TEACH US TO PRAY

TEACH US TO PRAY
So many people see pray as a time only to present our needs before God. Their mindset is how they tell God all about their trials and boom, God sorts them out. Yes, God is in the business of meeting our heart’s desires, but prayer is much more than request and response affair.

The disciple of Jesus Christ in Luke 11:1 said to Him to teach them to pray.
“And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”

They must have noticed that the prayer pattern of the Master was quite different from the norm.
2, "And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. 3, Give us day by day our daily bread. 4, And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil."

Firstly, we must see God as our Father, and address Him as such; not like a slave and Master relationship.
Luke 11:13, “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?”

Secondly, we must go to Him with gratitude and present Him with heartfelt worship. “…hallowed be thy name.”

Thirdly, though the Bible says; “ the desire of the righteous shall be granted, it wise to ask for His will alone be established in our lives.

Now, looking into this pattern, it is obvious that the request for our needs does not come in the first three points in prayers. Before we even ask, He (God) already knows.

In prayers, God desires fellowship and a time of intimacy with us His children. It is a major line of communication between we and God.

CHURCH GROWTH STRATEGIES

The Church of Christ is a living entity with the fact that, the church isn’t the building housing the people, but Church is the people meeting in a building. One of the characteristics of a living thing is the ability to grow and develop.

The church is the body of Christ, which has the capacity to grow because it’s a living entity. Christ is the head and we are the body. The body cannot grow without a head. The church simply means, the called out, which in Greek is ecclesia.

Now, why should the church grow? In Genesis after God made man, He blessed them and said; “ be fruitful, multiply and replenish the earth…” everything God does has a blessing for expansion. Jesus said to his disciples in Mathew 28:19, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:”
That scripture is a proof of the need for the Church to expand locally and globally.
What are the most effective strategies to reach the nations for Christ and grow the local assembly even by the teachings of Jesus Christ?

The Holy Spirit :
Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He instructed His disciples to tarry in Jerusalem for the most important moments of the Church. It was a strategic moment that would release them into spiritual success and growth for the body of Christ.

Luke 24:48,"And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high."
The above scripture speaks of the Holy Spirit, which in Acts 2, the Lord sent to them. The Holy Spirit is the essence of the Church and the help of the Church of Christ.
After the coming of the Holy Spirit, the timid Church became a vibrant one. They spoke the gospel of Christ without fear and mighty miracles were wrought in the presence of the people.

Teaching The Word:
Mark 16:15, “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”
One very undeniable way to make disciples is in the teaching of the Word of Christ. The Word of God is a power carrier. Many have been convicted and converted by the word of God. A good teaching congregation will likely retain her membership than any other. The Word of God illuminates darkness and brings freedom to her hearers.
John 8:32, “32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Love Expressed:
The Church is an institution of love. It born out of love and will continue to grow through love. The early Church after Pentecost displayed a great degree of love amongst themselves. Everyone desires to be loved, even the unloving wants to be loved. Love is the strongest tool to win the heart of people.
Acts 4:32, “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.”

Be Creative:
The Church is not outside of its society, but should not also be influenced by it. The Church must find the modern and creative way to reach out to the people. It must create good standards void of compromise (godly standards). The Church must creatively engage the youths and make them welcomed without breaking spiritual rules.
1Tim. 4:14, “Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you.”
Young people should be encouraged to use their gifts for the service of the kingdom of God.

Discipleship:
Disciples are disciplined followers of what they believe. A local assembly must do a lot to raise disciples; men and women who are sold out to the vision. Note the word; DISCIPLINED. A disciple is more than a member, he is a leader in his own right. A Church that raises disciples will not lack in growth. Jesus said, “ …make disciple of all nations…”

Prayer:
A non praying Church is like a car without gasoline. Prayer is the energy that provides movement or growth in the Church. Create a vibrant intercessory unit in the Church and encourage them.
James 5:16, “ The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].AMP

Dynamic Worship:
Intense worship session during Church meetings brings down the presence of God, which in turn releases the Power of God upon the life of the people. The Bible says; “…God inhabit the praise of His saints.”
With the above strategies, I am confident that your assembly is ready for new dimension in Church growth. These aren’t the only strategies, but I shall give us more in my subsequent articles. God bless you!