Seven Keys to a Mission-Centered Prayer Life
These seven keys, by J. Chris Schofield help believers reclaim a personal passion to pray unceasingly. The Christian life is won or lost with the practice of the basics of the faith (i.e., prayer, witness, fellowship, worship, discipleship, Bible study, giving, etc.). One of these basics is the spiritual discipline of prayer.
Prayer is not simply a religious activity or a discipline; it is a vital element of a Christian's relationship with God in Christ. When we examine the life of Christ, it is evident that His life was permeated with prayer that focused on the fulfillment of the Great Commission. (see Luke 6:12; 11:1; 18:1; John 17).
The same can be said of the apostle Paul (see Col. 4:2-4; 1 Thess. 3:11-13; 2 Thess. 3:1-2) and the first-century church (see Acts 1:14; 2:1-11; 4:26-31; 10; 12:5; 13:1-4). Jesus, Paul, and the first-century church were faithful to practice basic prayer foundations. There are many foundational prayer truths found in the Bible.
Listed below are seven key prayer essentials that are necessary in the life of a believer who is going to be on mission with Christ through prayer.
Sanctified Prayer - This has to do with one's position in prayer. The initial position as a priest in Christ's Kingdom comes at the new birth through the blood of Christ. Christians are enabled to come before God on behalf of others because of what Christ has accomplished in them on the cross. A continual position of effective prayer is maintained and strengthened as a person's relationship with Christ through prayer is kept pure and clean through confession and holy living. Key texts include Psalm 51:10-13; Hebrews 10:19-25; James 5:16; 1 John 3:21-22; Revelation 1:4-6.
Steadfast Prayer - This relates to persistence and perseverance in prayer. Believers are often tempted to give up on difficult situations or are easily discouraged when they have prayed for a while and have seen no outward results. Many have prayed for decades finally to see their answer come. One writer has said prayers that take those long voyages come back heavy laden with precious cargo. To "pray through" something is to practice steadfast prayer (see 2 Chron. 7:l). Key texts that demonstrate this essential are Psalm 130:1-8; Matthew 7:7-11; Luke 18:1-8; Colossians 4:2.
Specific Unified Prayer - This pertains to the way a person prays as well as the need for believers to unify and focus in their prayer efforts. There is too much generality in prayer today. In order to see specific answers specific prayers have to be prayed. Every major move of God in history was preceded by a unified and focused prayer effort. There is power in unified praying. Key texts include Matthew 9:35-38; 20:29-34; John 17:9-26; Acts 4:26-31; 12:5-17.
Sensitive Prayer - This has to do with a Christian's need to listen to the Lord in prayer. It also deals with a believer's ability to exercise wisdom and discernment in prayer. Christians need to be still before the Lord and seek to know what they are being led to pray about. Without a willingness to be sensitive to Christ's direction in prayer, a believer will often miss God's will in prayer. Key passages are Psalm 46:10; Isaiah 50:4-5; Acts 8:26-40; 10:1.
Spirit-Filled Prayer - This prayer essential relates to the New Testament teaching for Christians to pray in the power, control, and help of the Holy Spirit. When a believer prays in the Spirit, He (the Spirit) focuses, fashions, and filters the believer's prayers. This kind of praying happens in the lives of those who are walking in the Spirit and living transforming lives. Key texts include Romans 8:1-17; 26-27; Ephesians 6:18-20; Jude 20.
Surrendered Prayer - This key pertains to a believer's willingness to submit to Christ's will in prayer. Many believers enter the prayer closet with preconceived ideas about how God is to answer their prayers. Yet often believers' thoughts and desires do not match God's sovereign purposes in a situation. The key to seeing God's redemptive work accomplished through prayer rests in a believers' ability to lay aside his or her personal will in exchange for Christ's. Key passages are Luke 22:39-46; John 12:28; 17:1-22; 2 Corinthians 12:1-10.
Service-Centered Prayer - This essential prayer foundation has to do with a believer's willingness to obey God's call through prayer. For some believers, the prayer closet can become a safe haven for reluctant witnesses. Prayer and service go hand-in-hand in the Christian life. Effective prayer for the redemption of others is accompanied with a willingness to witness. Key verses are Psalm 143:10-11; Acts 16:6-10; Romans 10:1-4; 1 Timothy 2:1-8.
--J.
Chris Schofield
http://www.namb.net/evangelism/dev/prayer/PrayerMap/sevenkey.htm
Revised: October 19, 2000.