Lessons - Applying Bible Principles
The Power of Prayer
by Pastor Jerry Foote
We should work as if everything we do in ministry depends on us and pray as if everything depends on God. At Mulford Church we are pretty good at the working side of ministry. Our percentage of people active in ministry is higher than most churches. We thank God for the eagerness of people to pitch in and help, especially with outreach activities. But there is room for improvement on the prayer side.
Many are proud of our reputation as a praying church. But in some ways this means only that we have a handful of people who are faithful as prayer warriors. We need to expand the number of people who actually pray and submit our efforts to God for his empowerment. Like most churches, we don’t attract many people to our regular or special prayer meetings.
As I have prayed with individuals and groups here at Mulford, 90% or more of the prayers have been for people who are sick or infirm. (I’m all for that kind of praying, by the way.) If we are to pray the way Jesus taught his disciples, though, we need to pray more for God’s Name, God’s Kingdom, and God’s Will. We have to learn to pray eternal, disciplemaking, and life-transforming requests.
Charles Spurgeon, famous London preacher of a previous generation, enlisted hundreds of his congregation to pray in another room during every church service. He believed that was the real power behind his preaching. Many modern churches have found ways to duplicate this effort. More often, churches have a quick prayer before each service, with pastors, musicians, and elders participating. For years we have taken 45 minutes to an hour each Saturday morning to pray for the activities and services of the weekend.
What would happen if we had people praying during our services? For one thing, I believe it would be honoring to God. If 10% of our congregation was praying instead of taking notes on the sermon, it would open a door for the Holy Spirit to work his miracles. They could pray right in the sanctuary where they sit, or they could gather in a separate room to pray as a group. The 10% could be rotated so everyone would get a turn 5 times a year.
What would happen if every Sunday School teacher, Awana worker, Trustee, Elder, and other worker had a couple of prayer partners upholding them in prayer regularly? I think it would release God’s power in each ministry. It would help us focus on God who can transform lives. It would remind us how much of our ministry depends on God.
