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Exodus
32:11, 2Chro
32:20,Psalm
73:28, Eph 3:14
Prayer
by many is seen in diverse ways, it has gotten to an advance stage at which the
Holy Spirit has taught many men of faith how to diversify its mode, ways and
methods. According to Easton, defines prayer as “converse with God; the
intercourse of the soul with God, not in contemplation or meditation, but in
direct address to him. Prayer may be oral or mental. James Duncan, preaching with great unction and power, was asked
what the secret of such powerful preaching was. “The secret,” he said, was “thirteen hours of
consecutive prayer.”
Prayer
Networking is the agreement between brethren to be on their knees at a given
time in prayer, it could be continuous sequence or independent format, with the
unified prayer targets.
Networking is the agreement between brethren to be on their knees at a given
time in prayer, it could be continuous sequence or independent format, with the
unified prayer targets.
It
is commonly adopted by prayer partners who time and distance is a challenge. In
other words it can be referred to as Persistent Prayer Partnership.
is commonly adopted by prayer partners who time and distance is a challenge. In
other words it can be referred to as Persistent Prayer Partnership.
Prayer
Networking
Networking
From church to church, prayer has been proved
to be a means of church development, re-awakening and resuscitation. The prayer
networking system is designed to make every member of any given church
committed and takes part in the prayer wave in the church.
to be a means of church development, re-awakening and resuscitation. The prayer
networking system is designed to make every member of any given church
committed and takes part in the prayer wave in the church.
The Need for
Prayer Networking
Prayer Networking
1. To
foster the unity of the brethren.
foster the unity of the brethren.
2. To
get every member of the congregation involved in the prayer system of the
church.
get every member of the congregation involved in the prayer system of the
church.
3. To
mould the prayer life of the congregation after the order of effective prayer
system of Christ.
mould the prayer life of the congregation after the order of effective prayer
system of Christ.
4. To
build a more warfare conscious church.
build a more warfare conscious church.
5. To
raise supporting hand for the General Overseer in the battle of life and
ministry.
raise supporting hand for the General Overseer in the battle of life and
ministry.
6. To
serve as a watch man over the watchman (General Overseer). That is, raising
intercessors for the man of God.
serve as a watch man over the watchman (General Overseer). That is, raising
intercessors for the man of God.
7. To
build a fire-brand army for the Lord, whom the Lord can entrust the life of
others to.
build a fire-brand army for the Lord, whom the Lord can entrust the life of
others to.
8. To
help raise men for the ministry of intercessory, as some of the congregation
might be called into such ministry.
help raise men for the ministry of intercessory, as some of the congregation
might be called into such ministry.
9. To
aid the hand of God in operation in His dealing with the church.
aid the hand of God in operation in His dealing with the church.
10. To
build a more spiritually minded church than a carnal minded church.
build a more spiritually minded church than a carnal minded church.
Areas to cover
in Prayer Networking
in Prayer Networking
a.
The Church: vision, plans,
challenges, growth, the manifestation of God’s power, services, e.t.c
The Church: vision, plans,
challenges, growth, the manifestation of God’s power, services, e.t.c
b.
The Church Leadership: The
General Overseer and his/her family, boars of trustee, elders,e.t.c
The Church Leadership: The
General Overseer and his/her family, boars of trustee, elders,e.t.c
c.
The Congregation: The various families,
career, youth, marriages, pregnant women, e.t.c
The Congregation: The various families,
career, youth, marriages, pregnant women, e.t.c
d.
The Community: The society, state
and the nation at large, co-ministries and churches, e.t.c.
The Community: The society, state
and the nation at large, co-ministries and churches, e.t.c.
Prayer
Networking Grouping
Networking Grouping
The
operation of prayer networking in smaller churches with less than 50 adult
memberships seems easier compared to church with large numbers. Therefore
church grouping for prayer networking might be different. It is imperative to
note that the aim of grouping is to create an effective way of enforcing and
maximizing the opportunity the exercise presents.
operation of prayer networking in smaller churches with less than 50 adult
memberships seems easier compared to church with large numbers. Therefore
church grouping for prayer networking might be different. It is imperative to
note that the aim of grouping is to create an effective way of enforcing and
maximizing the opportunity the exercise presents.
In view of this, it is important to remember that
the congregation will naturally will not want to invest their time in things
that they won’t benefit from therefore they must be made to understand that
when they are asked to pray for the church, they are actually praying for
themselves, as they are the church of God. Prayer networking can take diverse
shapes and methods which include:
the congregation will naturally will not want to invest their time in things
that they won’t benefit from therefore they must be made to understand that
when they are asked to pray for the church, they are actually praying for
themselves, as they are the church of God. Prayer networking can take diverse
shapes and methods which include:
1.
Random
Selection Grouping: the grouping of the members
into certain groups. It is typically based on the church data of registered
members. Members are selected randomly and grouped.
Random
Selection Grouping: the grouping of the members
into certain groups. It is typically based on the church data of registered
members. Members are selected randomly and grouped.
2.
Family
Grouping: The grouping is done on family basis
to engage in fasting and prayer on the given prayer points.
Family
Grouping: The grouping is done on family basis
to engage in fasting and prayer on the given prayer points.
3.
Individual
Grouping: This has to do with individuals being
assigned to specific days of the week to fast and pray for the church and
congregation.
Individual
Grouping: This has to do with individuals being
assigned to specific days of the week to fast and pray for the church and
congregation.
4.
Unit
Grouping: The units/departments of the church
which could be saddle with the responsibility of standing in the gap for the
church at any given time. For instant:
Unit
Grouping: The units/departments of the church
which could be saddle with the responsibility of standing in the gap for the
church at any given time. For instant:
5.
House
Fellowship Grouping: the congregation can also be
grouped based on house fellowship units and is monitored by the house
fellowship leaders who ensures that the bulletin is followed strictly and
orderly.
House
Fellowship Grouping: the congregation can also be
grouped based on house fellowship units and is monitored by the house
fellowship leaders who ensures that the bulletin is followed strictly and
orderly.
6.
Branches
Grouping: this is applicable to churches with
more than one branch. With the parish or location pastor saddled with the
responsibility of coordinating his members to observe it.
Branches
Grouping: this is applicable to churches with
more than one branch. With the parish or location pastor saddled with the
responsibility of coordinating his members to observe it.
The Effect of
Intense Prayer System on the Church:
Intense Prayer System on the Church:
1.
The church becomes a problem
solving church.
The church becomes a problem
solving church.
2.
Dynamic growth is experienced in
the church.
Dynamic growth is experienced in
the church.
3.
There is an atmosphere of grace visible
on the church.
There is an atmosphere of grace visible
on the church.
4.
More armor bearer and
intercessors will be raised for the church.
More armor bearer and
intercessors will be raised for the church.
5.
Answered prayers due to the
consistency and persistency of prayers.
Answered prayers due to the
consistency and persistency of prayers.
6.
Freedom form sin.
Freedom form sin.
7.
Increased use of spiritual gift
and intercession by the use of faith.
Increased use of spiritual gift
and intercession by the use of faith.
8.
Openness to the ministry of the
Holy Spirit.
Openness to the ministry of the
Holy Spirit.
9.
It helps to spread the love of
God in the heart of the members.
It helps to spread the love of
God in the heart of the members.
10.
Discipleship mentoring and
training.
Discipleship mentoring and
training.
Tools for effective
Prayer Networking
Prayer Networking
For
the full implementation of the prayer networking to produce adequate result
certain parameters needs to be in place:
the full implementation of the prayer networking to produce adequate result
certain parameters needs to be in place:
1.
Teaching
Packages: The church must tune their teachings
towards the benefits of the prayer networking. They must be taught on the
benefit of the prayer system thus motivating them to be committed to the
system.
Teaching
Packages: The church must tune their teachings
towards the benefits of the prayer networking. They must be taught on the
benefit of the prayer system thus motivating them to be committed to the
system.
2.
Prayer
Bulletin or Newsletter: A prayer bulletin, guide or
newsletter should be introduces. This will help to unify the prayer system. The
prayer bulletin can comprise a word of encouragement or a short message and
then the list of prayers to pray.
Prayer
Bulletin or Newsletter: A prayer bulletin, guide or
newsletter should be introduces. This will help to unify the prayer system. The
prayer bulletin can comprise a word of encouragement or a short message and
then the list of prayers to pray.
3.
Monitoring:
For effectiveness and efficiency certain leaders or cell leaders can be saddle
with this responsibility. It is imperative to note that if it is not properly
monitored to some degree; it might not fully serve its purpose.
Monitoring:
For effectiveness and efficiency certain leaders or cell leaders can be saddle
with this responsibility. It is imperative to note that if it is not properly
monitored to some degree; it might not fully serve its purpose.
4.
Structured
Messages/Sermons: the messages delivered from the
pulpit must be well structured to prepare and put the mind of the congregation
in the right perspective for a rejuvenated praying system in the church. The
pulpit itself must exhibit the prayer fire.
Structured
Messages/Sermons: the messages delivered from the
pulpit must be well structured to prepare and put the mind of the congregation
in the right perspective for a rejuvenated praying system in the church. The
pulpit itself must exhibit the prayer fire.
5.
Church
Prayer Room: it is crucial for the church/ministry
to create a room within the church premises specially dedicated alone for
prayers. This is a room where members can concentrate heavily for prayers. It
should be a place dedicated for prayers alone 24/7.
Church
Prayer Room: it is crucial for the church/ministry
to create a room within the church premises specially dedicated alone for
prayers. This is a room where members can concentrate heavily for prayers. It
should be a place dedicated for prayers alone 24/7.
6.
Spiritual
Week of Emphasis: it is the dedication of certain
week of the month for intensive focus on Prayer Programme, which will focus
squarely on the prayer and fasting for all members of the church.
Spiritual
Week of Emphasis: it is the dedication of certain
week of the month for intensive focus on Prayer Programme, which will focus
squarely on the prayer and fasting for all members of the church.
Pattern of Execution
The
process of execution can involve the following:
process of execution can involve the following:
a. Group meeting:
where members of each group agree on a time to meet at any agreed location
preferably at the church to raise their voice unto the Lord.
where members of each group agree on a time to meet at any agreed location
preferably at the church to raise their voice unto the Lord.
b. Fasting Patterns:
This is where members of the congregation grouped agree on a day to all fast
and pray for the church and does not necessary require them meeting physically.
This is where members of the congregation grouped agree on a day to all fast
and pray for the church and does not necessary require them meeting physically.
c. Vigil Pattern:
This is where members are grouped into days/week vigil program where members
agree to wake up at night at home to pray for certain time.
This is where members are grouped into days/week vigil program where members
agree to wake up at night at home to pray for certain time.
The 3-Cord Implementation
This
method is classified into 3 fold stages namely: The Core Centre, The Cell
Centre & The Crowd Centre.
method is classified into 3 fold stages namely: The Core Centre, The Cell
Centre & The Crowd Centre.
1.
The
Core Centre: The fire and flames of prayer in the
church must first be seen in the heart and life of her leadership. The core is
an aspect of the implementation that comprises of those who stands as the core
aspect of the church (her leaders). This might comprise of the G.O’s wife, associate
pastors and their wives, members of the board of trustee (if available). They’ll
serve as armor bearer for the General Overseer.
The
Core Centre: The fire and flames of prayer in the
church must first be seen in the heart and life of her leadership. The core is
an aspect of the implementation that comprises of those who stands as the core
aspect of the church (her leaders). This might comprise of the G.O’s wife, associate
pastors and their wives, members of the board of trustee (if available). They’ll
serve as armor bearer for the General Overseer.
2.
The
Cell Centre: This inculcates the cell unit into the
prayer system. Each unit can be divided into days of the week. The cell leader
might be first to be introduced before the entire unit and arms of the ministry
is involved or carried along. At this level each worker is involved in the
prayer networking system. In this manner revival in the church is inevitable.
They will also be groomed and built for the service committed into their hands.
The
Cell Centre: This inculcates the cell unit into the
prayer system. Each unit can be divided into days of the week. The cell leader
might be first to be introduced before the entire unit and arms of the ministry
is involved or carried along. At this level each worker is involved in the
prayer networking system. In this manner revival in the church is inevitable.
They will also be groomed and built for the service committed into their hands.
3.
The
Crowd Centre: with the above two stages in place, it
thus makes it easy to grow to the entire congregation as they will have
influence the congregation. It is the involvement of the entire congregation in
the prayer network. It can be grouped based on family level or individual level.
The
Crowd Centre: with the above two stages in place, it
thus makes it easy to grow to the entire congregation as they will have
influence the congregation. It is the involvement of the entire congregation in
the prayer network. It can be grouped based on family level or individual level.
Hindrances/Pitfalls
to avoid in Prayer Networking
to avoid in Prayer Networking
1.
Hindrances
to Prayer:
Hindrances
to Prayer:
·
Sin in the heart
Sin in the heart
·
Ignorance of the mind
Ignorance of the mind
·
Physical weakness/sickness
Physical weakness/sickness
·
Satanic depression
Satanic depression
·
Preoccupied by daily living and
denying prayer any chance in our daily time table
Preoccupied by daily living and
denying prayer any chance in our daily time table
2.
Hindrances
to Spiritual Connectivity:
Hindrances
to Spiritual Connectivity:
·
Disunity and disagreement among
brethren
Disunity and disagreement among
brethren
·
Church conflict and crises
Church conflict and crises
·
Carnality on some quarters of the
brethren which could involve secret sins.
Carnality on some quarters of the
brethren which could involve secret sins.
·
Doubt and discouragement among
brethren
Doubt and discouragement among
brethren
