Donovan

Prayer Relay Movement May 25, 2020 Leave a Comment

Prayer for Church Growth

Share this with someone

Why is prayer for church growth important? We have been involved in several church plants on different continents. They tend to be some of the most impressive incubators for personal growth in Christ.

There is something about having such a tight-knit community working towards a common vision. There is yet to be the church politics that often come as the numbers add up. This is the time where the firm foundation on which the church will stand is still being built.

At the core of the Christian faith is the great commission. Each one of us is called to play their part in this. To empty the street of hell and fill the golden streets of heaven. The unfortunate part is that we often find that this can become somewhat of a competition between denominations. It is an insult to the great commission when our vision shifts from filling heaven to filling our church pews.

The reason behind this is fairly obvious in most cases. Running a church costs money. There are mega-churches that spend hundreds of thousands of dollars annually on lighting alone. The more people they can get in the pews the more money the church will receive in the form of tithes and offering.

There is a fine line trodden there in pursuit of a noble cause. One can easily cross that line and never realise that they are on the wrong side, because in their hearts the aim is still right.

That is why we are called to guard our hearts.

Proverbs 4:23 New King James Version (NKJV)

Keep your heart with all diligence,

For out of it spring the issues of life.

We are called to remain both watchful and prayerful. Our hearts can be deceived.

Matthew 26:41 King James Version (KJV)

41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

What does church growth look like?

A key part of any testimony is the expectation. If there is no set expectation, what do we have to testify about when God has delivered. It is important that you as an individual and your ministry at large would define what church growth looks like.

In fact, write it down and place it where all can see. As a reminder to you to stay the course, and as a guide for those that will join along the way and those that will come after you.

We will get you started with some of our own goals:

Church growth is the development of a core leadership team that is hungry for the Lord, keen to grow and to disciple others.
Church growth is seeing the ministry improve in its functions, reaching more people and making a greater impact on those we reach.
Church growth is bringing light to those who are without it.
Church growth is doing all the above without losing sight of the purpose of the great commission that Christ set for us.
Church growth is being consistently led by the Holy Spirit.

Now write your own list down. It does not have to be limited to 5 things. It can be more or less than this. Once these things are defined your prayers are more targeted. You have a barometer through which you can measure your progress.

Raise Leaders

No matter what we build as a church. It is often hinged on the leaders that we have. The world at present has one of the great leadership crises that we have seen in our lifetime. Our prayer is that this would not be the case for the church of God.

God forbid that his church would lack leaders. We are praying the Lord will begin to awaken sleeping giants, leaders who do not know that they are leaders. Leaders who are not functioning in the full capacity that the Lord placed in them.

The labours are few

Matthew 9:35-38 New King James Version (NKJV)

37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 38 Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

Consider the last part of the first verse. While there is a harvest to be had, the laborers are few. If you know anything about harvesting, you will know that there is a period in which harvest can be completed before the crops start to fall prey to the elements and pests.

By the same token, if we as the church are not playing our role as harvesters, there is plenty of harvest that is ending up falling prey to the skims of the enemy. What does the same verse tell us to do in response to this lack of laborers? It says “PRAY”. And that is exactly what we are going to do.

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank you for preparing the harvest for us. Our prayer is that you would raise laborers among us. Make me a laborer for your kingdom, oh Lord! Give us the wisdom to be soul winners. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen

Servant hearted

The main difference that we will see between our church leaders today and the leadership that Jesus showed is the servant-hearted nature that is absent today. We may wash feet on occasion, but Jesus washed feet consistently.

It may not have been through the act of washing feet, but symbolically, he washed feet daily. He put others before himself. He led from the front.

Matthew 23:11-12 New King James Version (NKJV)

11 But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

Dear Lord,

We lay our wisdom, our gifts, and goals before you. Teach us to lead as you did. Give us the heart to serve like no other. We pray for true humility in our hearts. Search our hearts, oh Lord, for the arrogance that masks itself as leadership. For positions that mask ignorance. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen

Yearning for your spirit

Psalm 51:10-12 New King James Version (NKJV)

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,

And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

11 Do not cast me away from Your presence,

And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

Church growth is tied to growth in the spirit. It is about moving from one dimension to another. Not just as individuals within the congregation, but together as a ministry.

This happens in such a way that it is contagious. No person should be left behind in times of great growth. We know that on the day of Pentecost, all those that were gathered in one place experienced something phenomenal.

Our prayer is that we would be led by nothing but the spirit of the Lord.

Dear Lord,

We pray that your spirit would lead the church. Let it not be egos, hormones, or our own wisdom that guides us. Lord, let your presence be a testament of your glory. Take not your Holy Spirit. Lead us in all seasons. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

With fire in the bones

Jeremiah 20:9 King James Version (KJV)

9 Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.

This is one of the anchoring verses when it comes to sharing the gospel of the living God. While there were opposition and hindrances in front of Jeremiah, he had no hesitance in sharing the word of God. Let that fire be in our bones as well.

Dear God,

We pray that your fire would be ignited in our churches. Reignite the flames that are dying down or the ones that have burned out. Let the fire in our bones be the state of the church! In Jesus’ name! Amen

Seed to the sower

2 Corinthians 9

10 Now [a]may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, [b]supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, 11 while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.

Based on how we have defined the meaning of church growth to each one of us, consider what seeds need to be sown for this harvest to be achieved? The good part is that we already know that the Lord is faithful to provide seed to the sower.

Dear God,

We thank you for your faithfulness to give seed to the sower. Grant us the wisdom to sow the seed for the harvest that we desire. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen

Harvest

At the heart of church growth is the bringing in of the harvest. In his book, Put Service Back into the Church Service, Jeremy Myers contends that the bulk of people joining our churches are coming from other churches. We are in fact recycling the harvest instead of tapping in the plentiful harvest that is yet to be reached. That ought to change.

The harvest is plentiful

Matthew 9:35-38 New King James Version (NKJV)

37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful,

Dear Heavenly Father, we are eternally grateful for the gift of salvation. We thank you for the harvest that is plentiful. May our eyes always be open to seeing it and all the glory that is within. In Jesus’ name! Amen

Stay the course

Ephesians 6:13 New International Version (NIV)

13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Dear Lord,

We acknowledge that this journey is hardly ever an easy one. We thank you for your companionship. Thanks for walking each day with us. Give us the strength and indeed the boldness to stand our ground and continue to do your will. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Love as you do

1 Corinthians 13:7 English Standard Version (ESV)

7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Dear God,

Forgive us for any time that we have not extended to others the same love that you extended to us. Grant us to love purely. To show the love that bears all things. To embody the love that hopes all things and endures all things. Through Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen

Spirit-Led

Exodus 33:14-16 New King James Version (NKJV)

14 And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

15 Then he said to Him, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here. 16 For how then will it be known that Your people and I have found grace in Your sight, except You go with us? So we shall be separate, Your people and I, from all the people who are upon the face of the earth.”

Dear Lord,

Give us the discipline to never do anything in our own strength. We want to build everything with you. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Humility

1 Peter 5:6-7 New King James Version (NKJV)

6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

Our churches are filled with pride. The word of God tells that pride ushers in downfall. God forbid that his church would fall because of our pride.

Dear Heavenly Father,

We pray for all church leaders today, that you would fill their hearts with humility. That they would always place you ahead of themselves. That they would always place your will ahead of their desires and ambitions. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Eyes on you

Matthew 10:29-31 New King James Version (NKJV)

29 Are not two sparrows sold for a [a]copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Dear God,

Thank you for watching over us eternally. We pray for guidance in all that we do. May our churches be deeply rooted in who you are. In Jesus’ name. Amen

The Great Commission

Matthew 28:19 New International Version (NIV)

19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Father, We thank you for the great commission. Let it be a mantle that we carry now and forevermore. To take the good news everywhere. In Jesus’ name. Amen

May we be true disciples of Christ

John 21:15 New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Reinstates Peter

15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

If you read this scripture, you will recall that Peter was starting to feel insulted by these questions. Yet, the Lord is asking the same of us each day. If we love we too would feed his lambs.

Dear Lord,

We ask that you would guide us in reaching and feeding your lambs. Alone we stumble. At times are get caught up in our own intentions that may seem good. In Jesus’ name. Amen

May the love of money never be a theme

1 Timothy 6:10 King James Version (KJV)

10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

There is rampant greed in the church today. It is common for church leaders to hoard wealth while there are multitudes struggling all over the world. That is certainly not the model that Christ set for us.

Dear Heavenly Father,

We stand against the spirit fo greed and gluttony that has taken over our churches. Raise us as true stewards over every resource that you place in the hands of our church. Not to seek luxuries of the world, but a heavenly harvest. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Closing Statement

Thank you for taking this time to pray for church growth. We believe that is people like you that will make a difference. Send us prayer requests and testimonies.

Share this with someone

Prayer Relay Movement May 20, 2020 Leave a Comment

Powerful Prayer Against Addiction

Share this with someone

There are countless stories and testimonies that we can share about the result of powerful prayer against addiction. The two that stand out in my mind as I write this are one of a man that Spurgeon met on the train, and one of the Hispanic comedian Dennis Gaxiola whose father met Christ while in prison as an addict. He dropped addiction like the bad habit that it is and came to Christ.

Back to the Spurgeon story. He recounts how he met a man on a train that had struggled with an addiction to whiskey. This had caused him to lose his family, health and to plunder a large portion of wealth. He had explained to Spurgeon that he couldn’t stop. Yet that is not the God that Spurgeon knew.

Dennis Gaxiola’s father’s transformation can somewhat be likened to the apostle Paul. He took such a sharp turn, from addicted convicted to a passionate travelling preacher. The beauty of it all is the heritage of faith that he has been able to pass down to his children. It could have been one of addiction.

But for God.

Addiction tears families apart. This is not what the Lord wants for his people. Whatever holds you against your will is demonic. When you are addicted, you ruin relationships with the people around you. You are a slave to whatever it is that you are addicted to.

Todd White is another great example of what the Lord can do. Having been addicted for about two decades, the Lord radically changed his life. Today he travels the world sharing the gospel. Where a miracle is relatable, there is a greater impact. This is the significance of the Lord

Powerful Prayer Against Addiction

Life More Abundantly

John 10:10 King James Version (KJV)
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Addictions place a limitation on what you can do, where you can go and who you can become. The cemetery is packed with dreams, visions and talents that were killed prematurely by addiction. Yet, we know our God to be a redeemer. In the name of Jesus, receive abundant life! As you pray, may the Holy Spirit deliver supernatural solutions.

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, I stand on your word today. This thief that is addiction will not steal, kill or destroy in my sphere of influence. As I pray Lord, whatever addictions that family, friends or acquaintances are struggling with. Father, begin to touch them right now.

May the be brought into a place that you came for. In the name of Jesus, they will have life more abundantly. I pray for a reversal of any damage that has been brought on by addiction. Heal their minds, heal their homes, their hearts and their bodies in Jesus’ name. Amen

Long-Standing Addictions

Mark 9:21-27 New King James Version (NKJV)
21 So He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?”
And he said, “From childhood. 22 And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”
23 Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”
24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”
25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!” 26 Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, “He is dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose.

The saddest thing about addiction is that, for the most part, the sufferers long to be well. They see the damage that it is doing to their family. They are fully aware of the damage that this is doing to their marriage, and to their home. Yet they’re helpless.

The church has often been culpable of not extending a hand of mercy to addicts. It is a sad sight if an addict is to receive better treatment from drug dealers and other addicts than from a born again Christian.

We want to pray for those affected by these issues. Todd White’s testimony gives a clear picture of the sort of damage that his addiction had caused with his family. May God bring redemption and transformation.

Prayer

Lord, we confess as a church, as the body of Christ, that we have often castaway those you would have had time for. Teach us to love as you do.

We pray for families and friends hurt and broken by addiction. Lord heal their hearts. Foster hope into their life. Show them the way to help their loved one. Open their hearts to love unconditionally, as you do.

Lord, we pray for long-standing addictions. Those that people have given up on. Father, we speak light. Let there be light in that darkness. Pour your Holy Spirit as you have done for Todd and for Dennis’ father. Love them when they are at their least loveable state. That is who you are.

Bring transformation as only you can. We command all forms of drug addiction to bow under your anointing as we pray. We speak against sexual addiction and all forms of immorality including pornography that are killing men and women’s souls. Heal them oh Lord. Release them from the yoke of this bondage. We know from your word that, it is on the anointing that can break the yoke.

Free Indeed

John 8:34-36 New King James Version (NKJV)
34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

Prayer

Lord, we thank you for always being a promise keeper. A deliverer, and a breaker of chains. We thank you for all the addictions that you have set free as we have prayed. Thank you for release your people from slavery to sin. As you have set them free, they are free indeed. In the mighty name of Jesus. Amen

Thank you for praying with us. May God be glorified. If you would like to partner with us. Consider becoming a PATREON.

Originally posted 2019-02-07 23:48:23.

Share this with someone

Prayer Relay Movement May 20, 2020 Leave a Comment

Prayer for Guidance: God Show Me The Way

Share this with someone

Prayer for guidance: life changing prayer

The human condition is that we are on our own. Each man for himself. Even the non-believers tend to add “God for us all!” Prayer for guidance is not a way of turning away from our responsibility. It is a way of accepting that you cannot do this on your own.

Most of us won’t realise just how difficult this may actually be in practice. We have a fatherless generation that is having to do things their own way. They have not been able to truly depend on anyone without being let down. It goes without saying, they too need guidance. Yet man’s shortcomings have clouded their view of God.

It is not only those who have bad intentions that end up on the wrong paths. In fact, we are all prone to this. Even with the noblest of intentions, we will likely find ourselves on the wrong path. They do say the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

Proverbs 14:12 New King James Version (NKJV)
12
There is a way that seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death.

Proverbs 14:12 makes this very clear. The man that is spoken of in this verse has the right intention. So he takes what “seems” to be the right path. Yet in the end, it only leads to death. That will not be your testimony! In the mighty name of Jesus

Prayer for Guidance

Dear Heavenly Father, may I not end up on the paths that seem right to me. Paths that will only lead me to death. Guide me away from such paths, oh Lord, that I may walk in your way! Open my eyes to see paths that seem right, but, are not right. In Jesus’ name! Amen.

Exodus 33:15 Then he said to Him, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here.

Those who have stood before us in faith have set great examples for us to follow in this regard. They understood what you should understand today. There is great value in walking with the Lord. Rather be in the flames with him like the 3 Hebrew friends, than on chariots without him. Even in the flames with him, his glory will be seen.

Father, our prayer today is that we would never set off to start anything without you. May we never set off to build or to do anything without you. Let our eyes not be too caught up in doing tasks and ticking off boxes of things done. Even when we think we are doing things in your name, and for the right reasons and causes.

Let this never be done outside of you. If your presence does not go with us, do not bring us from here, oh Lord! In Jesus’ name! Amen

Psalm 37:23 New King James Version (NKJV)
23
The steps of a good man are [a]ordered by the Lord,
And He delights in his way.

Dear Heavenly Father, all of man’s righteousness is filthy rags before you. For you are a holy God. My righteousness is in Christ. Father, I pray that you would order my footsteps. Show me where it is that I should go. May I walk only in your will or not at all.

Guide me in all that I do. Lord, guide me in my relationships, in the workplace, in business and in ministry. May they know that I have been with you when they see me. Let your hand be evident in all that I set out to do. Father use me is a canvas to showcase your glory.

prayer for guidance, father use me as a canvas

Acts 4:13
¹³Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.

You see God took ordinary fishermen and did extraordinary things through them. He took uneducated men and used them to train the wise into his kingdom. The Bible tells us that he uses fools to confound the wise. When you are led by God, your words mirror this. Let us pray!

Dear God, let my walk be a testament to who you are. Father, let it be a shining light to those who know you. May those who see me walking in the footsteps that you have ordered recognise your hand over my life. Impart obedience into me oh Lord. To walk in your will even where it hurts.

As I follow you oh Lord, let it be known, put me in places that my education and training could not ever put me. That your glory may be seen. You are faithful to reward those that diligently walk in your way. Not for my glory, but yours oh Lord. Amen

Proverbs 11:14 New King James Version (NKJV)
14
Where there is no counsel, the people fall;
But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

The success and failure of anything that we ever do will always be influenced by those around us. Not entirely, but those we keep around us play a significant role in who we become. The disciples spent only 3 years with Jesus, but in that time he poured out enough for them to take the gospel to the ends of the earth.

Lord, I pray for good counsel. Surround me with men and women of wisdom. Men and women who would know to stir me to walk in your will. I shall not be found in the counsel of fools! God forbid. Instead, Lord, raise wisdom in my sphere of influence. For such a time as this.

I yield all control to you, most high God. Have your way with me. Amen

May the Lord’s hand be seen in your life, by your prayers today. He is a faithful God.

We want to pray with you. Connect with us on Social Media or send in your prayer requests. If you would like to see our work continue to improve, please consider becoming a PATREON.

Originally posted 2019-02-06 17:55:41.

Share this with someone