Can anything be more corrupting to the health of a congregation than leaders who neglect assembling themselves for unified prayer?
Prayer is an act of humility. It is an indispensable first step to revival (2 Chronicles 7:14). It is an acknowledgement of dependency. It is a statement that without God we can do nothing (John 15:5).
Consider the many churches that do not have unified prayer gatherings. And for those who do, is it really possible that it is often conducted in the absence of the church’s leaders? Can it really be true that pastors, elders, deacons, and an assortment of other ministry leaders often find excuses for non-participation? Could these leaders actually believe that prayer, and their presence or absence at prayer gatherings, is inconsequential?
Are we leaving the task of corporate prayer to two godly white-haired ladies in the basement of the church one hour per month?
From over 61 years of church attendance, we have witnessed this to be common throughout the body of Christ—in churches everywhere it is prevalent.
Consideration: Some church leaders may legitimately not be able to assemble when unified prayer is scheduled. Should they consider what is best for their congregation and step out of their position until they can be present? Isn’t their absence harmful to the health and well-being of their congregation?
Don’t congregational members follow the leaders? When pastors, elders, deacons, and others who serve in leadership roles excuse themselves from prayer, doesn’t it send a very strong message, and doesn’t that message communicate that:
- Prayer is a waste of time.
- Prayer is dispensable.
- Prayer is a mere formality, a non-essential ritual.
- Prayer does not work.
- All that is needed to accomplish God’s business is more money and staff.
- Ministry objectives can be reached with our intellect, by analyzing trends, statistics, demographics, and by using innovative and trending apps.
Regardless of what excuses are given for non-participation in corporate prayer, those six messages are sent to the congregation when leaders are not seen assembling with and participating in unified, persistent, and extraordinary prayer.
We have extensively researched and written hundreds of revival accounts, and these visitations of the Holy Spirit consistently began with unified and extraordinary prayer. In light of what we have learned about revivals, we must ask the question:
Could the excuses church leaders make for not uniting in prayer be the greatest barrier to revival the Church is facing?
Consideration: Go to your church’s next scheduled prayer gathering (if you even have one). Take note of how many pastors, elders, and ministry leaders are present.
Would it be fair to use the percent of leaders assembled at these gatherings as a thermometer by which to measure a given congregation’s passion for Christ and His glory, as well as a means whereby we can measure a congregation’s humility and dependency on God? Couldn’t their attendance, or lack thereof, be used to measure a church’s spiritual health? Are these fair questions to ask to enable one to make this evaluation?
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