How do we process our emotions, fears and anxieties in this present culture? How do we remain true to God’s words while remaining caring and compassionate? What should our reaction be, and what should be our next steps? If we truly want to experience God’s presence and peace, we must take deliberate time to turn to Him (draw near to God), tune in to Him (actively listen to God’s voice) and be tenacious (keep coming back and don’t stop). Someone has said, “When God shows up, we take off our shoes because we are on holy ground. God takes off His shoes because He is home.”
We desperately need revival and God’s presence. The history of revival in America began with the First Great Awakening in the 1730s. We are told that 15% of the population came to Christ. If that were to happen today, there would be over 51 million people born again. The Second Great Awakening occurred in the early 1800s, and some historians argue that this event had a greater impact on our nation than any other. Then there was the Great Prayer Revival of 1857, where it was reported that 10,000 people a week were coming to Christ in New York City. The Welsh revival of 1904 also had a tremendous impact.
Some do not recognize the Jesus Movement of the late 1960s and the early 1970s as a great revival, but I love what Bill Elliff said about that time: “It seemed like if one guy grabbed a guitar and began to sing, 200 young people would gather and 50 would get saved.” That speaks to me because it was in the early 70s that I gave my heart to Christ, and I remember what he has described so vividly. Humility exposes our need and desperation for God, prayer expresses our desperation to God and seeking His face in desperation expediates His showing up (II Chron. 7:14).
What is the common denominator in all the above movements of God? A man/person of God committed to prayer. A man like Jeremiah Lanphier (Great Prayer Revival of 1857), who wondered that if prayer were vital to himself, perhaps others would benefit as well. He obtained a room on Fulton Street and printed 20,000 flyers, setting the first meeting for noon on Sept. 23, 1857. He began alone, but over time, it grew to the point where it was overflowing with prayer warriors. You do not lead by pointing out what needs to be done and telling others what they should do. You lead by example.
How do you develop a prayer culture in your family and in your church? It begins by you becoming a person of prayer. You must be willing to pay the price. Most are more interested in working hard at everything but prayer. Could it be that we are too busy trying to supplement God’s power with our own planning, strategies, techniques, programs and systems? None of those things is inherently bad or evil, but they can easily cause us to shift our trust and focus from God to ourselves. Would you rather trust in business techniques than the power and presence of God?
Become a prayer warrior and devote yourself to praying for others when they ask you to do so. The custom and temptation is to tell people you will pray for them, but quite often you never do. Why not begin building a culture where you stop right then, place your arm around them, and cry out to God on their behalf? You must build a philosophy and commitment to not just talk about prayer, but to pray. When you notice someone is struggling, why not ask right then if you could pray for them? Lean into their life by crying out to God on their behalf and building a spiritual bond and support through prayer.
Pray over one another individually in your leadership meetings. Before you begin planning, discussing and handling your agenda, break into triads and have each person pray for the person to their left. Ask them what you can pray for them about, and then place your hand on their shoulder as you pray for them out loud. There is something special and supernatural about hearing someone pray over you. Complete the circle of prayer and then proceed to the day’s business. This absolutely transformed the spirit and atmosphere of these meetings where I pastored. Do not cease praying for one another.
Find a prayer partner who is willing to commit to a specific time for you to pray together. My prayer partner and I have scheduled every Friday morning. I look forward to this time of focused petition and supplication on one another’s behalf. Praying for one another pleases God, and it also impacts the one being prayed for in a way that nothing else can. Commit to a prayer partner, but also consider recruiting others to meet with you at least every other week for a planned time of prayer. Also, pray out loud over your spouse and have them do the same for you. This is indeed a great blessing to enjoy together.
Make sure your worship services are focused on prayer, not just an add-on or filler for transitions. In one service, the Lord impressed on me to stop preaching and call for a season of prayer. Everyone bowed their heads and closed their eyes. I asked them if they needed someone to pray for, so they could please raise their hands. The number of hands going up caught me off guard as I selected people to go pray for them. This season of prayer continued when I told them to find someone they felt lead to pray for. Imagine my joy when a 16-year-old boy came to me and said, “Pastor, who is praying for you?”
Work intentionally and strategically to make sure your church is known as a house of prayer. Ask God what next steps you need to take for this to become a reality, not just a desire or dream.
