Are We a Praying Church?
I had a wonderful conversation this week with a member of our church, and somehow the discussion turned to prayer. I asked the question, "Are we a praying church?"
Behind the scenes, in my own head, this has been something I’ve worried about. Our church has a few faithful pray-ers and a helpful prayer chain, but I’m not aware of an undercurrent that is life-giving. I’m not saying it doesn't exist; I’m just saying that I am unaware of how those things are happening. That might be more an indictment on my own connection to the spiritual life of the church than the church's prayer life, but it’s an honest question and struggle.
In this conversation, my friend said, “Oh yes, there are many who pray.” And then she began to add names to the list. I was so encouraged.
The truth is that churches are not built on great music or great programs or even great sermons. Churches are built on prayer. I believe it was William Carey, the father of modern missions, who said, “When we work, we work. But when we pray, God works.”
I’ve been talking about prayer in our church for a year with some of the leadership, and my goal has been to wait and see what God is doing and what He wants to do. I don’t believe that we can create spiritual waves of growth and fervor in the church, but when God sends those waves, we can learn how to ride them. I take that idea from Henry Blackaby’s book Experiencing God, where he encourages us to first look to see what God is doing and then to join God’s work instead of asking God to bless what we want to do.
So let me ask you, do you think we are a praying church? If so, how is prayer giving you life and hope? I’d love to hear stories. If not, then do you think God might be calling us into that? What practical things could you do to help our church become more of a church of prayer?
As D.A. Carson says, "Prayer is not like a good recipe, where you simply follow a set of mechanical directions and everything turns out right in the end.” It's much more. John Bunyan's classic definition helps us understand the depth of prayer: “Prayer is a sincere, sensible, affectionate pouring out of the heart or soul to God, through Christ, in the strength and assistance of the Holy Spirit, for such things as God has promised, or according to the Word of God, for the good of the church, with submission in faith to the will of God.”
So, how can we cultivate a more vibrant and life-giving prayer life, both individually and as a church? Here are some suggestions drawn from various resources:
1. Establish a Rhythm of Prayer:
Praying three times a day, as some suggest, can help punctuate the day with prayer and create a rhythm of dependence on God. This could be morning, noon, and night, or any other pattern that works for you. Regular prayer has a compounding effect over time, shaping our hearts and minds to align with God's will. The goal of these set times is to turn your whole day into an ongoing conversation with God.
2. Engage with Scripture in Prayer:
Engaging with different genres of Scripture in prayer can enrich our understanding and deepen our relationship with God. Consider using resources like Life of Jesus in 30 Days and Psalms in 30 Days to provide scriptural sustenance and structure to your prayers. Reading the Gospels and Psalms can be especially helpful in reorienting ourselves to God, acknowledging the wandering nature of our hearts and minds, and intentionally centering ourselves on Him. Encountering Jesus and spending time in the Psalms can help us become more like Him. We don’t have to come up with the right words; God provided His Word. We can simply pray it back.
3. Find Balance Between Structure and Spontaneity:
Finding a balance between structure and spontaneity in prayer can help us develop a consistent prayer life. Some may find comfort in set prayers or using a prayer journal, while others prefer a more conversational approach. The key is to find what works for you and allows you to connect with God authentically.
4. Prioritize Prayer Even in Busy Seasons:
Even in busy seasons, it is important to prioritize prayer and integrate our busy lives into our relationship with God. We must acknowledge that distractions and temptations are prevalent in our modern era, making it challenging to stay focused on God and His purposes. This might mean scheduling specific times for prayer, or simply weaving prayer into the fabric of your day as you go about your activities. Martin Luther once said that he was so busy, there is no way he could accomplish everything on his plate unless he prayed four hours a day. I love the idea of being “too busy not to pray” and aspire to grow in that mindset.
5. Understand the Power of Prayer:
We often hear the phrase, “There is power in prayer,” but what does prayer have the power to do? The ultimate power in prayer is that God acts as our Father, giving us good things when we ask. He desires to do good to us, and He answers when we pray. Consider these five things prayer has the power to do, as highlighted by D. Eaton:
Communicate with God: We have the incredible privilege of talking to God, praising Him, confessing our sins, finding forgiveness, and making our requests known to Him. This access is only possible through Jesus.
Access Blessings: There are things we do not have because we have not asked. God has promised to give us our daily bread, the Holy Spirit, and wisdom if we ask.
Develop Intimacy with God: Those who walk in greater intimacy with God are people of prayer. As John 15:7 says, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”
Please God: Our prayers are like incense before the Lord, a sweet-smelling aroma to Him. When we pray, we are conforming to His image, and through faith, that pleases God.
Walk in Peace and Contentment: We can cast our cares on Him in prayer. Philippians 4:5b-7 reminds us to bring our requests to God with thanksgiving, and the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Let's strive to be a praying church, a community where prayer is not just an activity but a way of life, fueling our faith, deepening our connection with God, and empowering us to live out His purposes in the world.
With You;
Pastor Tim
