Church Culture - Prayer

The initial stage of revitalization is the discovery process, which is basically learning to accurately access the church according to Acts 2:42-47 so that health evaluations can be made.  When we completed our assessments, it was clear that our church was obedient in the area of prayer; but we couldn’t figure out why were in decline since we were a praying church.  This just was not making sense in our minds.  However, during the overseer training, we were told that when a church tests high in prayer but low in evangelism; the primary issue that the church needs to refocus on is evangelism.

With that said, we have been making our primary focus to equip people with evangelism tools, but also to get our congregation on mission in the community, “always ready to give an answer of the hope within them” (I Peter 3:15). Therefore, we will be offering monthly mission opportunities for small groups of people to serve using their various gifts in the community.  This doesn’t mean that everyone needs to sign up for all of them, but instead we encourage you to simply sign up to serve where and when you find the mission opportunity best matches your interests and skills.
 
Jesus modeled prayer for his disciples in Matthew 6:8-15.

“Therefore, do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Five parts of Jesus’ model of prayer:

1) Honor God, “…hallowed be Your name.”
Let them praise the name of the Lord, for His name alone is exalted; His glory is above earth and heaven (Psalm 148:13). Focusing on God’s names helps us to get our eyes on how great our God is and how small our problems are in His hands.

2) God’s Kingdom, “Your Kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you (Matthew 6:33). God’s will is, “that all men be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:3-4). When we pray for people to be saved or to grow in God’s grace and knowledge (2 Peter 3:18), we are praying for God’s will to be done in their lives.

3) God’s Provision, “Give us this day our daily bread.”
And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).  God promises to supply each and every need that we have.  Therefore, when we pray and trust this promises, He is bound by His word.

4) God’s Forgiveness, “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors…For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. Because God has forgiven us, we can also forgive others (Ephesians 4:31-32).

5) God’s Power, “And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.”
For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline
(2 Timothy 1:7). 
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil (Ephesians 6:10-11).

Because we have been spiritually baptized into Christ, we have identified with His death, burial, and resurrection. Therefore, positionally we are seated with Christ in the heavenlies in power and authority over the enemy. Because we are “in Christ,” we have His power over sin simply by yielding ourselves to the power of the Holy Spirit in us.