Many Christians treat prayer like the spare tyre in their car.
It is there if we need it. It is important. We are glad we have it.
But most of the time it stays in the boot and gets ignored.
Only when things go badly wrong do we pull it out and use it.
Yet when we look at the life of Jesus, prayer was not His spare wheel. Prayer was the steering wheel.
Before major decisions, He prayed.
Before choosing the twelve disciples, He prayed.
Before miracles, He prayed.
Before the cross, He prayed.
Again and again, Jesus withdrew to lonely places to spend time with His Father.
Prayer was not an activity squeezed into the edges of life. Prayer was the foundation underneath everything else.
Prayer Changes Us
Many people think prayer is primarily about getting things from God.
Sometimes God certainly answers our requests.
Sometimes He changes our circumstances.
But often the first thing He changes is us.
Prayer aligns our hearts with God's heart.
Prayer reminds us who is really in control.
Prayer teaches us dependence.
Prayer softens our hearts and helps us hear His voice.
The goal of prayer is not simply getting God to do what we want.
The goal of prayer is learning to walk closely with Him.
Prayer Changes Things
The Bible is filled with ordinary people who prayed and saw God move.
Elijah prayed.
The early church prayed.
Paul prayed.
Jesus taught His followers to pray.
God works in response to prayer in ways we often do not fully understand.
James tells us:
"The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." (James 5:16)
Prayer is not our last resort.
Prayer is one of God's chosen ways of advancing His Kingdom.
Prayer and Multiplication
When we think about making disciples, planting churches, and seeing God's Kingdom grow, it is easy to focus on strategies, methods, and plans.
Those things can be helpful.
But movements of God are ultimately born in prayer.
Jesus told His disciples:
"Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." (Matthew 9:38)
The first instruction was not "Go find workers."
The first instruction was "Pray."
Prayer prepares the workers.
Prayer prepares the harvest.
Prayer prepares our own hearts.
Before every movement of God in history, somebody prayed.
Often many people prayed.
Long before the visible fruit appeared, hidden prayer was already at work.
A Simple Challenge
What would happen if every believer spent a few minutes each day praying for three things?
- That they would grow closer to God.
- That God would show them people who are spiritually open.
- That more workers would be raised up for the harvest.
Imagine hundreds.
Imagine thousands.
Imagine millions of believers praying that prayer every day.
God delights to answer prayers that align with His mission.
The Vision
Prayer is not simply preparation for the work.
Prayer is part of the work.
Every disciple can pray.
Every family can pray.
Every small group can pray.
Every church can pray.
And as God's people pray, He continues to draw people to Himself, raise up disciples, and expand His Kingdom.
The next great movement of God may already be beginning in a quiet room where one ordinary believer is simply talking with their Father.
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