Passionate Prayer for Pivotal Times Developing Strategic Prayer for Your World

" Prayer in the name of Jesus is the only way to share in the mighty power which Jesus has received from the Father for His people... effective working first needs effective praying." Andrew Murray, With Christ in the School of Prayer, 142.

“To the use of Scriptures the early Christians added prayer as a prime necessity in all evangelistic enterprise.” Green, Evangelism in the Early Church, 235.

Introduction Decline of our Churches Losing our Culture Church is Blending with the Culture More Evangelical Churches closing than being started What can we DO?

PRAY! It’s time to Pray—Jeremiah 33:3 Two Strategic Prayer Strands Prayer Toward Revival/Renewal and Spiritual Awakening-- Psalm 85; 2 Chron. 7:14 Prayer Toward The Great Commission-- Matt. 6:9-10

Defining the terms Revival—Believers experiencing a restoration of fellowship with God (Psalm 85:6) Spiritual Awakening—Large numbers of lost people becoming aware of God, His presence, their spiritual condition and need for Christ. Prayer Evangelism—Being on Mission with Christ through personal, congregational and kingdom prayer that is focused toward the Great Commission.

Biblical Examples of Strategic Prayer 2 Chronicles 7:1-18 Nehemiah Timothy 2:1-8 Acts 2; 4:23-33 Matthew 6:9-13

Historical and Contemporary Examples Layman’s Prayer Revival ( ) Moravian Revival (1727) Lewis Islands (1949) China (today) New Life Baptist Church, Conover NC

Prayer For Revival and Awakening Pray toward Personal Holiness and Renewal (Psalm 51; John 17:17) Pray for a Renewed Passion for God’s Presence and Desires (Psalm 46:10; 42) Pray toward Personal and Congregational Revival through the Fresh Blowing of God’s Spirit (Ezekiel 37) Pray for a Renewed desire to Walk with Jesus in Abiding Prayer (John 15) Pray for believers to return to their first love (Rev. 2:1-7)

Praying Toward the Great Commission A Biblical Perspective Prayer and Preparation to Witness Prayer and Proclamation of the Gospel Prayer and Preservation of New Converts

Prayer and Preparation Evangelism Prayer for the lost (Matt. 6:10; 1 Tim. 2:1-4) Prayer for laborers (Mat. 9:35-38; Acts 13:1- 3) Prayer for personal holiness and unity in believers (Ps. 51:10-13; John 17) Prayer for open doors for the gospel to be shared (Col. 4:2-6; Acts 10-11) Prayer that creates an divine encounters for the Gospel to be shared (Acts 10-11:18)

Prayer and Proclamation Evangelism Prayer for bold proclamation (Acts 4:29-31) Prayer for the proper words to be proclaimed (Is. 50:4-5; Eph: 6:18-20) Prayer for Kairos timing (Col. 4:2-4) Prayer for protection to proclaim (Rom. 15:30-33) Prayer for power to proclaim (Eph. 3:18-21)

Prayer and Preservation Evangelism Prayer for new converts to be protected from the evil one (Mat. 6:13; John 17) Prayer that new converts will abound in love for believers and all men (1 Thes. 3:9-11) Prayer new believers will bear fruit in every good work (Col. 1:2-11) Prayer that new converts will know and do God’s will (Col 1; 9; Eph. 1:17-18) Prayer for the seed of God’s Word to bear fruit in folk’s lives (2 Thess. 3;1; Isa. 55:10- 11).

Mobilizing Strategic Prayer for World Evangelization and Awakening Prayer Grams/Lines Weekly Windows World Religion Prayer Guides State Prayer Lines Prayer Journeys- International, SFC Cities Adopt People Groups Prayer Initiatives Prayer Groups Prayer Walking Prayer Chains Prayer Rooms Prayer Stations Prayer Summitts Prayer Training

Contemporary Considerations Prayer ministries will need to flow out of prayer passions (affinity prayer groups) Strategic prayer should be sensitive to both church and non-church cultures Prayer for revival, awakening and toward the Great Commission is the heart of strategic prayer Web-based networks provide avenues for involvement in Kingdom-oriented prayer emphases Field-based prayer ministries provide excellent opportunities for congregations to utilize prayer as an avenue for genuine relationship building Denominational missions praying must be taught and modeled Participation in Inter- denominational prayer efforts is essential

Summary of Strategic Prayer Biblical Prayer Patterns Prayer that is Contextual Prayer that is Relative to Contemporary Culture Prayer that is focused on Renewal and Revival Prayer toward the Great Commission (Prayer Evangelism, Awakening) Prayer for Believers, Unbelievers, Evangelism Efforts, Personal Spiritual Needs Prayer with Personal, Congregational, Kingdom Focus