I have never met a church leader who would say that prayer is unimportant, nor have I ever heard a congregation affirm a similar statement. I have, though, worked with many churches who practically show that prayer matters little to them.
In those churches, no particular leader is responsible for coordinating a prayer ministry. Prayer lists are dominated by the trials of church members, often to the exclusion of the needs of non-believers. The praying that does occur is more often reactive than proactive; that is, a problem develops, and then the church starts praying. More specifically, the church does not view their lead pastor as a man of prayer. He prays, of course, but no one thinks prayer is in his DNA.
Great Commission churches, though, stress prayer as a non-negotiable component in fulfilling Matthew 28:18-20. They understand that non-believers are blinded by the enemy (2 Cor 4:3-4) and are held in the domain of darkness (Col 1:13-14). These churches know that God alone changes hearts and gives growth (1 Cor 3:7); thus, they intentionally intercede on behalf of witnesses and non-believers. In most cases, they pray for non-believers by name even as they pray for one another to be bold witnesses for Christ (Eph 6:18-20).
Prayer in these churches is an admission that they cannot accomplish the Great Commission in their own power. Ironically, the churches that best focus on the Great Commission are those who most readily admit their absolute dependence on God to accomplish these tasks. They know they cannot drive back the darkness apart from the power of God. In other words, these churches do the Great Commission from their knees.
Is your church a Great Commission praying church? Are you a Great Commission praying leader? Are you a Great Commission praying pastor?
If not, take time right now to spend time with the Lord. Confess any dependence on self. Ask God to break you and your church over the lostness of the world.
Then, challenge your church members to pray before the Lord’s Day this weekend. You will gather with the people of God differently if you’ve been with Him between now and then.
