Transcript Developing Prayer Culture, Community in the Local church

Developing Prayer Culture,
Community in the Local church
A Biblical and Practical
Examination
“Prayer is the Atmosphere of Revelation”
P. T. Forsyth, The Soul of Prayer
“Prayer is the Tropical Climate of the Soul”
G. F. Gordan, Soul Winner’s Secrets
“To the use of Scriptures the early Christians added
prayer as a prime necessity in all evangelistic enterprise.”
Green, Evangelism in the Early Church, 235.
Prayer and the Early Church
Introduction
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Prayer in Acts builds upon and/or
“coheres” to Jesus’ perspective on
prayer in Luke
Over 30 times Christ’s followers in Acts
are shown in prayer or the narrative
refers to prayer.
Most of the these occurrences are found
in the first half of Acts—setting a
pattern.
Prayer and the Early Church (cont.)
David Crump (Knocking on Heaven’s Door)
Three Prayer Behaviors:
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They sustained a significant degree of unity
through corporate prayer (praying together,
homothymadon, 6 times, 1:14;
2:46;4:24;5:12;8:6; 15:25)
2.
The emerging church rapidly adopted Christ’s
model and teaching about personal prayer
(priorities of the Lord’s prayer, absence of
personal self-centered prayer)
Prayer and the Early Church (cont.)
3. Prayer is a way for believers to find their lives
realigned with God’s redemptive plans (regular
revealing of God’s presence/power among praying
people (Acts 4, 13). God accomplishes His
sovereign work/plans when and where the church
prays. Through prayer believers become “spiritually
receptive recipients of divine communication.”
Prayer’s Role in the Early Church
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Prayer—a foundational lifestyle and relationship that
was employed for the evangelistic mission (Acts
2:42)
Prayer paved the way for bold and fruitful
proclamation of the gospel (Acts 4:23-33)
Prayer provided the environment for the Holy Spirit
to inspire and fill believers with power to be
witnesses (Acts 1:14; 2:1-13)
Prayer was key element for the overcoming of
barriers to the Mission (Acts 1:14 (leadership); 2:111 (power); 2:41-47 (consistent life, unity, Joy, love);
Prayers role (cont.)
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Prayer prepares both believers and unbelievers for
providential encounters and effective evangelistic
witness (Acts 10-11:18)
Corporate prayer patterns are shown as normal for
the early church (Acts 12:5, 2:42; 1:14)
Prayer is key component for effective leaders (Acts
6:1ff; Acts 14:23)
Prayer plays a vital role in the sending of witnesses
to the world (Acts 13:1-4)
Marks of a Praying Church
The Early Church at Prayer
Acts 4:23-33
1.First Response is Prayer (23, 24)
Praying People, United Corporate Prayer
2. Healthy Bible Based Prayer Theology (24, 27, 28)
Creator God, Providential Lord
3. Strategic Prayer Patterns (29)
God’s Nearness, Boldness, Changed Lives
4. They Experienced God’s Activity, Manifest Presence
(31-33) Faithful Praying, Fruitful Praying, Unified
Ministry, Abundant Grace, Bold Proclamation, etc.
A Kingdom-Focused Prayer Strategy
Vision
God is calling us as followers of Christ to glorify Him
through a holy lifestyle of passionate, Spirit-led
prayer that seeks His Kingdom purposes (John
17; Matt. 6:5-13)
Three Elements
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Kingdom Prayer Priorities
Kingdom Prayer Practices
Kingdom Prayer Purposes
Kingdom Focused Prayer (cont.)
Kingdom Prayer Priorities
This involves developing prayer
atmosphere or culture. Prayer core values
and beliefs are implemented in this
component. Biblical prayer foundations
are laid so that the church may grow in its
praying life and may become a house of
prayer for the nations (see Mark 11:17).
Kingdom Focused Prayer (cont.)
Kingdom Prayer Practices
This component focuses on the being and
doing of prayer in and through the
church. Practicing the presence of Christ
through Bible based prayer methods and
approaches are key components.
Providing ways and opportunities for
believers to practice prayer passions
individually and congregationally are
accomplished with this component.
Kingdom Focused Prayer (cont.)
Kingdom Prayer Purposes
This element pushes the congregation
toward the bigger picture of prayer
mobilization. Prayer with and for the
greater world-wide body of Christ is the
focus of this component. Strategic prayer
patterns for revival, spiritual awakening,
missions, and the Great Commission are
taught, modeled and implemented.
Methods and Approaches for Mobilizing
Prayer
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Prayer Grams/Lines
Weekly Windows
World Religion Prayer
Guides
State Prayer Lines
Prayer JourneysInternational, SFC
Cities
Adopt People Groups
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Prayer Initiatives
Prayer Groups
Prayer Walking
Prayer Chains
Prayer Rooms
Prayer Stations
Prayer Summitts
Prayer Training
Contemporary Churches
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Biltmore Baptist Church, Arden, NC
Richland Creek Community Church, Wake
Forest, NC
Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, Boone, NC
Providence Baptist Church, Raleigh, NC
Central Baptist Church, Wendell, NC
Signs of a Praying Congregation
(Contemporary Church)
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Confident and dependent
on God through Prayer
Passionate Prayer Lives
Prayer toward the Great
Commission
Specific Prayer Patterns
Unified toward the Mission
Ripe Environment for God
to Speak and Work
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Multiple Avenues for
Prayer Passions to be
Expressed
Prayer is Foundational
Biblical, Contextual prayer
Patterns
Changed Lives
God-Centered Praying
Contemporary Considerations
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Prayer ministries will need to
flow out of prayer passions
(affinity prayer groups)
Strategic prayer should be
sensitive to both church and
non-church cultures
Prayer for revival,
awakening and toward the
Great Commission is the
heart of strategic prayer
Web-based networks
provide avenues for
involvement in Kingdomoriented prayer emphases
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Field-based prayer
ministries provide excellent
opportunities for
congregations to utilize
prayer as an avenue for
genuine relationship building
Denominational missions
praying must be taught and
modeled
Participation in Interdenominational prayer
efforts is essential