Today let’s ask the question How do we Build a Culture of Prayer?
Recently while in Wellington I was invited to a prayer meeting in Taita, a small town, in the Stoke Valley. The minister opened in worship, and then ask us to turn to the scriptures in Luke 22:39-
He was talking about Jesus entering the Garden of Gethsemane. How Jesus stopped to tell His disciples to pray and to guard themselves from temptation. He told them of the importance prayer has in guarding our hearts and lives from temptation. As He was concluding His message He introduced me and invited me to bring a concluding message or word for the church. It was quite funny as just before this I was saying to the Lord it’s nice to sit in church, being able to hear and receive, without being up the front sharing.
What was interesting was that my thoughts of not wanting too, lead me and gave me an invitation to do the very thing I was discussing with the Lord about not having to do.
Yes the Lord definitely had the last laugh on this one. I asked the pastor if we could go back into worship while I went back to the Lord about what to bring to continue this pastors message, honour him and to provide a CHALLENGE, MISSION and COMISSION for the church. What I call a takeaway. The Lord led me to the following verses from His message Luke 22:39-43, let’s go there now.
Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives (NIV)
Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him.
On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed,
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him.”
In the first verse we see Jesus telling His disciples to pray and guard themselves from temptation. This was the message this incredible Man of God was sharing it has a lot of Merit and is part of the teaching that Jesus used in the model prayer while teaching His disciples on how to pray. Have a read and remember Luke 11:2-4.
In the next verse it says Jesus took a few steps and got on His knee s and prayed. The Lord was saying to me to teach on the Importance of and how to build a culture of prayer.
He was saying the First step in doing this is always the same in any family, church, ministry or market place is: To pray in the open, where people are watching. That does not mean stop personal time in prayer in your quiet place, but now add to your prayer time praying in public places and spaces.
This could be in your living room at home, in the seminary at church, or the board room at work. What Jesus was doing was demonstrating what He had asked the disciples to do. He was being a DOER OF THE WORD.
1: If we want to build a culture of prayer we cannot just ask people, family or staff to do it WE need to lead by example and ourselves do it in the open, this may even mean allowing others to not only see but also to become a part of it.
The next thing JESUS DID WAS PRAY “Father take this cup from me”
2: Our prayers in open places need to be from a place of vulnerability and transparency, we need to BE REAL!
Jesus was praying and crying out for the Father to remove this burden from Him.
But the next thing Jesus did was to change His prayer to FOCUS ON THE FATHER’S AGENDA, and to ask for strength.
Now if Jesus can pray prayers like this why can’t we? Is it because it reveals our weaknesses? Hmm food for thought.
3: Our prayers in the open places need to be focused and open to what The Father is wanting, not what we want.
Remember the scripture says our weakness are our strength. For when we admit that we cannot, it allows God to step in and do a miracle. He gets the glory He deserves.
4 Like Jesus did, Allow your weaknesses for what you cannot do to become part of your prayers in the open places.
For you will notice in the very next verse a miracle happened, an angel turned up to give Him what was needed for the journey ahead.
5: If we pray from a place of weakness, transparency and vulnerability in the open place those around will hear the cry, and also see the answer to prayer. THEY WILL SEE THE MIRACLE.
But most importantly
6: The Father will get the Glory.
So let’s recap the SIX points the Lord has revelated on How to Build a Culture of Prayer
1. Pray in the OPEN PLACE
2. When we pray in the open place BE VULNERABLE & TRANSPARENT
3. Allow your prayer to FOCUS ON HIS WILL & WAY.
4. Share your WEAKNESS
5. Allow the people to SEE THE ANSWER TO PRAYER.
6. That the Lord may be GLORIFIED THROUGH WHAT IS REVEALED. He is good.
So here is your challenge.
• Today start developing and Building a Culture of Prayer at home, church, work or in the market place.
• Simply ask God the questions of what it looks like for you, and then do it.
• Let us know how it goes, what you discover and what it looks like for you.
Father thank You for revealing these steps for How to Build a Culture that will allow You to influence, equip and restore relationships with all Your children. Father help us to persevere in this conquest and to establish a Culture of Prayer. In Jesus name. AMEN
Craig and Winnie Patten
Itinerate Pastors/Apostolic Leaders
Encounter Ministries
