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 A Prayer Guidebook for Churches and Associations
Hearing from God requires prayer and Bible study. The spiritual decline of North America indicates we have lost our way. The United States and Canada are in desperate need of revival.
A prayer leader wrote, "There is clearly a need for revival within the church that brings about a tangible demonstration of personal and corporate holiness. Until individual Christians and the church demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit in every aspect of personal and corporate life, the world about us will see no benefit to a spiritual awakening that involves Jesus Christ as Lord and only Savior."
The only true guide is Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit as revealed in His Word. Here are five reminders from the Word that can help believers to hear the call to prayer that results in revival.
A. Called to the Priority of Prayer
Imagine the consequences of every church and every person receiving specific, biblical, prayer, and witness. Like the malicious star of C.S. Lewis’ Screwtape Letters, Satan is constantly working to diminish the priority of fervent, biblical, and righteous prayer. He has tricked us to push prayer to the periphery instead of the priority. Many prayer leaders see this as the heart of the problem. Prayer has to remain a priority or it immediately moves to the sidelines.
A pastor and his wife came up during a break with tears in his eyes. "I knew something was missing. I knew that there was more to church growth than hard work and commitment. What we need is the priority of prayer."
1. Prayer was an obvious priority in the life and ministry of Jesus. Matthew, Mark and Luke record that Jesus went to the mountain to pray (See Matt. 14:27, Mark 6:46, Luke 6:12). John 17 gives a wonderful example of the priority Christ placed on prayer. In Luke 18:1 Jesus taught that His followers should "pray and not lose heart."
On the verge of despair, a DOM prayed and wept late into the night. The Spirit brought him to Luke 18:1. "There was the verse. Even though I had read it many times before, it seemed brand new. ‘Pray and not lose heart.’ The living Word of God rightly divided my need. The Holy Comforter led me back to prayer and a hunger for God’s Word. I stayed. Satan did not get the victory. This is still a tough place to serve but I have rediscovered the spiritual resources I need."
2. Prayer was a priority to the early church. The phenomenal growth of the early church was Spirit-led and prayer-empowered. The early believers recognized that revival and spiritual growth were "not by power nor by might but by my Spirit says the Lord of hosts" (See Zach. 4:6). Acts 1:14 records that the early disciples of Christ "all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication." In Acts 6:1-4 the first deacons were called to allow the twelve to give themselves "continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word." Could it be that the primary assignment of Spiritual leadership is to be devoted to prayer and Bible Study?
As a prayer leader says, "The church is in a unique position to lead their people to become a people of prayer. This is unlikely to happen if the church does not have a specific prayer strategy."
3. Prayer was a priority to Paul. Saul's radical conversion made him a radical disciple and a prayer warrior. He encouraged, directed and pled with believers to pray. (See Romans 12:12; 1 Cor. 7:5; Phil. 1:4, 4:6; Col. 4:2; and many more).
"Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation" (Romans 10:1, NASB).
4. A priority is seen by how an association or church spends its money and the time and talent of its people. Take a look at the church budget and the church calendar to see one indicator of the priorities. Commit to change whatever is needed to include prayer and evangelism in the priorities of the church. Otherwise anything and everything will take the place of prayer.
A retired DOM became the associational prayer coordinator in a large association. "I have learned so much about the impact of prayer since I have retired. I may now be in my most effective years of ministry since returning to the prayer imperative. I tell all of the younger DOM’s ‘nothing that you do is more important than praying and calling people to prayer.’"
B. Called to the Difference in Ritual Prayer and Relational Prayer
Jesus focused attention on ritual prayer in Matthew 6:5, "for they love to pray…that they may be seen by men." Matthew 23:14"for a pretense make long prayers…."And in the Luke 18:9-14 parable of the Pharisee and the publican.
Like many current disciples, the Jewish disciples of Jesus knew a lot about prayer. They were taught the external procedures and rituals that were required for proper prayer. This lifeless ritual prayer was not fulfilling. But when they watched Jesus pray in Luke 11:1 they said, "Lord teach us to pray" (so we can pray like you pray).
Jesus causes people to examine their external rituals and replace them with spiritual relationship. This spiritual relationship with Jesus causes believers to renew a personal passion for prayer and Bible study. It can result in changed attitudes, passions, and commitments. If believers are not careful we will "develop," "create," or "build" a human-led prayer plan that is not from God. If it is not from God, it will not be blessed by God.
A "successful" pastor sat on the front pew and cried. As the Spirit mended his broken heart he said, "I have grown cold in my prayer life and personal Bible study. Everything has been going so good at church. We are growing and reaching people. We are about to build again. I realized today that my personal devotional time has taken a back seat. I only pray publicly and only study the Bible for sermon preparation. I realize this indicates an attitude that I need God less and less. I am so thankful He has given me a new chance to confess publicly that every day I need Him more and more. I know this is even more important the more our church grows."
Another state prayer leader commented, "We have discovered that all of our baptismless churches are led by men who have allowed their personal walk with Christ to stagnate."
C. Called to Biblical Prayer
Satan hates biblical, specific prayer. He has created a lot of counterfeit prayer movements to confuse believers who hear God’s call to pray. It is important that biblical prayer be taught and modeled because there is so much unbiblical teaching about prayer. Nearly half of the prayer books in a recent visit to a bookstore were not biblically sound. They focused on human conjecture and experience or on obscure aspects of prayer. This warning from the apostle John to the first century church is very applicable to the 21st century church: "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world" (See First John 4:1, NASB).
The Holy Spirit always points people to Jesus, not to Himself or to an individual teacher. Christ is the authority and the only mediator between God and men (See 1 Tim 2:5). Believers should be cautious of any person who tries to usurp Christ’s authority or His role as mediator. The message of Christ, not the messenger, receives the focal attention. Be careful of prayer teachers or pastors that "confer the Holy Spirit" or receive other revelation from God or angels.
Angels also are not to be worshiped or addressed in prayer. The Apostle John teaches in Rev. 22:9 that they always point people to worship God. There are fallen Angels (demons) at work in the world. They are already defeated. They do not deserve attention that belongs to Christ.
Pastors and other spiritual leaders should not assume authority that belongs to God, His Son, or the Holy Spirit. Be discerning in any congregation where the pastor tries to negate the priesthood of the believer (See 1 Peter 2:9) and congregational polity (See Acts 15) in favor of his pastoral authority.
First Peter 5:1-9 is the biblical definition of the pastor as a shepherd. It is very different from the contemporary model of the pastor as a cowboy. Shepherds lead, cowboys drive. Shepherds will personally lead their people into prayer and Bible study that results in relationship with Christ. Personality cults develop from misplaced devotion.
A large church pastor struggled with the devotion of his congregation. "It was amazing how quickly I began expecting people to defer to my opinion. I enjoyed hearing them quote me and compliment my preaching. It soon led to an arrogance that fostered an almost Catholic priesthood. I almost believed that I was the means by which grace was conferred on my people. My sermons became presentations of my opinions and observations more so than biblical truth. It led to my failure as a spiritual leader and a pastor."
D. Called Within Two Types of Churches
The Apostle John dedicated the first three chapters in the book of Revelation to describe churches that were in need of revival. Paul wrote to the Corinthian and Galatian churches to encourage them to function as the Bride of Christ. A contemporary application can be seen in these two types of congregations found in many associations.
The first type relies on the world’s way to draw a crowd by means of human leadership. My Way Community Church represents this type of congregation. Every external consideration was carefully orchestrated. The public image was professional, efficient and culturally relevant. However the infrastructure was flawed. The founding pastor had created the leadership structure, hand-chosen the elders and personally trained them. Congregational polity was affirmed but not practiced. Suggestions from the staff were often met with "That will never happen in my church." The sermons were shallow and believers often commented "they were not getting fed."
The pastor and the worship service were the main focus of the church. Most of the elders never attended Bible study. Even the prayer ministry was redirected from a comprehensive prayer strategy to focus on the exclusive group of "pastor’s prayer partners." The back door was wide open and there was little longevity among the membership that wanted to grow in Christ. Many unbelievers and immature believers thoroughly enjoyed the "Christianity lite." Those who tried to help correct the problems were accused of family problems, gossip or divisiveness and asked to leave. This is a 2 Timothy 3:5 congregation "Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."
The second type of congregation tries to rely on God’s plan and the Spirit’s leading. These congregations are always in danger of Satanic counterattack and reverting to human processes. This type is represented by God’s Way Community Church. The founding pastor there understood the biblical lessons of shepherding the flock. He cared about people and recruited a broad base of mature leadership. Staff members were empowered and supported. The deeply biblical sermons challenged unbelievers to meet Christ and believers to grow in Christ. Sunday School, evangelistic Bible studies and home meetings brought variety and stability to the church. Evangelism and prayer were foundational to everything done in and through the church. Satanic counterattacks were much more prevalent in the God’s Way church because it was making a much greater impact for the Kingdom.
The unfortunate tendency is to look at the external success of the My Way types and try to duplicate that success. Satan tries to get believers to fail through following our fleshly nature. If that does not work he will encourage success through the flesh. Be careful not to accept success in the flesh for it provides a poor and temporary foundation. Fleshly success will not last. (See 1 Cor 3:11-15). A member of a My Way congregation said, "Financial or numerical success is not a direct indicator of the blessing of God on a congregation. The spiritual indicators should be what are noticed and encouraged."
Associational leadership need to encourage the God’s Way congregations and encourage change in the My Way congregations. Help them by encouraging each congregation to enlist a church prayer coordinator. Permeate each congregation with prayer. This does not interfere with the priesthood of the believer or the autonomy of the local church. It does provide support and a spiritual solution to a spiritual problem. A commitment to biblical prayer is a good indicator of the call of God on a professional minister.
A state prayer leader voiced it well, "Any prayer strategy that fails to recognize the failing health of the church will ultimately fail in trying to restore a passion for prayer and lost people. Thus, I would like to see a healthy church that demonstrates a vital, dynamic corporate and individual holiness, recognizes the imperative of prayer at every level of operation and has a passion for the lost."
E. Called to a Corporate Culture of Godliness and Righteousness.
It is alarming the kind of language and jokes that are told among believers and professional ministers. In Luke 6:45 Jesus said, "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good . . . . For out of the abundance of his heart his mouth speaks." This verse refutes the cultural belief that what a person does privately does not affect their public behavior or ability. Profane language and course jokes indicate a corrupted heart. It is not surprising then to see the number of these ministers and believers falling into sin and discouragement. Ministers must set the standard for godliness and righteousness. Believers should resemble Christ.
A youth minister confessed, "I was surprised at how quickly I began to accept the standards of our youth instead of leading them toward the biblical standards of godliness."
This standard is why some churches, associations and business leaders are hearing God call them to encourage a corporate culture of godliness and righteousness. In 1Timothy 6:11, the apostle Paul lists several spiritual characteristics of walking with Christ. He was convinced that believers should be so different through Christ that it would be obvious to unbelievers. These characteristics flow out of a relationship with Christ. They are a by-product of individual revival. Two recurring characteristics that Paul uses in reference to prayer are godliness and righteousness.
Think about the advantages of encouraging an environment where believers are encouraged and expected to be different from the secular world. The term "corporate culture" has become popular to describe the accepted attitudes and behavior in a business setting. Associational leaders can impact the spiritual attitudes and behavior that represent the corporate culture of the association and the churches. This can challenge believers to reclaim a biblical standard for attitudes and behaviors.
This idea of encouraging a corporate culture of godliness and righteousness is important to effective prayer and spiritual growth. It can help believers to act and react biblically in a culture that promotes and expects the opposite behavior. Believers are being assimilated into the culture to the extent that unbelievers cannot tell the difference between believers and unbelievers. This must change.
Prayer is one of the casualties of secular assimilation. It is important to understand why Paul emphasized godliness and righteousness among so many characteristics of a Christian life.
Godliness
Godliness (eusebeia) refers to the transformed nature that only comes through the indwelling Holy Spirit. The godly person recognizes their total dependence on God. This is different from the external change demanded by false religion. The resulting internal reverence and piety is radically different from the secular world.
The term "godliness" has been hijacked by Satan to diminish its importance. On one extreme, the New Age and other false religions are teaching people that they are god. On the other extreme are those who negate or ridicule those who are trying to live consistent, biblically-based lives. So godliness is defined by individuals instead of by God.
Biblical godliness is a prayer concern of Paul. In 1Timothy 2:1-2 Paul encourages Timothy: "First of all, then, I urge you that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity" (NASB). Paul comes back to his lessons on godliness in 1Timothy 3:16, 4:8, and 6:6. The indictment seen earlier in 2 Tim. 3:5 has significant contemporary application, "having a form of godliness but denying its power…."
A state prayer leader in the Northeast noted, "There is a reciprocal relationship between prayer and godliness and godliness and prayer."
Righteousness, or right behavior, flows out of a nature transformed by internal godliness. Since righteousness flows out of godliness, it is easy to see why the New Testament emphasizes the distinctive importance of righteousness in effective prayer.
Righteousness
James 5:16b says, "the effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much" (NASB, emphasis added). Righteousness is right behavior that flows out of the godliness that comes from accepting Jesus. A lot of shallow, unanswered praying flows out of human unrighteousness. Spirit-led godliness and righteousness are essential to effective prayer.
It is interesting that no one in the media culture says, "Oh my Buddha," or "For Mohammed’s sake." There is no inherent holiness in those names. So Satan does not need to try to diminish their value. The biblical term ‘righteousness’ also has been diminished. It comes from the same Greek word for holiness; a characteristic of following Christ that frightens Satan. Jesus said in Matt. 5:6, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled" (emphasis added). In Matt. 6:33 Jesus tells his followers, "But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you" (emphasis added).
Righteousness comes from holiness, which only comes from the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit only comes through accepting Jesus Christ as Lord. The new believer then needs to allow the Spirit to change the human will and behavior from the inside out. This is a primary difference between Christianity and other world religions.
Righteousness is essential to effective prayer. It is an essential characteristic of the Christian corporate culture. A righteous person always tries to do the right thing as defined by the Bible. This is important in a culture where the right thing is defined by public opinion. This is a good reason for Paul to make godliness the partner of righteousness.
Godliness and righteousness are difficult to attain and maintain. They are not spiritual gold medals or "holier than thou" achievements. They are the consequences of trying daily to become more like Christ. This is why daily prayer and Bible study are essential for believers. Otherwise the attitudes and opinions of the secular culture soon overwhelm biblical truth.
An e-mail from a minister captured the need for a corporate culture of godliness and righteousness. "Our staff meetings were efficient and pretty fun. The pastor wanted us to be friends but was not a spiritual leader for us. Two events made me realize that none of us were the spiritual leaders we should be. A waitress listened to us chat and laugh. As we concluded the meal she asked if we worked for a law firm. It really bothered me that she didn’t even know we were Christians, much less ministers. The second event was how different we behaved when our revival speaker ate lunch with us. I realized why Paul warns us to ‘pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it’" (See Heb. 2:1).
The focus of the Christian life is to resemble Christ. Be careful that no other indicator becomes our standard. Take care to not get satisfaction from the size of the church or the number of churches in the association. Allow the refiners fire to burn away anything that obscures the reflection of Christ’s likeness in our life.
Evangelical believers must not adopt the prevailing cultural attitude. It is absolutely illogical to allow the culture to exchange the fruit of the spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23) for the deeds of the flesh (see Galatians 5:19-21). Even unbelievers can see that the fruit of the Spirit is better for individuals, families and the culture. Biblical godliness and righteousness are positive, essential characteristics of any Christian corporate culture. They also are essential for effective prayer.
People who have been reminded to hear God’s call to pray often ask how they should respond.
Lord, You know the number of the stars and count them by their names. Forgive me for being willful and self-sufficient. Thank You that You are faithful even when I am not. Please help me to hunger and thirst for righteousness. Please let me be satisfied with nothing less than holiness. I ask for consistency and commitment to lay at your feet everything that encumbers me from following you. Teach me to delight in your commandments and live in such a way that others are drawn to You. In Your Son’s name, Amen.
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