May Prayer Leader OnLine
Vol 3., No. 5

Introduction

I was shocked by the email responses. Clearly we had hit a nerve. The May issue of Empowered (the five-page section of Pray! that the CPLN puts together) generated the most mail we have received to date. The topic of Spiritually Cleansing a Church had hit on something that most people never think about. For years many of us watch our churches go through the motions, but see little results in people coming to Christ or an increase in the spiritual hunger and pasison of our people.

Perhaps the answer lies in your church's past. Was there a split that was never atoned for, some significant sin in the life of a leader never dealt with, an improper power struggle in leadership that saw a pastor's firing never made right? Those things in the life of a church could be the very reason God's blessing does not come.

If you missed the issue, you can read it on our website. It appears in our new section: Empowered. Perhaps the information provided there could be the key to seeing God bless your church again.

Jonathan Graf
President

It Seems to Me . . .

. . . many of us who lead others in prayer would benefit from a course in marketing.

Recently, a church newsletter arrived in the mail and, since I had preached or led prayer several times there, I was eager to read (at least skim!) the articles and announcements. Would the lead article recast a vision for prayer? Would I see reports of how prayer was infiltrating various ministries? Would the typical list of prayer requests demonstrate a more strategic understanding of why we pray for one another, for the lost, and for the nations?

Well, I scanned the cover page; no mention of prayer in the purpose statement. A graphic for the upcoming National Day of Prayer was prominent but no information or instruction was anywhere to be found on the ensuing pages of the newsletter. Ministries reported many good activities (PTL!) but not one identified prayer as a valued ingredient. The newsletter included a calendar of events, financial information, birthdays and wedding anniversaries but not one praise or petition for prayer.

My purpose is not to criticize. Nothing in the newsletter was inappropriate.

My purpose is to remind, even challenge, us as prayer leaders to be wise stewards of every communication tool at our disposal. A quote in a Sunday bulletin. A brief devotional in a monthly newsletter. A “How To . . . ” pamphlet in a display rack. A book or tape or magazine on the resource table. A banner on the wall. A verse on the church sign. A reminder to each ministry leader. A prayer card in the pew rack. A bookmark from the ushers . . .

Look at your facility, your format. It seems to me we have dozens of opportunities to communicate the purpose, priority, and the power of being praying people. Do you see them? Then use them!

Pastor Phil
http://www.PrayerLeader.blogspot.com

May Teleseminar Repeated June 5

Presenter Ginny Kisling

A glitch during our May teleseminar blocked many people out of the call. We humbly apologize for that error. The good news is that our presenter, Ginny Kisling, has agreed to present the topic again.

“Persisting Even When It Looks Like Nothing Is Happening”

Do you have times where you wonder if your prayer leadership is making a difference? Or do you wonder if you left your post, whether anyone would even notice? Or maybe you are weary of being in the minority and question whether you should step out of leadership? If so, we would like to invite you to be part of our this teleseminar, Monday, June 5th at 8:30 eastern time. Our presenter, CPLN Western Regional Director Ginny Kisling draws upon 8+ years of prayer leadership in the trenches to bring a message of encouragement that you won’t want to miss!

Mark your calendars now for Monday, June 5th at 8:30 Eastern Time, 5:30 pm Pacific Time

Call: 1 (641) 985-1133 Pass Code: 2756#

Dynamic Corporate Prayer

A Scripture Prayer Twist

Praying a Chapter

A few months ago, Rich Charmichael, the publisher of Herald of His Coming newspaper, introduced me to a unique method of corporately praying Scripture. He was leading the Wednesday night prayer meeting at my home church, Christ Community Church in Brazil, Indiana.

Rich had us all turn to the first chapter of Colossians. After some brief instuction on how to find things to pray in the chapter, he had us call out items we saw that could be prayed for. He made a list as we called them out. Next he had us get into pairs to pray together. THen for the next 40 minutes or so, every two-three minutes he called out something from the list. We all prayed on the mentioned topics with our prayer partner.

This method did three things:

1. We learned the power of praying Scripture--a complete chapter of Scripture.
2. Many people did something they had never done before--pray scripture. It was an ingenious teaching method.
3. The agreement factor in the prayer meeting was huge! Because we prayed in pairs, every topic saw dozens of prayers go up at one time.

If your prayer meetings lack zest, try this method. The prayer meeting really moves along, people cannot pray long prayers and dominate the group, and God's will is prayed!

Note: Herald of His Coming is a powerful newspaper on revival that has been published for more than 50 years. It will be sent to you free-though they welcome donations. Simply click on Herald of His Coming for more information.
--Jonathan GRaf

What’s All the Talk about a House of Prayer?
By Jonathan Graf

Many leaders use the term “house of prayer” to describe what they want their churches to become. Most of them mean that they want more prayer to take place or that prayer should to be central to their ministries. But what does the phrase mean biblically?

In Matthew 21, Jesus cast the money changers out of the Temple. “‘It is written,’ he said to them, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it a ‘den of robbers’” (v. 13). After this, “The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them” (v. 14). That is a picture of what a house of prayer really is.

While some may use the story to teach that we shouldn’t sell CDs and tapes in church, that’s probably not what Jesus was getting at. The money changers were charging exorbitant rates for sacrificial animals, implying that the animals brought by the people were not good enough. They had people over a barrel, keeping some from worshiping.

That’s why Jesus quoted Isaiah 56 when he threw out the money changers. Throughout the passage, outcasts of Hebrew society (eunuchs and foreigners) were able to freely worship in God’s Temple: “‘Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’” (v. 7). A house of prayer is a place of acceptance--a church that will welcome everyone and will shun no one. The house of prayer has no barriers to prevent people from seeking of God.

That’s easier said than done. No matter how free from prejudice we may appear, we tend to feel more comfortable in churches with people who are like us--in the same socioeconomic class, race or season of life. Usually, we choose which church to attend by asking, “How is it going to meet my needs?” When that happens, we can’t help but give off “not-for-you” vibes to anyone who is different.

The only way for a church to overcome its exclusivity is for its people to learn about God’s heart and to look at things through His eyes. No one can understand the Father’s heart without prayer! A prayerless person or church cannot and will not see things through God’s eyes. It’s impossible to act in God’s love and power without knowing His heart.

As churches and individuals, we need to consistently increase our levels of prayer and allow Jesus to infuse His life and heart within us. Prayer causes us to draw more freely from the vine. Remember: “‘If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. . . . If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you’” (John 15:5, 7).

So if you want the label, "House of Prayer," look at how open your people are to those not like them. Are they welcome in worship? Will people talk with them warmly when they come? Pray for God's heart to help you get past those hidden prejudices.

Jonathan Graf is the president of the Church Prayer Leaders Network. He is also the author of The Power of Personal Prayer (NavPress). You can reach him at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .

Children and Prayer

Resource Review
Children, Can You Hear Me?  By Brad Jersak
Retail: $15.95

 
Every parent, grandparent, Sunday School teacher, children’s pastor . . . and anyone else who works with children, this book on “listening prayer” will not only teach children how to hear the voice of God, but it will open your spiritual ears and eyes as well!

Remember, the youngest among us are quite capable of hearing the voice of God unless we, by our words or actions, tell them that He doesn’t speak! Children do not have a junior Holy Spirit! In His Word, God has said that there are some things that are hidden from adults and revealed only to little children (Matthew 11:25). This may be because childrens' spirits are so willing to receive!

In Can You Hear Me? Canadian author Brad Jersak effectively and powerfully shares with children in a first person way, how they can experience what it means to know His voice and to speak to Him in every situation, no matter where they are or what they are doing. Here is an excerpt: “You won’t usually hear me with your ears or see me with your eyes--although I might surprise you . . . But your heart will see me, your heart will hear me, and your heart will know me. That’s because I made you!” The book can be read to children (ages 3 to 6), or by children (6 to 8); however, it can also be used as a daily devotional (each page includes Scripture). Jersak has also included a wonderful section for adults at the end of his book that is invaluable.  Incredibly illustrated by Ken Save to show Jesus interacting with children as He teaches them how to listen with their hearts and to pray, you and the children in your life will be captivated by the simplicity of this powerful message!

• Brad Jersak has also written an adult version of this book entitled, Can You Hear Me? Tuning in to the God who Speaks.

Both of these books can be purchased at http://www.prayershop.org/

Ignite Your Prayer Life

Do you need a shot in the arm where prayer is concerned? How about people in your church? If your answer is "yes," then you need to think about attending one of three regional conferences the CPLN is hosting this fall.

September 15-16, San Jose, CA
Keynote Speakers: Jon Graf, Ginny Kisling

September 29-30, Dallas, TX
Keynote Speakers: Dr. Alvin Vandergriend, Dr. Jerome McNeil

November 10-11, Cleveland, OH
Keynote Speakers: Jon Graf, Dave Butts

Cost: $45 ($36 for CPLN members). But each conference has an early bird special for $36 ($28 CPLN). And pastors can come for half price! ($22) Register at least five from your church and receive a 20% discount!

For more information, click here, or call 1-800-217-5200.