“This Room Is Prayer Conditioned!”

An Idea for Prayer Champions

Out of the dozens of incoming e-messages the other day, one stood out. The subject line read: "Prayer Conditioned Church." It got me thinking. Is the congregation I pastor “prayer conditioned?” In fact, what does it mean to be “prayer conditioned?”

Many churches have prayer coordinators, prayer ministry teams, prayer workshops, prayer vigils, prayer meetings, prayer rooms, prayer retreats, prayer lists, but, are the members “prayer conditioned?” When sickness strikes, do they ask someone in the church for prayer? After a weekend worship service, do spontaneous prayer circles appear? Can you hear children praying in their Sunday school class? Is the prayer room used by several generations throughout the week? Does everyone participate in prayer when committees and teams meet for planning and decision-making?

It seems to me that to many long-term Christians, a “prayer conditioned” church is much like an air conditioned one! We expect the church facility to be cool and refreshing when the temperature soars without any participation or responsibility on our part, other than enjoying the benefits. As an antidote, consider posting signs on the doors of each room in your facility that issue a “warning”: This room is prayer conditioned!

Post it in your weekly bulletin and monthly newsletter. Add it to your letterhead: This Church Is Prayer Conditioned!

Keep the signs up before a concert of prayer, throughout a sermon series on becoming a praying congregation, or after a prayer workshop.