A Dynamic 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

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.

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 Children, 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 www.prayershop.org.

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