THE POWER OF PRAYER
mounting threat of terrorism, the increasing secularization of
—Continued from page 3
society, the escalating numbers of non-Christian religious adher-
ents, and the diversity of individual needs, the church must rely
to provide resources for the local church. Executive leaders, on the power of God gained only through prayer if it is to
departmental leaders, and other personnel need prayer support as remain relevant and minister effectively to our world.
they seek God’s will and direction before launching programs or These days in which we minister could be our last, best hope
developing resources to assist local churches in reaching their full before the end of days to introduce our world to Jesus Christ. If we
Kingdom potential. are to succeed in this mission, we must be people of prayer.
Fourth, a global prayer force can be the answer to the chal-
lenges facing the church today in reaching the lost. With the *Unless otherwise noted, scriptures are from the New King James Version.
The General Overseer’s
Connected to a caring God, we have the extraordi- your all-church prayer meeting Sunday evening.
nary privilege of making requests—petition. Such Thus, you will have trained your potential prayer
Call to the Church of God
favor then moves us to thanksgiving. leaders, taught new principles on prayer, and prac-
ticed praying. Training, learning, and doing. Repeat
by P. Douglas Small
Directed Prayer this threefold strategy quarterly.
Dr. Raymond Culpepper has called our church Consider these themes:
back to our prayer roots. More than a mere verbal • January 4: Communion with God. Emphasize Variety of Style
declaration, he has asked for action. Congregations the Great Commandment: Love God with all your Encourage variety in prayer—sentence prayers,
are to hold “Great Days of Prayer” January 4, April heart. At prayer’s heart is a love relationship with prayers of agreement, silent waiting, Scripture-
5, July 5, and October 4, 2009. These prayer gath- God. More than a duty, prayer must be a delight. based prayers, prayer stations, missional praying,
erings should unite the whole church for one pur- • April 5: Intercession. Use the season of the guided prayer experiences, small-group prayer and
pose—prayer. passion of Christ to call people to bear the burdens more. The richness of fervent voices lifted together
You learn to pray . . . by praying! And a pray- of others, particularly lost friends and loved ones. like a symphony—united and passionate prayer—
ing church requires a praying people. We want to • July 5: Petition. Here, personal needs are that’s Pentecostal praying. Praying “aloud togeth-
nurture a culture of prayer. From the prayer altar, offered to God in prayer. Accent the privilege of er” is a rich New Testament prayer style. But it is
families should carry live prayer coals home. prayer, our right to call on God. Underscore the not the only way to pray. Encourage variety.
Church prayer should translate into at-home role of faith.
prayer. Then fervent hearts, ignited by daily prayer • October 4: Make gratitude a campaign. Uti- Resources
at home, should affect at-church prayer. lize the proximity to Thanksgiving Day to call the Each month, the Web site forwardtogetherin
entire church to gratefulness. Great churches are changingtimes.com will offer resources not only for
Balance grateful. Conduct a crusade of care. the prayer service, but ideas to transform a day
Think of prayer in quadrants: worshipful com- into a weekend of “out of the box” prayer experi-
munion, intercession for others, and petition for per- Move From a Day to a Weekend ences for Saturday, teaching resources, and prayer
sonal needs. Those elements are wrapped in The bold of heart will want to transform the guides for an all-church prayer service.
thanksgiving. Good prayer balances these four Great Day of Prayer into a weekend. Do this: Con-
components. sider an “out of the box” prayer experience on Sat- P. Douglas Small serves as denominational prayer
Communion is the heart of prayer—devotional urday. Conduct a learning-by-doing “training consultant for the Evangelism Department and is
adoration. Centered in God’s love, we pray for oth- event” for potential prayer leaders. Stretch them. president of Alive Ministries: PROJECT PRAY, and
ers—intercession. Their greatest need is salvation. Teach on prayer Sunday morning; then conduct works with national prayer and city-impact ministries.
6 EVANGEL • DEC 2008
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