DISCIPLE'S PRAYER LIFE (3)

Building a Ministry of Prayer

Acts 2:42 HCSB

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

Now that we have finished the material in TW Hunt’s Disciples Prayer Life we can take some time to look ahead to the fall as our church gears up for another year of ministry.

A powerful church prayer ministry is built on powerful personal prayer

If we as believer’s don’t pray at home, in private, with our families, it is almost impossible to pray together with other believers.

Over these weeks we have looked at multiple ways to pray, multiple ideas to guide us in praying for ourselves, one another, our church, and many other topics.

Now, what do we do with this information?

PROVIDE REGULAR PRAYER GUIDES/PRAYER LISTS

Beginning in August I hope to provide a weekly prayer list. The list will be available in the Worship Folder we use for Sunday’s. It will be on our website, as well as our Facebook Page and Faithlife Page.

One thing I need assistance with: someone to help keep the prayer list up to date. NEEDED: Computer, internet access, and I can teach the rest!

CONTINUING PRAYER CHAIN - Via PHONE/EMAIL

We have a great system set up to share requests.

Let’s take advantage of what we already have in place.

Let me suggest that if you receive a request, keep a notebook of the requests so that we can rejoice when God answers prayer!

SPECIAL DAYS/SEASONS OF PRAYER

While I’m away I plan to work on the church calendar for Sept 2022 - Dec 2023.

There are normal seasons of prayer:

NORTHWEST IMPACT!

This is a season of praying for NWBC ministries - usually during September

NORTHWEST BAPTIST NETWORK

The local network of churches in southwest Oregon hope to provide a prayer guide sometime in October.

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

During late October and through mid-November we will focus on praying the the shoeboxes we send will lead to gospel opportunities.

LOTTIE MOON CHRISTMAS OFFERING/PRAYER FOR IMB

During the month of December we set aside time to pray for those serving across the world.

JANUARY 2023

I am planning to prepare special prayer guides for our church to use as a new year begins.

I plan to call for some morning/afternoon prayer times during January as well.

EASTER OFFERING FOR LOCAL MISSION CAUSES

During March - April we will focus on praying for local ministries such as Hope Clinic For Women, SafeHaven, Child Evangelism Fellowship, Samaritan’s Inn and the Gospel Mission in downtown Roseburg. There may be others added to this list.

MAY-JUNE

I hope to develop specific strategies for praying as VBS and summer camps draw near.

How Can You Help?

A. Practice Prayer!

Develop a habit of daily prayer.

Read biographies of great men and women of prayer.

Study God’s Word on the topic of prayer.

B. Gather with God’s People to Pray

After summer I want to begin a time of prayer prior to Sunday morning activities - gathering around 9:00am and praying for the activities of that Sunday.

If COVID stays dormant we may begin a weekly prayer meeting. Not sure yet of time and day.

C. Enlist and Train new prayer chain (phone/email) team members

I envision meeting together once every three months with all who participate in our phone/email prayer chain - for encouragement and fellowship, for training in prayer, and to pray in person together!

D. Volunteer

Most of what I’ve outlined here are activities we are already doing.

Keeping track of the opportunities, keeping up with current prayer needs and current opportunities to join with others in prayer is something any of you could help me with.

Any of those regular seasons of prayer have multiple opportunities for involvement - setting up displays in the church calling attention to the season of prayer; sharing information via email, website, facebook and other social media outlets; taking the initiative by inviting one or two others to meet with you regularly (in person or on the phone) to pray together;