Case study
“This church hardly ever prays together,” complained Joan, a 40-something church leader. “The only times for congregational prayer are during the services and 30 seconds before our committee meetings.” An older man named Bill chimed in, “Whatever happened to our midweek prayer service? The pastor dropped it five years ago, but that should be the lifeblood of our church.”
As the conversation continued, a clear consensus emerged among the leaders that Grace Church desperately needed a prayer awakening. Unfortunately, the traditional midweek prayer service hadn’t worked. They all looked to Pastor Mark, but while he longed for a prayer awakening in the church, didn’t know where to start. Sadly, the whole conversation left Mark feeling defensive and burdened with yet another program to organize and sell. And the church leaders felt disappointed with Pastor Mark’s apparent lack of enthusiasm.
What Would You Do?
Who is responsible for the prayer life of the church? What is the pastor’s role? The lay leaders’?
What would be a good first step for this church board?
What Happened
Mark gathered the leaders who were passionate about corporate prayer. “Let’s be honest,” he confessed, “some of you are much more gifted than I am in the areas of intercessory prayer and administration. We all desire a prayer awakening in our church. But if it’s just up to me, it’s not going to happen. Some of you have the passion and the gifts to pull it off. We must release you to pursue the ministry that God has already placed in your heart.
“But there’s just one condition,” Mark continued. “We have to think outside the box. If the midweek prayer service doesn’t work, let’s find something that does. Be flexible and creative.”
Joan and her husband took up the challenge. They enlisted another couple and started dreaming about what a prayer awakening would look like at Grace Church. Along with Pastor Mark, they also carefully prayed about specific events. Then the two couples organized semi-annual prayer vigils, a weekly prayer focus for the church bulletin, a day-long workshop on personal prayer, and a few other events.
And prayer moved from the margins to the center of church life at Grace.
Matt Woodley
Discuss
- What is the “climate” of corporate prayer at our church? Is it growing hotter or colder?
- What is the connection between our church’s prayer life and spiritual gifts (see 1 Peter 4:7-11)? Who has particular gifts of prayer?
- What can we do to support and encourage prayer in our church?
How to Light the Fire
Jim Cymbala
Early in my pastorate, the Holy Spirit impressed upon me, “I will show you the biggest problem in the church. It’s you.” I was prayerless and proud. I fell on my face and began to weep. “God, whatever it takes, please change me.” That was a turning point.
- Sense the need. When we don’t pray, it’s because we don’t sense our need for God.
- Point out the disparity. Help people see the gap between who they are and who God calls them to be. For instance, contrast the zeal described in Acts 2:42-47 or Romans 12:11 with those who spend hours watching television but can’t pray even a tenth of that time.
- Point to the promises. The new covenant is characterized by God’s promises: “I will wipe away their sins; I will put my law in their heart; I will put my Spirit within them.”
- Provide opportunities for response. Find ways that allow people to respond, to pray, to repent, to ask, to wait.
- Be open to the unexpected. As we see our need and call on God in prayer, we never know what may happen.
Jim Cymbala Brooklyn Tabernacle New York NY
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