3.

Colossians 3 and verse 15. Colossians 3:15. and let the peace of God rule in your hearts to which you also were called in one body and be thankful. Right? So the peace of God is connected here with being thankful again. And you were called in one body. So it's that collective peace that can happen individually and collectively. Psalm 29:11.

Psalm 29 and verse 11. The Lord will give strength to his people. The Lord will bless his people with peace. So the the four points, God knows what he's doing. Do not be surprised when God says yes. Give thanksgiving to God. And this fourth point is peace that comes through prayers. Let's finish with God's word.

Philippians 4. One more verse to finish this up. Let's go to Philippians 4. verses 5-7. Now, I'll give you some speculation. [snorts] Could the Apostle Paul, was he able to write this letter and write these words which we're about to read together collectively because God didn't take away a thorn in his flesh? speculation on my part, but let's read what it says.

Actually, let's start in verse four. Says, "Rejoice in the Lord always." Again, I will say, "Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your request be known to God. And verse seven, and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ.