Rediscovery: Why do we pray?
"Why do we pray?" This question becomes even more important in the context of church revitalization. In many churches, prayer can become something as routine as folding the bulletins—we do it because it needs to be done. It can also become a meaningless opportunity for transition as the people on stage can move and make changes when no one is looking. When prayer has become routine or unimportant, there is a good chance that the church has grown cold and has began to decline. As we explore the question of why we pray, we understand that prayer is not just a ritual; it's a critical necessity for pastors leading the charge in revitalizing their congregations. Let's explore why making prayer central in church revitalization efforts is not just beneficial but essential.
Acknowledging Our Dependence on God
Prayer is an affirmation of our reliance on divine strength, especially in the context of revitalization, where human efforts alone fall short. In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God invites His people to humble themselves, pray, and seek His face. For pastors steering their congregations toward renewal, this verse underscores the need to recognize our limitations and seek God’s guidance and power in every initiative. Pastors and church members cannot do enough to revitalize their church in their own power. No amount of creativity, strategy, or effort will bring a dying church back to life or sustain life in a thriving church. Our only hope for flourishing is the manifest power of God working in us. Prayer is our confession that we are weak and helpless while our God is strong and mighty. Our prayers of thanksgiving remind us that God has blessed us in the past, and our supplication reminds us that God is still powerful and sufficient to help us today and forever.
Fostering Unity and Shared Vision
Prayer also has the power to unify the church body, aligning hearts and minds with a common purpose. In Acts 1:14, the early church is described as joining together constantly in prayer, showcasing a model of unity that is crucial for revitalization. When pastors and congregations pray together, they cultivate a shared vision and a sense of camaraderie essential for navigating the challenges of revitalization. When a church determines to focus on Christ in genuine, determined prayer, they have less time to focus on selfish desires or on one another. Just as prayer is an opportunity for the church to confess that Christ’s strength is sufficient, it is also an opportunity to confess that God’s plan is sufficient. Meaningful corporate prayer draws the church together around the throne of God and in this place, with this posture, there is no room for division, arguments, or pettiness.
Inviting Divine Intervention and Blessings
Prayer opens the door for God's intervention and blessings, vital for any church seeking revitalization. James 5:16 emphasizes the effectiveness of righteous prayer, promising powerful results. Pastors leading revitalization must rely on prayer to humble the church to a point that the transformative power of God can be experienced in their churches. Prayer puts the church in a posture of expectation. How many churches are not experiencing God’s power simply because they do not expect for God to move? It is easy to settle in a routine of doing religious things without any expectations of power, growth, or blessing. As mentioned above, prayer tunes us to the power of God, but it also gives us hope and expectation that our powerful God will move and bless His church.
Encouraging Personal and Corporate Growth
Effective revitalization requires growth, both personally and corporately. Colossians 4:2 encourages believers to devote themselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. For pastors, this means nurturing a culture of prayer that promotes spiritual maturity and collective progress, laying a strong foundation for sustainable growth. Just as the church relies on the power of God for blessing and growth, the church members should rely on Christ. Our gathered church will be as healthy as its members. Unhealthy, spiritually malnourished members will produce an unhealthy, malnourished church. The pastor must encourage and equip the church to enjoy the spiritual disciples like prayer, not simply to strengthen the church, but out of a desire to shepherd the church well. The revitalization efforts may fail, but leaving behind a group of believers who have learned to love God more, who are faithful in prayer, and who are more spiritually healthy is a true testament to a pastor’s faithfulness.
Engaging the Congregation Actively
Prayer should be a collective endeavor, actively involving the entire congregation. In 1 Timothy 2:1-2, Paul urges that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people. By encouraging active participation, pastors ensure that prayer becomes a communal practice, with every member invested in the church's revitalization journey. Prayer is not something that one person with a microphone does while everyone else sits quietly. Prayer is a group activity and every person in the church should be involved in praying. Personally, I have found it very helpful to invite the church to the altar for prayer in the middle of the service. In churches with a post-sermon altar call, many members will not come to the altar to pray because they are worried about the perceptions of the other members (I understand this is not a justifiable reason, but it is a reality). However there is a mutual blessing when a pastor has the opportunity to pray for the church and the members and the members are free to bring their burdens to the altar as everyone prays together. Whether gathered around the altar or scattered across the sanctuary, revitalizing churches will be praying together.
Conclusion
Understanding "why we pray" provides pastors with a compelling blueprint for incorporating prayer into their church revitalization strategies. By acknowledging dependence on God, fostering unity, inviting divine intervention, encouraging growth, and actively engaging the congregation, prayer becomes a potent force for renewal and transformation. Let prayer be the cornerstone of revitalization, guiding each step with divine wisdom and power.