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January 2016

The Prayer Factory

( https://vimeo.com/56842643)

(Part 2 in a series about prayer. For the first post, go here.)

Have you ever tried to pray with people who were struggling with problems, the key word being “tried”? You wanted to share their requests with the Lord, but the opportunity never came up because they wouldn’t stop explaining their worries. Too much attention on  trouble; not enough on Christ!

To help folks move from trials to triumph, many churches (including ours), use groups called “prayer teams” or “altar workers.” (The Bible identifies the altar as the place where prayers ascend to the Lord.) These intercessors help the hurting by believing God for His intervention and blessing in their lives.

To emphasize positive possibilities, altar workers are trained to listen some, talk little, and pray succinctly. Gather the basic information but don’t let difficulties dominate. Focus on Jesus who is the answer!

All that’s good, but something’s missing. Relationship!

People want connection as much as they seek answers to prayer. And for some, the prayer line represents one of the few times (perhaps the only occasion) when they get to tell their story. Knowing that you’ve been heard, that someone gets what you’re going through – that’s priceless.

I get it that you can’t let people share their requests endlessly and I feel that Victory does a pretty good job of “clock management.” But churches need to be careful. To skip over the need for relationships and merely process requests can be impersonal, even mechanical. Stripped of its relational character, the church would resemble a factory, taking in prayer needs and churning out requests.

Offering people a chance to receive prayer in a Sunday morning worship service is laudable. Prayer team members remind people that Jesus cares and can do awesome things.

Yet God furnishes even more. He provides relationship. And isn’t community a wonderful setting for the ministry of prayer?

It’s in community that we enjoy the love of God. Together, we learn to be humble and honest with each other. And united in prayer, we can experience surprising breakthroughs.

Whether you serve on a prayer team or not, as a follower of Christ, you have the potential to bless others with your prayers and your presence. Look for moments when you can speak to the Lord on behalf of the distressed. But also listen to them. Tune in to what they have to say. It shows that you care.

Prayer releases God’s power; listening unleashes His love. A church that has both is more than a factory; it’s a family!

 

Afraid of Change?

Change is not death

(http://40.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l4tzsiN4x31qznniio1_1280.jpg)

(Part 1 in a series about prayer.)

Having just been hired by the church, the new senior pastor noticed that the pulpit was too far to one side for his liking. As the leader of the church, he felt he had the authority to move things around. Acting on that feeling, however, cost him his position. Yes, he got fired for moving the pulpit!

The church managed to find a replacement who, like his predecessor, also believed that the pulpit was in the wrong spot. But what would this fellow do about it? What would you do?

Some time later, the dismissed minister stopped by that church and, peering in, observed the pulpit right in the center of the front of the platform. Exactly where he tried to place it! Discussing his surprise with his successor, he asked how the new pastor had accomplished this feat. “Simple,” he replied. “Because I’d heard what had happened to you, I didn’t bother asking permission. I just moved the pulpit over one inch a week. Eventually, it got to the right spot!”

The moral of this story? If you want change, especially in a church, go slow!

This idea underlies many Christian leadership books. These texts help pastors guide the processes of change in the church. Strategizing, communicating, adjusting – it’s all there. They stress how church leaders have to be wise (even shrewd), circumspect, methodical, modest, and patient. Give people plenty of time to process changes even before they happen. Why? Because, the assumption goes, people fear change.

But do they? Do you? I believe not. Prayer proves it.

In my ministry, I’ve prayed with scores of folks over the years. In numerous Sunday morning services, I’ve invited the hurting and the needy to pray with members of our prayer teams and many have responded.

Why would they? If people were as afraid of change as is presupposed, wouldn’t they hesitate to come forward? Or even refuse?

And what do people pray about? Usually, their requests concern making something bad, good. The issue could be personal. It could be relational. Or circumstantial. But what these have in common is change. People want it. That’s why they’re praying!

Prayer is change! When you pray, you seek blessing for cursing. You pursue healing for sickness. You call for mercy over judgment. You promote justice over corruption.

Seen in the light of prayer, change isn’t death. Fearing change damages, even kills, because such anxiety blocks you from drawing near to the God of love. It keeps you from experiencing the abundant life Jesus promises.

Change won’t kill you; in Christ, it will renew you. His Spirit will transform you. Pray about it; see for yourself. You’re not afraid! Not if you pray.

 

with Bob Condly

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