Apostles & Church Planters Should Pray More
N.T. Wright makes the point that all God’s people are called to pray but apostolic leaders more so than the rest. He derives this from the passage in Acts where Peter, James, John, etc., appointed new leaders so that they, the apostles, could devote themselves to prayer and the teaching of God’s word.
This makes perfect sense. It’s an almost glaringly obvious assumption, like connecting two dots when they are the only ones on the page, they are gigantic, and they and are framed by flashing neon arrows. Blink, blink, blink: Apostles devote themselves to prayer -> That means prayer is a huge priority.
These days, church planters are often described in apostolic terms, as the dudes who will start new movements of people toward Jesus by preaching (and praying) in regions where the gospel previously made as much sense as a Burger King breakfast commercial.
This is sort of disquieting for a guy whose best prayer often seems to be, “GOD HELP US!”
Nevertheless, I am trying to work prayer into my life more, similar to the way you work chalk into your palms to get a better grip on your climbing surface, or spray Stickum Grip Spray on your hands so that you can throw down a really sick dunk. Prayer has a great deal to do with our ability to navigate reality accurately and find traction–conversing with God has this calming, gracious, strengthening effect.
Not to mention that, should he want to, God can answer our petitions with dramatic and immediate results, such as when he allowed KU to win the national championship.
So when I hit a patch of silence, I let it be for awhile and pray, rather than immediately blasting Shai Linne or Josh Ritter. Lindsay and I are taking a running start at praying together every night, and while we don’t have an unbroken record by any means, praying together has been immediately healthy and good. I also think it increases the likelihood that we’ll make out.
Ultimately, I’m trying to become a man who is open and sensitive to God’s spirit, aware of what’s going on in my heart–as opposed to an ignorant and cocky dude. For anyone called to plant a church, this seems like a biblical mandate.
May 10th, 2008 at 9:38 pm
“the likelihood that we’ll make out” LOL! Hmm maybe incentive to get my hubby to pray…..
Sometimes I think we are afraid of the silence. Not to mention what God might ask of us if we stop & listen. I’m glad I’ve stopped & listened.
May 11th, 2008 at 12:15 am
Aye…prayer is paramount for spiritual life. It is the only way we allow Christ in to take the reins.
A man of prayer once said, “Truly, when you pray you put not God but your own spiritual life to the test.”
Everything eternally worthy (and then some) I’ve ever discovered came from either people praying for me (thanks, grandpa!) or through me praying over it. God loves to talk if we’ll listen.
Cheers,
Ben
May 11th, 2008 at 12:26 am
Oh, I strongly encourage reading “The Kneeling Christian.” A work on prayer than doesn’t read like a mechanic’s manual, but as a lover who pleads for honest affection.
Praying scripture works wonders as well–might want to include Solomon’s Song in the mix.
May 12th, 2008 at 7:58 am
Like a dagger to the heart! A very much needed slap in the face. Jessica and I as well are trying to beef up our prayer chops. It’s an absolute necessity!
Thanks
May 13th, 2008 at 11:26 am
enjoyed this post