It’s Time to Teach God’s People to Pray

I once heard two deacons at the First Assembly of God church argue about which one knew the most about the Bible. One of the men said, “I bet you ten dollars you can’t even say the Lord’s Prayer.” The other responded, “Now I lay me down to sleep; I pray the Lord my soul to keep…” The first deacon, surprised, said, “I didn’t think you could do it,” and gave him the ten dollars!

We would never hear of something like this happening in one of our OMN churches, right?

Jesus, quoting from Isaiah 56:7, said, “My house shall be a house of prayer.” (Luke 19:46 ESV) How does the church or ministry you lead measure up to this mandate? Is it time to teach the people you shepherd and lead to pray? If so, here are a few ways to teach His people to pray and become a house of prayer.

Teach them to pray privately.

Instill in them the spiritual habit of spending daily time alone with God. Jesus said in Matthew 6:6, “When you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (ESV)

Teach them to pray corporately.

Acts 2:42 tells us the early church was devoted to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, and corporate prayer. We need to incorporate corporate prayer times into the life of our church and ministry.

Teach them to fast and pray.

The church leaders of Antioch understood there are important times, such as when making significant decisions, to call His church to prayer and fasting. In Acts chapter 13, it says, “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’” (Acts 13:2 ESV) Are you heading into one of those important times?

Teach them the value of anointing and prayer.

James 5:14 “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.” (ESV) Where do you provide an opportunity for God’s people to follow these instructions from James?

Teach them to tarry in prayer.

I know tarry is a word we don’t use much in our modern language, but it conveys the idea of removing our agenda and intentionally slowing down, waiting, and lingering with God. The prophet Jeremiah wrote in Lamentations 3:25, “The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.” (ESV)

John Wesley said, “Nothing is done in our world except by believing prayer,” and Joni Eareckson Tada said, “Faith moves mountains, but prayer moves God.” It’s time again to teach His people how to move the hand of God.

Leadership Lesson: God works when His church prays.