. . . our praying has become almost exclusively inward focused. Maybe dangerously so.

At a citywide meeting of prayer leaders, men and women who were know to mobilize and equip Christians to pray, our facilitator asked us to comment on "What is God asking your group to pray about?" Our collective response was both encouraging and disconcerting to me. As almost the final person to share, the concern grew as we went from one person to the next.

Each person, all wonderful men and women of prayer, shared with an obvious passion for their calling and not one duplicated another. It seemed obvious each individual (and, thereby, ministry represented) had a special and specific calling of the Holy Spirit. Responses were anything but generic; each assignment was a strategic piece in the scope of biblical praying.

When my turn to speak came, I was hesitant and said such to the group. I didn't want to sound critical and certainly not superior. Everyone had exhibited a call from the Lord; no better assignment than that! And, no one focus of prayer is better than another, if that is how the Lord has burdened your heart. But. at the risk of sounding judgmental, I pointed out that every one of us had shared an internally focused heart for prayer:

• Spiritual formation
• Prophetic intercession
• Personal intimacy
• Revival 
• Ministry Leaders
• Deliverance
• Contemplation
• Healing of the soul
• Diversity in the Body of Christ
• Unity throughout the Body of Christ
• Passionate worship among collegians . . .

See anything unimportant or unnecessary for praying Christians? Of course not! Anything here optional or non-essential for a praying church? No way!

My point was not that these were secondary matters but that a primary matter was missing. If it is true, and we are all certain it is, that "God is unwilling that any should perish," (2 Pet. 3:9) then we must also have an outward focus when we converse or confer with the Lord. If lost persons matter to God, then their plight must be present in the prayers of every believer and each assembly.

As prayer leaders we must take the lead through personal example and ministry models. It is our responsibility to call the church to pray for the lost by:

• Name--praying for established redemptive relationships with people who are outside of Christ 
• Neighborhood--influencing by prayer and impacting the community through service and acts of ministry
• Nation--lifting to God the leaders of government, commerce, education, etc., and servants of the gospel

Since our merciful Lord wants all to come to knowledge of the truth (2 Tim. 2:4), every focus and facet of prayer must integrate that outcome. The fruit on new Christ followers must become DNA in every prayer; our petitions, intercession, warfare, contemplation, even praise should have an awareness of how God will receive ultimate glory as more and more different and diverse men and women come to faith in his beloved son, our savior.

It seems to me, it is easy to enjoy praying without praying for those who have no eternal joy,

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