Missional Prayer

1
Missional Prayer

• Praying Toward the Kingdom

2
Missional Prayer Key Texts

• Psalm 28
• Matt. 69-10
• John 17
• Acts

3
Prayer and the Evangelistic Mission

• Prayer and Preparation for the Evangelistic
  Mission
• Prayer for the lost (Matt. 610 1 Tim. 21-4)
• Prayer for laborers (Mat. 935-38 Acts 131-3)
• Prayer for personal holiness and unity in
  believers (Ps. 5110-13 John 17)
• Prayer for open doors for the gospel to be shared
  (Col. 42-6 Acts 10-11)
• Prayer that creates an divine encounters for the
  Gospel to be shared (Acts 10-1118)

4
Prayer and the Evangelistic Mission

• Prayer and Proclamation in the Evangelistic
  Mission
• Prayer for bold proclamation (Acts 429-31)
• Prayer for the proper words to be proclaimed (Is.
  504-5 Eph 618-20)
• Prayer for Kairos timing (Col. 42-4)
• Prayer for protection to proclaim (Rom. 1530-33)
• Prayer for power to proclaim (Eph. 318-21)

5
Prayer and the Evangelistic Mission

• Prayer and Preservation of the Evangelistic
  Mission
• Prayer for new converts to be protected from the
  evil one (Mat. 613 John 17)
• Prayer that new converts will abound in love for
  believers and all men (1 Thes. 39-11)
• Prayer new believers will bear fruit in every
  good work (Col. 12-11)
• Prayer that new converts will know and do Gods
  will (Col 1 9 Eph. 117-18)
• Prayer for the seed of Gods Word to bear fruit
  in folks lives (2 Thess. 31 Isa. 5510-11).

6
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.

7

• Prayer is the Tropical Climate of the Soul
• G. F. Gordan, Soul Winners Secrets

8
Prayer and the Early Church

• Introduction
• Prayer in Acts builds upon and/or coheres to
  Jesus perspective on prayer in Luke
• Over 30 times Christs 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 Actssetting a pattern.

9
Prayer and the Early Church (cont.)

• David Crump (Knocking on Heavens Door)
• Three Prayer Behaviors
• They sustained a significant degree of unity
  through corporate prayer (praying together,
  homothymadon, 6 times, 114 24642451286
  1525)
• The emerging church rapidly adopted Christs
  model and teaching about personal prayer
  (priorities of the Lords prayer, absence of
  personal self-centered prayer)

10
Prayer and the Early Church (cont.)

• 3. Prayer is a way for believers to find their
  lives realigned with Gods redemptive plans
  (regular revealing of Gods 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.

11
Prayers Role in the Early Church

• Prayera foundational lifestyle and relationship
  that was employed for the evangelistic mission
  (Acts 242)
• Prayer paved the way for bold and fruitful
  proclamation of the gospel (Acts 423-33)
• Prayer provided the environment for the Holy
  Spirit to inspire and fill believers with power
  to be witnesses (Acts 114 21-13)
• Prayer was key element for the overcoming of
  barriers to the Mission (Acts 114 (leadership)
  21-11 (power) 241-47 (consistent life, unity,
  Joy, love)

12
Prayers role (cont.)

• Prayer prepares both believers and unbelievers
  for providential encounters and effective
  evangelistic witness (Acts 10-1118)
• Corporate prayer patterns are shown as normal for
  the early church (Acts 125, 242 114)
• Prayer is key component for effective leaders
  (Acts 61ff Acts 1423)
• Prayer plays a vital role in the sending of
  witnesses to the world (Acts 131-4)

13
Marks of a Praying ChurchThe Early Church at
PrayerActs 423-33

• 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)
• Gods Nearness, Boldness, Changed Lives
• 4. They Experienced Gods Activity, Manifest
  Presence (31-33) Faithful Praying, Fruitful
  Praying, Unified Ministry, Abundant Grace, Bold
  Proclamation, etc.

14
Missional Prayer- A Historical Overview

• Athenagoras-(A. D. 2nd Century) Utilized
  Scripture as he prayed for political figures and
  others.
• Origen (230)On PrayerBiblical prayer patterns.
  Prayer inspired by the Spirit.
• Eusebius of CaesareaUniversal practice-use of
  Psalms, hymns reciting of prayers AM and PM
  gatherings called HoraeLaity prayer
  gatherings--North Africa, Rome until 5th century.
• AugustineConfessionsPrayer is abiding state,
  follow the biblical pattern in Matt. 6. Use quick
  prayers. Three stages of prayerarousing of
  inmost nature, seek God Himself, listen to God to
  be heard. Seemed to neglect corporate dimensions
  of prayer.
• Ulfilas (318-88)Ministered among the Visigoths.
  Communicated the good news through sermon, pen
  and deed. Translated Bible/Gothic language.
  Prayer and the holy life was his mark.

15
Historical Overview (cont.)

• Patrick of Ireland (390-490?)Kidnapped, escaped,
  returned to evangelize. Started 365 churches,
  wrote hymns, started schools. Prayer was vital
  component of encounters with druid priests.
  Godliness and holiness.
• John Cassian (Institutiones, A.D. 420) and
  Monastic ordersSt. Patrick and others, holy
  lives, proper task of monk, prayer patterns often
  follows biblical texts (1 Tim. 2) Prayers goal,
  dispense with words and images and become
  inexpressible sighs. Efforts at continuous praise
  through use of the Psalms in prayer. Two
  theological trendsUse of Psalms, Trinitarian
  patterns.
• Columba, sixth century missionary to pagan areas
  of Scotland, relied on prayer to aid his ministry
  efforts.
• Ansgar of France (A.D. 800-865), prayed and
  fasted asking God to draw pagans to understand
  gospel.

16
Historical Overview (cont.)

• Bernard of Clairvaux (1091-1153)Burning zeal to
  walk with God. Planted a work in Wormwood which
  was a hideout for robbers. Peacemaker, powerful
  preacher, Prayer warrior, writerdevoted to
  renewal and pious life in Christ.
• John Tauler (1091-1153), two years in seclusion
  in prayer and the study of the Word. Emerged a
  powerful preacher. Personal prayer closet vital
  to effective ministry.
• St. Francis and Third Orders (lay groups), prayer
  books were developed (Books of Hours) even in the
  common languages.
• Jerome of Savanarola (1452-1498), Florence,
  ItalyCatalyst for revival. Interfaced prayer
  with revival, renewal and the great commission.
• John Knox (1514-1572) interfaced prayer with
  preaching. Personal prayer life was
  extraordinary.

17
Historical Overview (cont.)

• Reformers (1500-1700)(1)Lutherprayer is a daily
  business, prayed 3 hours daily, we come as
  beggars to God, advocated church prayer, biblical
  prayer, praying in faith and trust, Lords prayer
  was sufficient, priests before God, prayer and
  service go hand in hand. (2) CalvinPrayer
  unearths the treasures of God, labor on behalf of
  others, Lords Prayer, Gods sovereign work in
  prayer, pray always, confession prayers, Jesus is
  our Intercessor, should be a priority both in
  public and private, prayer is always needed.
• Pietism1630-1760--(1) Philip Spener, small
  groups, prayer and piety, intimacy, called the
  church to reform in pious life, University of
  Halle, Francke was hired, pious life and
  ministry/missions. (2) Ludwig von Zinzendorf
  (Mustard Seeds), influenced by Franke and Halle,
  offerred asylum for Bohemians (heirs of Huss),
  Herrnhut (the Lords watch), led church in
  prayer, concerted prayer for girls at the school,
  revival came, 100 years of prayer resulted, 48
  adults, 24 hours a dayMoravian Missions.

18
Historical Overview (cont.)

• Jonathan Edwards (1703-58) Developed the prayer
  shack, youth prayer groups, personal prayer and
  study of the Word. People praying for the worship
  services and concerts of prayer. Famous sermon,
  Sinners-- people were praying all night.
• Charles Finney(1792-1875)--prayer bands, Father
  Nash/Abel Clary, revival prayer, prevailing
  prayer groups.
• Charles Spurgeon(1834-92)Man of prayer, led
  congregation to pray in a united way. Regular
  prayer gatherings in church, boiler room.
• John Praying Hyde, Presbyterian missionary to
  India (1892-1911), described his witnessing
  lifestyle as an Evangelism of Prayer.
• R. A. Torrey(1856-1928) Apologist evangelist
  worldwide crusades, Pray it through, book How
  to Pray was used in training prayer teams for the
  crusades.

19
Historical Overview (cont)

• Contemporary Expressions
• Jessie-Penn Lewis -working prayer.
• Helen Shoemaker - prayer provides the base for
  ministry/evangelism/missions or prayer-supported
  evangelism. Constant prayer is key to effective
  evangelism. It bore fruit in first century-it
  bears fruit today.
• Evelyn Christensen-Pre Evangelism
  PrayingPrayer Groups
• Howard TryonPraying for You, prayer
  visitation.
• David Bryant-Concerts of Prayer
• Al Vandergriend-Houses of Prayer Everywhere
• Billy Graham-Prayer tripletts, gatherings, etc.

20
Historical Overview (cont.)

• Denominational Prayer initiatives-Sweet Hour of
  Prayer, Prayer for Revival, Spiritual Awakening,
  Evangelism, etc.
• Since 1900 prayer emphases include 1904-06
  Awakening Heberdes Islands (Post WWII)Jesus
  Movement Prayer Rooms Prayer Evangelism Prayer
  Walking Watchman on the Wall Initiatives, Prayer
  Advances Conferences, Resources, Summits
  Africa--World Day of Prayer NA--National Day of
  Prayer India, China (small group prayer
  meetings), Korea (prayer mountains, fervent
  prayer), 24-7 prayer rooms on College Campuses,
  Offices of Prayer in Denominations, Tuesday
  Evening Prayer meetings, Brooklyn Tabernacle,
  Biltmore Baptist Chruch.

21
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. 65-13)
• Three Elements
• Kingdom Prayer Priorities
• Kingdom Prayer Practices
• Kingdom Prayer Purposes

22
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 1117).

23
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.

24
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.

25
Methods and Approaches for Mobilizing Missional
Prayer

• Prayer Grams/Lines
• Weekly Windows
• World Religion Prayer Guides
• State Prayer Lines
• Prayer Journeys-International, SFC Cities
• Adopt People Groups

• Prayer Initiatives
• Prayer Groups
• Prayer Walking
• Prayer Chains
• Prayer Rooms
• Prayer Stations
• Prayer Summitts
• Prayer Training

26
Contemporary Churches

• 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

27
Signs of a Praying Congregation(Contemporary
Church)

• 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

• Multiple Avenues for Prayer Passions to be
  Expressed
• Prayer is Foundational
• Biblical, Contextual prayer Patterns
• Changed Lives
• God-Centered Praying

28
Considerations

• 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 Kingdom-oriented prayer emphases

• 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 Inter-denominational prayer
  efforts is essential