In the fall of 1996, I began attending a small, early-morning, prayer meeting at a local church. As a religion major at a Christian University, I had become busy with countless classes and chapels. God set my heart aflame for Jesus and His church through that little prayer meeting. In fact, I believe God downloaded more vision and strength through praying with a small band of intercessors then all of my Bible classes and chapels added together. As a nineteen year old, God captured me through a local church prayer meeting.
Today, our nation would be changed if there was a fiery prayer leader rallying every local church in the place of prayer. Imagine thousands of churches with an authentic prayer movement at the core. Prayer fuels mission. Prayer movements become mission movements. Without prayer, mission movements become stale programs. Stale programs become dead religion.
Just before Jesus ascended to heaven, He told His disciples to wait for the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4). The Holy Spirit was necessary to their missional success. Before they became witnesses to the ends of the earth, they needed His power. The early church united constantly for prayer (Acts 2:42). The early church needed the power of the Holy Spirit to separate them and make them distinct. They needed to unite in prayer. God united them in prayer. God gave them power through prayer. God gave them mission through prayer. So, it was then. So, it is today.
Watchman Nee said, “Satan’s strategy is to put everything related to the Lord before prayer and make prayer the least important matter.” The temptation for churches today is to become consumed with elements of Jesus mission, but not pray. Jesus commanded us to care for the poor and evangelize the world. Those are pretty major initiatives. Thus, it’s easy to consume ourselves with those initiatives and let the fires of prayer fade. If prayer fades, the church loses the burden and the strength to sustain Jesus’ commands.
How many books have I read trying to get an edge on the latest strategy on how to do church? There is a great need for books and discussions about how to do church after there has been much prayer. A church that talks about strategy and programs without much prayer will become weak. The great need in local churches across America is for someone to arise in each to church to champion intentional, fervent prayer.
EM Bounds said, “The church is looking for better methods, God is looking for better men.” Local churches across America need a person to willingly lead in the place of prayer. At their core, local churches need someone to champion united, fervent prayer. The greatest way to enhance Jesus’ mission within a local church is to contend for a fiery prayer movement at the center. Beyond methods and strategy, the need is for someone to champion a prayer movement in every local church.
What would happen if thousands of young leaders began to initiate a prayer movement within the local churches? I’m convinced we would see another great awakening. I’m not talking about correcting pastors and challenging the way they lead. Instead, undergird and strengthen them through a prayer movement. Build them up. Local churches don’t need to shut down programs, small groups, and ministries to pray. Instead, churches must pray first and let ministry flow out of prayer. Through prayer, God will empower and lead us toward the ministry He wants us to do. It’s not an issue of one or the other, but getting them in the right order.