prayer |
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developing
a culture of prayer pastor Steve Goold, senior pastor |
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"May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice." Psalm 141:2 Many things have intentionally become part of our "culture" as a church family over the years here at New Hope Church: the priority of God's Word, the pre-eminence of Jesus, the high quality of music and worship, compassion for those in need, a commitment to excellence, a worldwide awareness and involvement, frontline integrity with conscience and accountability, an environment of grace, reaching the lost, a love for children, protection of the vulnerable and many other honorable components of who and what we are. Put it all together and we have our "culture," our environment, our brand, our identity. Every local church develops a culture. A strong, healthy, productive, Christ-honoring culture comes over time, with intentionality and as a result of Jesus, the Head of His Body, the Church. Sure, there are many areas where we need to grow and a few aspects of our culture that need to be eliminated or transformed. However, one dimension of who we are, who we represent and what we do is present to a nice extent, but just sort of honorably present. It doesn't really stand out as a major part of our identity and culture. Rather, it is present more in a benign, dormant and "good because it is necessary" kind of way. But not really in a powerful, prioritized, dynamic and "integrated into our DNA" kind of way. I refer to prayer. God has so much more available to us as individuals and as a church family in the arena of prayer. We are doing okay, but just sort of getting by. We pray. We do prayer. We acknowledge prayer. But we are not widely recognized as a "House of Prayer," and that is a fair and accurate perception. Prayer isn't truly a prominent part of our present culture as a church. But it can become that with a holy vision and priority to develop a culture of prayer just like we have clearly created our culture in so many other ways. This can never be accomplished out of guilt or legalism, programs or structure. We shouldn"t feel guilty and we must not institutionalize prayer. God has great plans for us and great power available to us. And He wants us to exploit Him for holy reasons. A lack of prayer is basically a statement of neglect and independence from God. A growing, consistent, eager and powerful place of prayer in our lives is basically a statement of priority for and dependence upon God. Developing a culture of prayer takes time and intentionality. It doesn"'t just happen to Christians or within a local church. It is an attitude. It is modeling. It is grassroots in nature. It is spontaneous and intentional. It is infectious. It flows out of need and out of opportunity. It comes from and leads to worship. It is an overflow from the heart. It is a product of the Holy Spirit. It focuses on the Lord. It grows. One great man of prayer, Edwin Orr, concluded, "Whenever God sets about to do a new thing, He always leads his people to prayer." Divine power is released through prayer. People grow through prayer. God is glorified through prayer. Jesus Christ actually meant prayer to be the great power by which his Church should do its work in the Spirit. So where do we go from here? What can we do to develop a culture of prayer within us as a church? What would a culture of prayer look like? To begin with, we must look back with thankful hearts for our history of prayer through many folks who have come long before us here at NHC. With praise and thanksgiving we honor them. There is no room for a spirit of criticism, no place here for judgmentalism or condemnation. Just thanksgiving and praise for a history of prayer through many who have prayed much over the years. We stand today on their shoulders of prayer. But we are responsible for what we do now and in the futurewhat characterizes us and what we become. So we do have the opportunity to develop and grow a new, authentic, dynamic culture of prayer. Little by little. It is a process. We have already begun. With intentionality and priority we will grow in prayer for the purpose of honoring God, communicating with God and exploiting the power of God at work among us. Here is something of the face of prayer for us to recognize, commit to and become as a church. Here are some components offered as part of a culture of prayer.
Some components are in place and presently vital. Some are just beginning and will grow as we commit and involve ourselves. Some will be implemented and offered in the future. Coupled with dependent and humble hearts desiring to call upon the name of the Lord in prayer, we can and will develop an authentic culture of prayer that becomes a major characterization of us as a church and as individuals. What an honorable and high calling! "I urge, then, first of all that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone..." 1 Timothy 2:1 |
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A Christ Centered Community
for All People |
formerly crystal evangelical free church |
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