Developing a Powerful Praying Church by Richard Blackaby: Lesson Plan: The Importance of Prayer in the Church:

1. Opening Prayer (5 minutes)

Invite a church leader or member to open with a prayer, specifically asking God to guide the church into deeper prayerfulness.

2. Icebreaker Discussion (10 minutes)

Ask the group: “What role has prayer played in your spiritual life and the life of the church?”

Encourage members to share personal experiences with prayer, either individually or in a group setting.Transition by noting that tonight, we will focus on how prayer should be foundational to the life of the church.

3. Scripture Focus (15 minutes)

Acts 2:42:

"And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers."

Matthew 21:13: "My house will be called a house of prayer."

Discussion:

Acts 2:42: How was prayer central to the early church’s daily life?

What impact did it have?

Matthew 21:13: Why did Jesus call the temple a “house of prayer”? What does that imply about the church today?

Reflection: How do these verses challenge us to elevate the role of prayer at Calvary?

4. Key Teaching from Chapter 1 (15 minutes)

Focus Point #1: Prayer as the Foundation of the Church

Blackaby stresses that a church will not experience God’s power and guidance without a deep commitment to prayer. We must rely on God’s strength, not our own efforts.

Discussion: How do we currently depend on prayer at Calvary? Is it central, or do we often move in our own strength?

Focus Point #2: The Difference Between a "Praying Church" and a "Church that Prays"

A praying church is one that integrates prayer into every facet of its life, while a church that prays may treat prayer as secondary, something only done at meetings.

Discussion: Are we a church that prays, or a praying church? What could shift us into becoming a praying church?

Focus Point #3: Prayer Leads to Revival

Blackaby notes that historically, church-wide revivals and spiritual awakenings have always begun with united, fervent prayer.

Discussion: How can we foster a culture of prayer that invites revival at Calvary? What would that look like?

5. Group Activity (15 minutes)

Prayer Circles: Break into small groups and pray together for the following:

That God would increase the spirit of prayer in the church.

That individuals would grow in their personal prayer lives.

That prayer would lead to revival and spiritual renewal in Calvary.

After praying in small groups, come back together and have one person close the prayer time for the whole group.

6. Action Steps and Commitment (10 minutes)

Challenge the group to make a commitment to prayer this week:

Ask them to spend time in daily prayer, specifically asking God to reveal ways they can help foster a praying church.

Personal Commitment: Encourage each person to commit to praying for one specific area of the church (e.g., leadership, outreach, Sunday services, etc.) for the next week.

Church-wide Commitment: Consider organizing a regular prayer meeting where the church can come together weekly to pray for its mission and growth.

7. Closing Prayer and Reflection (5 minutes)

Close the session by praying over the commitments made, asking God to empower the church to become a powerful praying church, and seek His guidance for the next steps.