In the part 5 of this series, we discussed how we make New Testament prayers for ministers of the gospel.
In this part, we shall look at how we pray for the church and for christian meetings.
Church meetings are very integral to Christian service and growth.
Hebrews 10:25 KJV “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
The church in the Book of Acts practiced this very often:
Acts 2:42,46 KJV “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers … And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,”
Since we pray for fellow believers, ministers, we can pray concerning our gatherings too.
Many times we replace prayer with strategy. We get into so much planning and forget the basics.
Philippians 4:6 KJV “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”
How will people get blessed?
The unsaved receive salvation, the sick healed?
Maybe we need some drama?
Should we add some flavor of comedy?
What about free lunch or gift packs?
This happens often when we have left prayer for worrying disguised as planning.
James 5:16b “The earnest heartfelt, continued prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available dynamic in its working.”
We need more power working in our meetings than good ideas. Prayer is the ONLY effective means to this.
Christian meetings are to have a stark difference from other kinds of meetings.
So let’s see what our emphasis should be by first mentioning what it shouldn’t be.
1. Don’t pray for God to be in or come into a Christian meeting, that’s unbelief.
God is there already!
Matthew 28:20 KJV “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
1 Corinthians 3:16 KJV “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”
2. Don’t pray for God to move or touch the hearts of people, heal the sick or save the lost!
God doesn’t need to be prayed for to do what He wants to do all the time!
Luke 12:32 KJV “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
3. Don’t pray for angels to work .They are already working!
Hebrews 1:14 KJV “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?”
Having seen what or who doesn’t need prayer let’s see who need prayers.
It is key to know why we gather.
1 Corinthians 14:26 KJV “How is it then, brethren? When ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.”
Edify means to build up, strengthen and make effective.
Ephesians 4:12 KJV “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:”
The primary reason we gather is to be edified.
In this the sick are healed, the unsaved receive salvation (as in 1 Corinthians 14:24-25), the believer is improved upon in his walk.
So who does the edifying?
All participants! The ministers and the members of the church or meetings.
Since Gods power is always in and around Gods people
Ephesians 1:19 KJV “And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,”
Ephesians 3:20 KJV “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,”
We are the ones we should be praying for!
1) We pray for the minister.
Utterance & boldness (Colossians 4:3-4, Ephesians 6:19-20; Acts 4:30-31)
That the preaching be in demonstration of spirit and power (1 Corinthians 2:4-5)
2) We pray for those handling non preaching assignments.
We ask for wisdom that all things be done decently and in order, they be filled with the Spirit.
Wisdom was a primary requirement to serve tables (deacons) Acts 6:3 (also James 1:5; 1 Corinthians 14:40).
3) We very importantly pray for the participants.
We pray the Pauline prayers (Ephesians 1:17-23; 3:14-21; Philippians 1:9-12; Colossians 1:9-11)
We ask for wisdom, revelation and insights in order that they be edified.
4) Furthermore we can make requests specifically for the situations around such meetings; for example opposition, supernatural publicity, good weather among others.
1 Corinthians 16:9 KJV “For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.
Any which way, we mustn’t pray in unbelief. Asking for what is already available in the gathering.
The ministers and the other participants are the sole persons responsible for how the meeting turns out! No magic.
We all (ministers and congregants) need the prayers!
5) We also give thanks
1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
We give thanks for the flow of the Spirit
We give thanks for the effective ministry of angels.
We give thanks for the gifts of the Spirit in demonstration.
When we pray this way, we do so according to scriptures.
Amen.
Write down Christian meetings at least 5 you are attending or organizing or u love to pray about this year. Do so this weekend!
Ready?
Don’t forget to pray in the Spirit (1 Corinthians 14:14-15; Ephesians6:18; Jude 20)
Let us pray!
In the next part of this series, we shall be considering how to pray for those in positions of authority in line with the New Testament.
Adapted with permission, from Facebook post by Reverend Chris Olusegun Onayinka.
Be the first to comment