Transcript Prayer and the Small Church

Prayer and the Small Church
A New Testament
Perspective
“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’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)
Focus was God, Creator God, The Christ,
Providential Lord
3. Strategic Kingdom-Focused Prayer Patterns (29)
God’s Nearness, Boldness, Changed Lives
4. Experience God’s Activity, Manifest Presence (3133) Faithful Praying, Fruitful Praying, Unified
Ministry, Abundant Grace, Bold Proclamation, etc.
Application
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Seek to create a God-centered life of prayer
Teach, Model and Train believers in Biblical
Prayer
Practice “One Accord Prayer”
Develop and Pray God’s Prayer Agenda/List
Expect Lasting/Eternal Results
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