Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.” Colossians 4:2-3
Devoting yourself to prayer is a discipline which all church planters must cultivate. During the night prayers, during the day, praying over everything as things come up. Praying for people, situations, praying over people, taking authority in prayer, interceding, and giving thanks in prayer. Asking for guidance, asking for wisdom or for knowledge, and allowing God to speak to us in the course of prayer. Consider. Paul, in chains in a prison. Asking for prayer for the next step in his ministry. Where are you in the process and what is the next step. Are you looking at your present situation? Or are you praying for your next ministry opportunity?
Prayer is an essential practice to strengthen one’s relationship with God and relationships within the body of Christ. First of all, in prayer we share ourselves with God and listen to him. Secondly, when Christians pray with each other the communion between them is deepened.
“Prayer is not preparing for battle. Prayer is the battle.”
“‘The Bible is the food of the wrestlers...’ It is not merely for those who meet in pious circles for their own edification, but for those who
are engaged in a struggle of prayer and in the battles of faith in the world. Bible study as an end in itself will grow dull. However, those
involved in any fight need digestible and nutritious food. It is not the quantity of food we eat, nor the amount of Bible knowledge that we acquire that feeds us, but rather the amount that we digest.”
“…from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:15-17
These words of instruction from Paul to his son Timothy sum up what we need to know about the life-long study of the word of God. We can only instruct from the word. The word gives us the authority and it is the guideline to preparing ourselves and those we disciple for ministry.
Every Church Planter who commits themselves to prayer and the study of the word in their own lives, can teach and minister with authority. If you are a person of prayer and the study of God's word, you will be able, as a church planter, to
1. Commit yourself to the SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT of the core group.
a. Make sure that prayer and Bible reading are an important part of each member’s life.
b. Emphasize that each member should pray daily for non- Christians.
2. MOTIVATE your team for biblical training.
a. Be an example of continual biblical training through either formal or self study Bible courses.
b. Find ways to actively participate in the biblical training of your core group:
• Tell them about training opportunities
• Provide economic support for training
• Take time to talk about what they are studying
3. Mobilize a team of INTERCESSORS.
a. Make a list of interested people and invite them to join your intercessory team. Remember to address the topics of confidentiality, communication, and expectations.
b. Pray for your intercessors at least once a week.
c. Connect with them personally at least once a month to encourage them, to share answers to prayer and special needs, and to find out if they are actively praying or if you should find others.
4. Keep prayer central.
. Present EXAMPLES of prayer in the new church.
• Within the church service, prayer should be simple, with a contemporary vocabulary and full of faith.
• Pray with people when the opportunity presents itself, including during every session of discipleship
or counseling. This is an aspect of praying without ceasing.
• Pray using the A, B, C’s of prayer: Audible, Brief, and Christ-centered.
Regarding ways to pray in a group, we offer the following suggestions:
• After a time to ask about specific needs, encourage members to pray for the person on their right or left, so that everyone can pray for another.
• Put a member who has a special need for prayer in the center of a circle, and have the others pray for him/her.
• Take 5 to 10 minutes to write a prayer and then read it. During the time of prayer and petitions, encourage people to take advantage of the silent periods and use them as a space for reflection and thanksgiving to God.
Always celebrate ANSWERS to prayer.
There is nothing more encouraging than to see how God is answering your prayers. When you celebrate, be creative, thankful, and
humble. Remember | There is no one right way to pray. Be creative when praying. Also, remember to pray slowly, choosing your words with care and being conscious of what you are saying. This will help you to avoid using God’s names as “crutches” during the prayer and will allow for a more conversational form of prayer.
Devoting yourself to prayer is a discipline which all church planters must cultivate. During the night prayers, during the day, praying over everything as things come up. Praying for people, situations, praying over people, taking authority in prayer, interceding, and giving thanks in prayer. Asking for guidance, asking for wisdom or for knowledge, and allowing God to speak to us in the course of prayer. Consider. Paul, in chains in a prison. Asking for prayer for the next step in his ministry. Where are you in the process and what is the next step. Are you looking at your present situation? Or are you praying for your next ministry opportunity?
Prayer is an essential practice to strengthen one’s relationship with God and relationships within the body of Christ. First of all, in prayer we share ourselves with God and listen to him. Secondly, when Christians pray with each other the communion between them is deepened.
“Prayer is not preparing for battle. Prayer is the battle.”
“‘The Bible is the food of the wrestlers...’ It is not merely for those who meet in pious circles for their own edification, but for those who
are engaged in a struggle of prayer and in the battles of faith in the world. Bible study as an end in itself will grow dull. However, those
involved in any fight need digestible and nutritious food. It is not the quantity of food we eat, nor the amount of Bible knowledge that we acquire that feeds us, but rather the amount that we digest.”
“…from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:15-17
These words of instruction from Paul to his son Timothy sum up what we need to know about the life-long study of the word of God. We can only instruct from the word. The word gives us the authority and it is the guideline to preparing ourselves and those we disciple for ministry.
Every Church Planter who commits themselves to prayer and the study of the word in their own lives, can teach and minister with authority. If you are a person of prayer and the study of God's word, you will be able, as a church planter, to
1. Commit yourself to the SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT of the core group.
a. Make sure that prayer and Bible reading are an important part of each member’s life.
b. Emphasize that each member should pray daily for non- Christians.
2. MOTIVATE your team for biblical training.
a. Be an example of continual biblical training through either formal or self study Bible courses.
b. Find ways to actively participate in the biblical training of your core group:
• Tell them about training opportunities
• Provide economic support for training
• Take time to talk about what they are studying
3. Mobilize a team of INTERCESSORS.
a. Make a list of interested people and invite them to join your intercessory team. Remember to address the topics of confidentiality, communication, and expectations.
b. Pray for your intercessors at least once a week.
c. Connect with them personally at least once a month to encourage them, to share answers to prayer and special needs, and to find out if they are actively praying or if you should find others.
4. Keep prayer central.
. Present EXAMPLES of prayer in the new church.
• Within the church service, prayer should be simple, with a contemporary vocabulary and full of faith.
• Pray with people when the opportunity presents itself, including during every session of discipleship
or counseling. This is an aspect of praying without ceasing.
• Pray using the A, B, C’s of prayer: Audible, Brief, and Christ-centered.
Regarding ways to pray in a group, we offer the following suggestions:
• After a time to ask about specific needs, encourage members to pray for the person on their right or left, so that everyone can pray for another.
• Put a member who has a special need for prayer in the center of a circle, and have the others pray for him/her.
• Take 5 to 10 minutes to write a prayer and then read it. During the time of prayer and petitions, encourage people to take advantage of the silent periods and use them as a space for reflection and thanksgiving to God.
Always celebrate ANSWERS to prayer.
There is nothing more encouraging than to see how God is answering your prayers. When you celebrate, be creative, thankful, and
humble. Remember | There is no one right way to pray. Be creative when praying. Also, remember to pray slowly, choosing your words with care and being conscious of what you are saying. This will help you to avoid using God’s names as “crutches” during the prayer and will allow for a more conversational form of prayer.