Introduction
Every believer should desire to develop and mature spiritually and must have a plan to achieve that growth. In particular, the area of the spiritual life that seems to suffer neglect by many Christians is in the area of prayer. If prayer were understood correctly then, the believer would utilize this tool at every opportunity and under every circumstance. Prayer should not be a last resort but should be the number one priority of every believer. Prayer is one of the spiritual weapons of the believer. The scriptures encourage the believer to pray always and to not faint or lose heart (Luke 18:1, KJV). The scriptures encourages the believer to ask in Christ name that the believer might receive and that the believer's joy might be full (John 16:24). Prayer is encouraged and covers all the regions of the believer's life; whether it be the prayer of petition, praise, intercessory prayer or praying down strongholds in the believer's life or in another's life; prayer is what is needed but sadly neglected
Deeper Insight
2 Corinthians 10:4, announces to the believer that the believer's warfare weapons are not carnal, but in fact, mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds. Prayer is powerful and has the potential to change circumstances, the one praying and those that are the subject of the believer's prayer. In S.D. Gordon's Quiet Talks, it is stated that the Christian has five outlets of power and one inlet of power. The inlet of power or the Holy Spirit generates the proclivity for the outward flow of power. Gordon states that the five outlets of power are: through the life, through the lips, through the Christian's service, through the believer's resources or money and through the believer's prayers. According to Gordon, God reveals Himself through these five outlets and if the Christian keeps in line with these five outlets the Christian will experience continuously an out-flowing of God's power.
It is to be acknowledged that everyone struggles in the area of prayer. If that same position is viewed from a larger scale then it is understood why there has been no revival in the land and why so many believers live mediocre or ordinary Christian lives. If one were to check the history books concerning revival it will be discovered that great moves of God took place only after prayer was initiated. The revivals of the Third Great Awakening provide strong evidence that prayer is the key to any true revival. These were revivals birthed in prayer and international in scope. While not well-remembered one hundred fifty years later, the number of people and church institutions impacted remains enormous. The key presented here is that prayer is the foundation to all that the believer does and that prayer can have a lasting affect on a community, city or nation.
It is also to be noted that one should also engage in seasons of prayer. This should be done alone with God to sort out upcoming issues, get direction and to be sure where God is leading. The issue concerning prayer is that the prayer must see the impact of prayer; wasting time on things that are futile should be avoided by every believer but prayer is far from that and is the life source of every believer. The praying believer recognizes, without a doubt, that the fervent effectual prayer of a righteous man avails much (James 5:16). The reading of scripture also instills hope within the heart as the believer prays. As one prays and studies the word of God, one comes to the understanding that what one is doing is a ministry that will receive an eternal reward that is based on faithfulness to the call. The believer from bent knee begins to understand that from that humbled postion of prayer that one's environment, community, city and nation is being changed according to the purpose of Almighty God.
In addtion, prayer exposes the believer's life out in the open to God. According to McMinn, prayer should be an extension of the passions of our heart. Our prayer lives should be that of seeking God and opening up to Him about the whole of our lives; especially those things that we have no control and keep concealed deep within our hearts. Prayer forces or encourages honesty before God because He already knows.
Prayer also teaches patience and the necessity of God's Spirit in the believer's life. During times when the believer does not know what or how to pray the Holy Spirit accomodates with intercession for the believer and God knowing the mind of the Spirit and understands clearly those things that the believer is oblivious and grants in accordance with His divine will and purpose (Romans 8:26,27); this creates a boldness in the heart of the believer knowing that when the believer does not know or the mouth cannot articulate those deep things within the heart that our heavenly Father knows, understands and operates accordingly, although never outside of His will.
Satan desires to sift each of us; his only purpose for the believer is to kill, steal and to destroy. Satan wants us to question and doubt God. Satan wants the believer to regard prayer as a futile effort thus abandoning it or going through the motions without expectation. The reading of scripture and diligence in prayer will produce light and give discernment regarding our adversary.
Plan of Application
Practical application is a must, without practical application, according to Dave Earley, one will experience frustration. As learning happens there should be a desire to seek out ways that this new knowledge can be practically applicable. As God gives insight responsibility increases. Luke 12:48 teaches that to whom much is given more is required. This new information will be beneficial within every believer's life. There should be a deep desire to unremittingly pray. There will be a new confidence that our prayers do not change the purposes of God but do prompt the actions of God. Like Christ we all must have a consistent time of prayer, a place of prayer, and a constant spirit of prayer; a prayer life that hammers away at Satan's kingdom.
As we commune with God we should search for scriptural avenues of including others in our prayers and learn to wait patiently even when the answer seems to be temporarily held up by Satan. Including others can be as simple as praying for the needs of others or praying that the unsaved might be drawn by the spirit of God. Praying for others could be seeking God's direction on how to minister to an individual and their personal needs. We all experience those times when there is a deep desire to minister to others is masked over in how to proceed. Under those circumstances this is the time when the believer desperately needs to be led by the spirit of God and prayer is the key.
Boldness definitely impacts the effectiveness of the believer's prayer life. Boldness has to do with knowledge. This knowledge has to do with understanding the word of truth as well as a personal solid relationship and continual effort towards maturity in one's walk with Jesus Christ. Where there is knowledge, there will be confidence. Where there is confidence there will be a directness coupled with sincerity towards the one that is being addressed. Where boldness exist the supplications presented will be beyond human ingenuity and will be exclusively dependent upon the God of the universe. Boldness comes because there is an understanding of that relationship. This understanding at the same time coupled with boldness knows that within this relationship that the God of the universe wants to do exceedingly abundantly above all that is requested or can ever be conjured up in the finite mind.
And lastly, making certain that what I am praying is scriptural. Some of the things that are sought, at times, may not be in line with scripture. And if not in line with scripture definitely the petitions are not in line with the plans, and purposes of God. This can only be remedied through placing an emphasis on bible study. In addition, an effort will be made to utilize being more specific when praying. Being specific helps one to determine when and if that need has been met. Praying incessantly and with confidence will be further applications utilized. As believers there are times when the believer fails or stops short in requesting or petitioning God; Lot is a prime example (Genesis 18:23-32). God desires to do exceedlingly abundantly above all that we could ever ask or think, but the believer falls short in the asking and the consistent faith to believe.
Prime Objective, Indicators and Steps to Success
The prime objective concerning the believer's prayer life is to be in tune with what God is doing. The scriptures tell us that God no longer refer to the believer as servant because a servant does not know what his master is doing; the scriptures tell us that God calls the believer "Friend" because of making known to the believer His will (John 15:15). Our goal is to commune with God through prayer and to know exactly what it is that He requires. Or goal is to draw near to God through the study of scripture and through prayer with the hope of being transformed and changed into being more like Christ. Our goal is to be able to pray down the strongholds in the city in which we live and surrounding cities and even in this nation. Prayer is something that at times has no audience and is done in private, but the rewards can be immeasurable. Our goal is to pray with confidence that He has heard our cry and that our prayers will bring forth eternal fruit.
Our goal is to pray true, authentic and spirit inspired prayers. True prayer at times may not see the result, but true prayer is founded upon God's word and confidence in that word. True prayer is persistent, specific and is patient. Our goal is to be so reliant upon God through prayer that major and minor decisions pass through this avenue first and foremost. God has called each of us to be a leader and prayer in the life of a spiritual leader is crucial and cannot be over-emphasized. God has called each of us to restore, inform, prepare and encourage the family; it is clearly discerned that the family is under attack. Prayer influences men by influencing God to influence them. Each man or woman that is a part of the Body of Christ should earnestly desire to be influential in the area that God has placed them. There ought to be an earnest desire to influence for God every one and every situation that is apparent as well as those things that are concealed.
As a spiritual leader, one will encounter a blend of people and will at times oversee those people. Each individual will present varying levels of maturity and needs. Leadership carries with it high demands and the desire of any leadership should be to maximize his impact which will necessitate a prioritized prayer life. A spiritual leader's consistency in prayer will assist in minimizing or warding off some of the frustrations that will accompany his spiritual role.
The spiritual leader will need insight and wisdom to know when and how to deal with specific situations, e.g. finances, ministry groups or troublesome people. That leader through prayer is also shaping his own character so as to know how to lovingly deal with those disruptive people. That leader will have daily demands placed upon him and will need wisdom so as to be able to utilize his time wisely, effectively and efficiently; prayer is the key.
Prayer allows for that connection to the power source so that the ministry leader can continue to experience personal growth not only for one's self but also equally for those that are under that leadership. Definite indicators of an effectual prayer life will be consistency when it comes to intercession for others, interceding more effectively by learning to focus more on the spiritual issues of eternal significance rather than the material, physical and temporal needs of the other person. Perhaps the most evident indicator will be the desire to be in the Father's presence more and more each day. The first step begins by prayer and ends with prayer and in between watching God change the hearts of each of us along with the world in which we live.
Conclusion
As a Christian and potential leader there should be a desire to be effective, efficient and a good steward of the priceless salvation delivered to the saints. This good stewardship is evidenced by the believer's diligence or lack of diligence through prayer. Does the believer utilize and cultivate this prayer life? Is the believer's prayer life a first or last resort and does the believer recognize and see the fruits of their own personal prayer life? A consistent prayer life and utilizing prayer principles will definitely lend more than a good start in the right direction for every believer.
Blessings,
Pastor Ken
