3 Questions That Could Change Everything

I wasn’t expecting this kind of request.

During my meeting with an executive pastor at a large growing church, the pastor asked if I would help.

He went on to share that he believes God has called their church to a vision that is beyond their ability and capacity. He said the importance of the vision makes them and their work a target for the evil one.

So, the pastor asked if I would pray for him, for the church and for the team. However, he qualified his invitation. To paraphrase, he said, “We don’t need people to say they will pray but don’t actually pray. We also don’t need people who will pray half-heartedly. Instead, we need people who will genuinely commit to praying intentionally and fervently over time.”

Then, he shared four specific prayer requests. He asked that I pray for:

  • courage
  • holiness
  • faith
  • unity

In response, I was pleasantly surprised and powerfully inspired.

For starters, despite their track record of growth, their large and gifted staff, their significant resources and their reputation, this church humbly recognized that they are utterly dependent on the Lord.

Secondly, I was inspired by the specific prayer requests.

Praying for courage means seeking to follow Jesus even when it’s not comfortable and even when our knees are knocking.

Praying for courage means seeking to follow Jesus even when it’s not comfortable and even when our knees are knocking. Click To Tweet

To be honest, I don’t hear very many people anywhere praying for holiness. With so many public failures and so much hidden (and maybe not so hidden) sin, we need leaders, churches and organizations seeking and walking in holiness.

At a time of so much discouragement and even disillusionment, we need faith. We need a bigger, fuller and clearer vision of God. We need to trust Him more in the waiting, in the struggles and in the victories.

Finally, at a time when division and polarizing views seem to rule the day, we need greater unity. As the captain of a tall sailing ship once told our team, “We automatically default to helping one another at sea. If you compete at sea, people can die.” In many ways, it seems that the Church in North America is at sea in the midst of a significant storm. We need to be known for our love, not for our arguments. We need to be collaborating and kingdom-seeking, not empire-building.

More than we know – especially in chaotic and challenging times, we need to pray. We also need to call others to intentional and fervent prayer over time.

The vision God has for you and your organization is beyond your ability and capacity. The importance of that vision makes you and your work a target for the evil one. It’s time to turn the dial up on prayer.

The vision God has for you and your organization is beyond your ability and capacity. The importance of that vision makes you and your work a target for the evil one. It’s time to turn the dial up on prayer. Click To Tweet

Here are three questions that could help change everything:

1. What is the current commitment around prayer for you, your team or your organization?

2. What would four prayer words/phrases be for your team or organization?

3. Whom can you invite to join you in prayer?

 

Cheering you on as you pray!

Dr. Steve A. Brown
President, Arrow Leadership

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