Sermon Notes 2/26 – Paul’s Prayer – Ephesians 1:15-22

Paul was a man of prayer

Paul lived in insulas – not a great environment and place to live

         PAUL LEARNED SOME THINGS ABOUT PRAYER

1.) PAUL LEARNED THAT THE TIME TO PRAY IS ALL THE TIME – 1 Thess 5:16-22

Pray without ceasing for this is the will of God

It is the will of the Lord that we pray

Pray during good time and during bad times

       Why did Paul pray all of the time

a. Paul knew that the Lord limits Himself to the prayers of the church – 2 Chr 7:14

– if the church prays, the Lord moves

b. Paul knew that the Lord hears and answers all of our prayers – Daniel 10:4-12

“From the first day” – Daniel 10:12

1 John 5:14-15…Psalm 66:17-20…Jeremiah 33:3 & 29:12-13

Erase Doubt

Eliminate Unbelief

Embrace a Promise that says the Lord hears and answers your prayers

2. Paul Learned that we need the restrainers to start restraining – 2 Thess 2:1-10

verse 1 – coming – is the personal return of Jesus Christ

             – gathering together is the rapture

verse 2 – do not be thrown off balance

verse 3 – the day of the Lord is the return of Jesus Christ

          2 Events Must Happen Before Jesus Returns

-there will be a falling away

-the antichrist will be revealed

vs7-9 – the mystery of lawlessness – is the spirit of Antichrist that is already at work in the world

v7 – the Holy Spirit will use the church and prayer to hold back evil & wickedness

-the enemy will therefore diminish the importance of prayer and attack those who do pray