Prayer that is big, bold, and beyond was our subject two days ago. In a previous post, we looked at the Manufacturer’s Specifications for prayer. This post will:
- examine (not exhaust) more thoughts in that line
- Share the current need for big, bold prayer
Ephesians 3:20 was the focus in Prayer for Pastor Jack. Our Father is able to do exceedingly and abundantly more than we can ask or imagine. How do we know God’s desire to do the unimaginable matches His ability to do it?
The Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write Ephesians and 1 Corinthians. That is one connection between God’s ability and His desire. Notice:
Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him. I Corinthians 2:9
He has appointed us for good works. Our works are to be seen by others and bring glory to Him. He plans to equip us, empower us, reward us, and fit us for eternal life with Him in Heaven. But all that is about more than just what we can ask for in prayer.
Our fallen nature is still sinful enough to look at these truths and think:
I can ask God for anything because He promises to give me some really awesome stuff
If you see what God says about prayer as a revelation of His heart and love for you, then that statement is true. You will be asking for the right things in the right way. If you understand what He says about prayer as your ‘ticket’ for stuff, then you’ll never be asking according to His will and your prayer won’t amount to much. Here’s a test question:
If the answer to all your prayers was YES, would the world be a better place or just your little corner of it?
The Prayer
Two years ago I was teaching pastors about vision and leadership. I used our ministry to them as an example. Up to that moment my perception of our work with them had been at a beginning level. What the Spirit brought out of my mouth in the next 2-3 three minutes was as amazing to me as it was to them.
I told them our work was not just to help them be better pastors. Our goal was to equip them so they in turn could equip the believers in their care. But it was bigger than that. Our work wasn’t just so their churches could be healthier. If their churches were taught and equipped they could be agents of transformation in their communities. But it was bigger than that. If they were faithful to transform their communities for the Gospel, they could be the catalysts for transforming their region and even their nation for the Kingdom of God. That’s God-sized work and vision! How does it happen?
I left the DR that week having charged those pastors with identifying potential future leaders. We’d studied Paul’s training of Timothy. We called these future leaders Timothys. These Timothys will become pastors and leaders in new churches. The spread of the Gospel in the Dominican society can take a giant step forward. Transformation is taking place and it can move ahead.
It is not God’s will that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
We can pray for this knowing God desires to reach everyone. Our work involves moving pastors, churches, and Timothys toward establishing new congregations and reaching more people with the Gospel. This will take people, resources and prayer; lots of big, bold, beyond prayers.
This is what a year of Pressing On looks like. And it’s why we are asking you to pray like never before. There will be more in an upcoming post. So, please stay tuned in!
0 Comments