Prayer Changes Things

June 2012

An email/newsletter ministry of Richard D. Swift, publishing the sermons of Rev.

Reed A. Swift (1899-1973), a holiness preacher

The following sermon was preached in the Free Methodist Churches of W.Hollywood,

California; Phoenix, Arizona; Lydiaville, Louisiana; Jonesville, Louisiana;

Grandbay, Alabama; and Chickasaw, Louisiana, respectively. The sermon notes are

handwritten on the backs of three different letters dated 1947. One of them is a

letter from The National Association for the Promotion of Holiness.

Prayer Changes Things

Matthew 18:19 "Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as

touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father

which is in heaven."

Introduction to Prayer:

1. When to Pray

2. How to Pray

3. For what shall we pray

4. Results or possibilities of prayer

"Go and pray- I will hear

This is a promise true,

You'll find 'Prayer Changes Things'

and changes people too."

James 5:17,18 Elijah prayed. "Elias was a man subject to like passions as we

are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the

earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the

heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit."

James 5:16 Effectual prayer. "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man

availeth much."

Jeremiah 29:12 Pray unto me. "Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and

pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you."

Psalm 145:19 Our desires. "He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he

also will hear their cry, and will save them."

Read "No Time to Pray" in Free Methodist paper

1. When to Pray

As I have said before, most people wait until they are in trouble before they

will pray earnestly. "But men ought always to pray and not faint."

Early in the morning is an ideal time to pray if at all possible. make your

opportunities for prayer. Most people say they are too busy. Daniel was a busy

man but he prayed three times a day.

We cannot do our best until we are at our best spiritually, and that will only

come by earnest and consistent prayer. Have a time and place to pray and pray

until victory comes.

2. How to Pray

Have a system to your prayer life, a time and a place.

Pray in the Spirit, whether loud or quiet when praying in private.

Ephesians 6:18 "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit."

John 4:24 "God is a Spirit, and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit

and in Truth."

It's one thing to pray at all, and another thing to pray in the Spirit and get

our prayers through. Some just say words. Shut out the world and "continue

instant in prayer."

We must have programs, but the most essential is prayer. We must have preaching,

but the most essential is prayer.

Prayer means to come into contact with God. This is most important. Then we may

have power with God and with man.

We must approach God in honesty. Have faith in God. Remember that He is merciful

and no respector of persons. We may make prayer a most interesting thing.

3. For what shall we pray?

Make a list of prayer requests. Make a list of what God has done about it.

If you continue instant in prayer, you will have constant and continued victory

over the world, the flesh and the devil. (Tribulations, victory for the

salvation of your cchildren, and every problem.)

Prayer will challenge you.

Pray definitely and report answers.

Have something worth praying for to inspire prayer.

How long has it been since you prayed clear through to where you knew God heard

you?

The only way I know for you to get your prayers answered is to be a consistent

Christian. Read James 5:16-18 again.

4. The Possibilities of Prayer

In Acts 3, Peter and John had time and place to pray and a habit of prayer three

times a day. And on their way to the temple to pray, they found a lame man at

the gate of the temple, and he was healed. I think if we went to prayer more

often today we would find more souls we could we help.

Read 1st Kings 17:1; 18:37-45; James 5:17,18; 2nd Kings 4:32-37; 19:35

Prayer warriors are needed. Intercessors in prayer are needed. Romans 8:26 and

Isaiah 59:16

Why is it the devil trembles when he sees the weakest saint upon his knees? He

knows the mighty power of God to defeat him in answer to prayer!

Notice the things of Abraham's prayer for the cities of the plains. God is

willing to listen patiently to importunate prayer. Moses prayed to save Israel

from extermination. And the Word says, "And the Lord repented of the evil which

He thought to do unto His people." (His enemies in one sense).

Jacob received a remarkable answer to prayer when he prayed all night.

Jesus said, "Ask and ye shall recieve."

For healing;

1. Numerous and of great variety

2. Instantaneous

3. No failure

Lepers- Sick healed of every disease. No hard cases. Mothers and fathers have

prayed their children out of hell. It is our privilege!

There is Power in Prayer!

Prayer Changes Things!

[This conludes my grandfather's prayer. Folks we cannot go wrong by praying with

faith. Someone said, "unanswered prayer is because of one of two things:

imperfect obedience or imperfect faith." At our recent campmeeting, Brother

Jarratt preached a message about Appropriating Faith. That kind of faith with

prayer will change things!]

Yours for Radical Holiness,

Richard D. Swift

505 Hickory Hills Dr

Dexter Missouri 63841

573-625-9535