Looking Ahead Part Four (Prayer Groups)

“Do you pray?”

I asked that question to a friend of mine recently, because I had something I wanted him to pray for me about. But what’s the use of sharing it with him if he’s not going to pray? Have you ever had someone tell you they would pray for you, only to have the sneaking suspicion that they were lying through their teeth? In Acts 2 we find that the new church prayed regularly together. The prayer that they experienced is seen in their friendships, small groups, and large groups. I need to come out in the open and say something. I believe in prayer. I believe that God does work His will according to the prayers of His people.

But do His people pray?

I hope that you have a personal habit of prayer. That habit should be a daily one. But a few years ago I realized a difference in prayer when I was not only praying for myself, but also for the needs of others. This is what we call Prayer Group. Our vision path, Large Group, Small Group, Prayer Group, is the essential path of growing disciples. But this path is not meant to be experienced in progression, it is the simultaneous action of a growing follower of Jesus.

Recently someone was asked to evaluate our church, and when the area of Prayer Group was mentioned she transparently shared that she didn’t know that we even did that. You know why? It’s because we’ve done a terrible job at promoting this part of our Vision Path. We’ve prayed and encouraged prayer, but I don’t think we’ve really involved everyone. The reason, if I can be totally open with you, is because we don’t know how. I don’t feel that I’ve ever been part of a church that excelled at mobilizing the people to pray. I’ve heard of churches that do some exceptional things, but I’m trying to figure out how to make prayer and ordinary thing.

The way we help people participate in Prayer Groups are through Sunday morning prayer, small group prayer, www.severnriverchurch.com/viewprayers, prayer walks, and Prayer Partners. We have utilized each of these things, but in 2008 our main focus will be on Prayer Partners. I believe that it will transform your prayer life and the life of our church to be praying for one another. The expectation we have of prayer partners is that they will contact each other weekly to find out how we can pray for each other; then pray for them daily. I believe it will change their life. I believe it will change your life.

What if there were people who really prayed for each other. Connect to Prayer Group in 2008. That’s my vision and I’m sticking to it.

--Ben