When we think of the Spirit leading us, we’re often quick to think of some activity that will produce the results we want. But the New Testament pattern reveals that the Spirit leads us to prayer first. They are not just prayers of duty, quickly checked off so that we can get to the real work of the harvest. These prayers are in fact led by the Spirit.
5 Prayer Marks
The Spirit-led prayer of evangelism is marked by five characteristics: It believes God is able and willing (2 Pet. 3:9). It asks for the Spirit to guide it (Eph. 6:18, 19). It listens for the Spirit’s direction and responds with earnestness (Acts 20:22) It believes that it is heard and responded to (Psalm 34:15). It is specific and persistent (1 Kings 18:41-46).
Paul requested this kind of prayer from the church at Colossae: “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. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should” (Col. 4:2-4).
Paul says, “Your prayers can go before my sharing of the gospel so that previously closed doors are now open and ready to receive the message.”
The Bridal Prayer
I think one of the most poignant Old Testament stories happens in Genesis 24 where Abraham’s servant is sent to find a bride for Isaac. He feels incapable of the mission set before him. He fears that he’ll go to the woman with the good news, with the invitation, with the gifts of his master, and the woman will be unwilling to leave her old life and commit herself to Isaac. Does any of that sound familiar to your evangelistic mission?
So what does the servant do? He stops at a hill overlooking the city, kneels down and prays, “Oh Lord … please grant me success today.” As we know, he is successful in his search.
As planters who want to disciple people to be effective in sharing the gospel and bringing a bride to Jesus, prayer must be front and center, first and foremost. It cannot be assumed, perfunctory, religious, obligatory or rote. When Spirit-led prayer goes before our mission, we can move on the mission with abundant confidence that God is at work.
As I survey the American church, prayer has become the assumed reality instead of the practiced priority. I truly believe that if Christians and churches will grow more serious about living in this kind of power, then our evangelistic efforts will once again begin to mirror the results seen in the New Testament church.
This week as you work to perform all the tasks and handle all the responsibilities of your church plant, think about these questions:
How is the Spirit leading me to pray for our church?
In what ways are our church’s prayers unlocking doors in the people and the community around us?
Is our church a house of prayer?
Am I willing to engage in earnest prayers to reach more people with the gospel?