Prayer is not just another ministry

By Jonathan Graf

A few years ago I spoke at a prayer conference at a Baptist church in metro Atlanta. The Friday night/Saturday event was poorly attended (80 people) for such a large church (6,000 members).

The prayer leader apologized for the small turnout, but revealed that one of the problems was that most events at this church were not announced from the platform. She went on to say that so many ministries have events each month that a rule had been made: none could have “platform time.” To be fair, any ministry leader could advertise in the bulletin or newsletter or put up posters but could never promote during a service.

Many churches have similar rules. Unfortunately, most of these churches relegate prayer to “just another ministry” status. That’s a problem.

If I read the Book of Acts correctly, prayer was not just another activity. At the start of the Early Church in the upper room, prayer held a significant place. In fact, it was one of only four things the apostles did along with teaching, fellowship and breaking of bread (Acts 2:42). When the apostles became overwhelmed with all the work in the church, they pulled back their ministry to concentrate on two things: prayer and ministry of the Word (6:3–4).

The Early Church was absolutely on fire with Kingdom passion and was always engaged in God’s work. Time and time again when the believers prayed, the Holy Spirit’s filling, enablement and agenda came (Acts 4:23–31, 10–11:18, 13:1–3).

In most of today’s churches, prayer needs to be elevated again to the status it enjoyed in the Early Church. Instead of being just another activity, prayer takes ministry and invites the Holy Spirit to infuse it with His power. Prayer takes activity and makes it Spirit-led and Spirit-empowered!

We need to stop worrying about what the leaders of other ministries—drama, small groups, children’s, youth, men’s, women’s, even missions—will think if we push prayer more than their activities are promoted. Prayer is not on the same level. What’s more, prayer makes every one of those ministries more powerful and effective.

Do you want to see the activity and power of the Holy Spirit heightened in your church? Then fight for prayer’s Early Church status. Do you want to see the status-quo wall in your church topple? Then fight for prayer’s Early Church status. Do you want to see God’s Kingdom expand through your church—not in little spurts and advances, but in daily ground-taking? Then fight for prayer’s Early Church status. Do you want to see your fellow congregants so hungry for God that their desperation is palpable? Then fight for prayer’s Early Church status.

Prayer is always at the center of revival. When this “ministry” returns to its Early Church status, the Kingdom-expanding, life-transforming, miracle-working power of God becomes the norm.

Jonathan Graf is the president of Church Prayer Leaders Network. He is available for speaking ministry. His "Learning to Pray with Faith and Purpose" seminars are popular with churches. Contact him at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .