The Place of Prayer in Our Proclamation
Charles Stanley discusses the power of prayer in our proclamation of the Gospel in the world.
Introduction
- Prayer's role in the servant of God's life and ministry
- Prayer's place in the proclamation of God's Word
- Colossians 4
Scripture Reading
- Colossians 4:2-4
- Paul's exhortation to devote to prayer and his prayer requests
Paul's Prayer Requests
- Devote to prayer as a lifestyle
- Prayer for doors of opportunity to preach the gospel
- Prayer for clarity in presenting the truth effectively
The Importance of Prayer in Ministry
- The necessity of praying for opportunities to proclaim the gospel
- Encouragement to prepare oneself for the opportunities God provides
- Warning against laziness and negligence in preparation
Personal Testimonies and Illustrations
- Personal experiences of God's guidance in ministry opportunities
- Testimony of how God opens doors for those who are prepared and obedient
- Encouragement to trust God for placement in ministry
Preparation and Proclamation of the Word
- The priority of prayer in message preparation
- The importance of praying throughout the preparation process
- The difference between making an impression and making an impact
Practical Steps in Sermon Preparation
- Praying on one's knees as a vital part of sermon preparation
- The impact of prayer on the effectiveness and authenticity of preaching
- The danger of relying on intellect and eloquence instead of prayer and humility
Humility and Dependence on God
- The need for humility in ministry
- The dangers of pride and seeking approval
- Personal discipline in choosing death to performance and approval
Purity and Power in Preaching
- The inseparability of purity and power in preaching
- The necessity of a pure heart and life for impactful preaching
- Examples of how God humbles and teaches dependence on Him
Conclusion
- Encouragement to trust in God's grace and remain humble
- The call to depend on God for preparation and proclamation of His Word
- Final exhortation to pray for God's guidance and power in ministry
*The above summary is AI-generated, so discrepancies may exist. Please refer to the audio or video file to verify accuracy.
About the Contributors
Charles Stanley
Dr. Charles F. Stanley is senior pastor of First Baptist Church Atlanta and founder of In Touch Ministries, both located in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Stanley’s heart’s desire is to get the gospel to “as many people as possible, as quickly as possible, as clearly as possible, as irresistibly as possible, through the power of the Holy Spirit to the glory of God.” Because of this goal, Dr. Stanley’s teachings are transmitted as widely and effectively as possible. He can be heard weekly at First Baptist Church Atlanta, daily on “In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley” radio and television broadcasts on more than 2,800 stations around the world, on the Internet at intouch.org, and through the In Touch Messenger Lab. Dr. Stanley’s inspiring messages are also published in two award-winning publications-In Touch devotional and In Touch Magazine—as well as the more than sixty books he’s authored over the years.
Contributors
