By Daniel Henderson
One of the great challenges in developing a real culture of prayer in a local church is the need to sustain long-term motivation that will overcome temporary discouragements and practical set-backs. I have learned that the key to maintaining consistent inspiration is the right motive. Over the years, I have experienced and observed some typical, but misguided motives for participating in prayer gatherings which are:
Guilt?
Because we know prayer is commanded, important and expected, we feel obligated to attend prayer meetings. When we falter, we feel guilt. Yet this will not sustain us and usually keeps us from enjoying the experience.
Acceptance?
Because of our struggles with performance-based acceptance, many people think the more they pray the more God will love them--or the more acceptable they will be to the church leaders or members of the congregation. We ought not to pray to be accepted by God or anyone else. That was settled already at Calvary’s cross.
Church growth?
It is common in a world where “bigger is always better” to adopt prayer as the next and newest strategy for church growth. I’ve learned through much soul-searching that while God delights in a praying people and is eager for the advancement of His church, He will not reduce something as pure and distinctive as prayer to the next strategy for our human-centered success. This explains why prayer tends to come and go in some churches. When is does not succeed as a church growth tool, it is discarded for a more “effective” methodology.
Revival?
In our progression toward a purer motive we may embrace the vision for revival. What a noble ambition. Yet my heart has been challenged by the inquiry of a conference speaker I heard many years ago. He asked, “Are you seeking revival from God or are you seeking God for revival?” Almost every Christian leader longs for revival (as long as it starts in our denomination.) I often wondered if, after the great revival came then subsided, “Would I still pray with the same passion?” I hope so.
Worthy to be Sought!
Ultimately, the only enduring motive for prayer is that God is worthy to be sought. The church may or may not grow, revival may or may not come, but HE IS WORTHY! Just before the weekly prayer meeting when energy is low and the anticipated attendance is even lower, motivation is fuelled in knowing that regardless of my feelings, the numbers or the results: God is worthy to be sought.
His worthiness will be our captivation in eternity (Rev. 4:11, 5:9-14). It can be our compulsion on earth and give us the consistent desire to pray, day in and day out, until we see Him face-to-face.
 Daniel Henderson is a pastor and President of Strategic Renewal (www.strategicrenewal.com ). He serves as asst. professor of renewal and church leadership at Liberty University & Seminary and writes extensively on prayer and renewal. The article was adapted from his book, Fresh Encounters (NavPress, 2004).
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January 2008 
