PRAYER & SPIRITUAL WARFARE: MINISTRY OF PRAYER

If God must work and growth and revival experienced at this time, we must return to our prayer chamber. The sin of prayerlessness must be dealt with. Lukewarmness, coldness, tiredness and listlenessness in prayer must be taken away. Prayer must return as the MAIN BUSINESS of our life and church. The church must elevate prayer to ministry status.

Prayer, believing prayer is God’s price for supernatural power in our life and in the church. “No prayers, no conversion; no prayer, no power, no growth. Prayer then is not option, but mandatory, if growth must occur. The church that never prays never grows.

A. Scriptural foundation: 1 Chro. 16:11; P. 2:8; Luke 18:1; 1 Thes. 5:13; 1Tim. 2:8; John 16:24; matt. 7:7; Matt. 21:13.

Prayer is emphasized for three main reasons:

1. If you don’t ask, receive – Gen. 26: Jam. 4:22.

2. God’s intervention in our lives will be based on our prayers-Mat. 18:18

3. Case studies of God’s working in churches and generations have one recurring factor-prayer Act 1:13-14

• The first century church-Act 1:13-14
• Paul’s ministry Gal. 4:19: Col. 1:9-12; Phil. 4:6
• Contemporary church Korea, Argentina, China and USA

We can safely conclude then that without fervent, importunate, believing prayer the church cannot truly experience growth. Church growth is related to the prayer life of the church. The church with the least developed prayer ministry records lease growth. The decline of the church is the testimony to the neglect of prayer.

B. Prayer must have first priority

Prayer must be given a ministry status in the church. Prayer must become the number one ministry of the church. It is when we accord prayer such priority that supernatural growth will come.

Consider the following:

1. Prayer is number one with God Isa. 45:11
2. Prayer is number one with Jesus Christ-Mark 1:35; Luke 6:13
3. Prayer is number one with Holy Spirit Rom. 8:26
4. Prayer is number one purpose and use of God’s word-Eph. 6:18
5. Prayer is number one in the life of faith Jan. 5:8
6. Prayer is the number one in the battle against Satan-2 Cor. 10:4-5
7. Prayer is number one ministry of the church-Acts 1:14; 6:4; Mat. 21:13

C. Prayer that touches Heaven

Prayer is not preparation for battle only, it is the main battle. The prayer that will bring growth, heath and world evangelization must include warfare. It is such prayer that will touch heaven. The prayer that touches heaven is the one that brings results answers, growth, power, change and blessings to our lives and churches.

1. Prayer is number one with God Isa. 45:11
2. Prayer is number one with Jesus Christ -Mar. 1:35; Luke 6:13
3. Prayer is number one with Holy Spirit – Rom 8 26
4. God’s word – Eph. 6:18 Prayer is number one purpose and use of
5. Prayer is number one in the life of faith Jam. 5:8
6. Prayer is number one in the battle against Satan-2 Cor. 10:4-5
7. Prayer is number one ministry of the church-Acts 1:14, 6.5, mal. 21:13

The prayer that touches heaven is the:

1. Prayer with faith – mark 11:22-25; Jam. 1:5-8
2. Prayer from a pure heart 1 Tim. 2:8; 1 John 3:22
3. Praying according to His will – Ham. 4:2-3
4. Praying with fating-Mal. 17:21
5. Praying with earnestness James 5:16-18
6. Praying with persistence – Mal. 15:21-28; John 20:10-18

Recommended Reading
FLOURISHING MINISTERS, FLOURISHING MINISTRY
Divine Favour: The Difference Between Labour and Favour
EVIL ARROWS BACK TO SENDER (Special Prayer Points) 

D. Prayer as Ministry

The key for all growth lies in the prayer life. If the church don’t have a prayer emphasis the planning, preaching and programming will be powerless.

1. Pastor as man of prayer – Luke 6:12; Act 6:4

If he doesn’t set the example the people will not follow. His people must know him as a man of deep prayer. Pastors tend to be activists, yet they must get serious enough about the growth of their church to create time for prayer.

2. Payer concerts

• Personal prayer life of people
• Family alters
• Minister of prayer
• Group prayer meetings
• Prayer warriors
• School of prayer
• Week of prayer
• Specialized prayer team for programmes.

3. Corporate prayers – Mat. 18:19; Act 12:5-10; Eccl. 4:9-10

• Early morning prayer
• Prayer before service
• Prayer during and after service
• Weekend prayer and fasting
• Using public holiday for prayer and fasting
• Declaring periods of waiting upon God.

4. Intercessor-1 Tim. 2:1-2

• Men and women gifted for intercession part time or full-time engagement
• Interceding for specific areas
• Sinners to be saved
• Church leaders
• Our Nation
• World evangelization
• Church health and growth
• Warfare intercession
• Build a prayer room, mountain or house

5. Prayer walking-Jam. 1:3; Gen. 13:17

• Prayer walk your church – Jericho battle
• Prayer walk your street
• Prayer walk your community
• Prayer walk your Region
• Prayer walk your city
• Prayer walk seat of government
• Prayer walk your country
• Praise march your area

6. Features of these Prayers

• Confession and repentance John 1:9
• Petition-Matt. 7:7
• Prayer of faith – Jam. 5:15
• Binding and losing – Matt. 8:18
• Praise and adoration -I Thess. 5:18
• Praying in the spirit – Jude20: Rom. 8:26