The Ministry of Prayer
Given the current state of the church, we need the ministry of prayer more than ever. With mass closings of churches worldwide during the pandemic, and many churches today continuing to operate at a lesser capacity than before, the praying ministry of the church is vital. The ministry of prayer is the labor of striving in prayer on behalf of God’s agenda and God’s people.
There are people in the Bible that are specifically mentioned for their active ministry of prayer. Moses and Samuel are two people who had a prominent ministry of prayer. Moses in prayer convinced God not to destroy the people of Israel. Psalm 106:23 Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them. It was forty days of being before God. Deuteronomy 9:25 Thus I fell down before the LORD forty days and forty nights, as I fell down at the first; because the LORD had said he would destroy you.
Samuel was known for his intercession on behalf of the people. He prayed for the people when they sinned, and prayed for them in times of war. The people knew his life of prayer. (1 Samuel 7:5,8; 12:19).
So we see from the examples that the ministry of prayer is more than just praying before going to bed or after rising in the morning. The prayer ministry is fervently standing before God on behalf of His people and His agenda. We need the ministry of prayer now.
What Does It Involve?
Frequent Fastings and Prayer
Luke 2:37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
The ministry of prayer involves praying and fasting often for God’s kingdom agenda and for God’s people. Anna served God with fasting and prayers day and night. Moses fasted 40 days and Daniel 21 days (Daniel 9 - 10) in pursuit of God’s purpose for His people. Get into the ministry of prayer by intentionally taking out time to pray and fast regularly before God.
Primary Part of Church Ministry
Luke 19:46 Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.
Jesus declared that God’s house is a place of prayer. One of the primary features of the church should be prayer. The Jerusalem church was in prayer daily. Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. Corporate prayer should be an active part of church life.
Primary Part of Leading Ministries Acts 6:3
Primary Part of Prophetic Ministry Samuel, Moses, Daniel (Jeremiah 15:1)
Primary Part of Apostolic Ministry (Acts 6:3-4).
Primary Part of Pastoral Ministry
Joel 2:27
The ministry of prayer is a primary part of leading ministries. Ministerial leaders are called to pray. The first apostles gave themselves to prayer and the ministry of the word.. book
Involves Ministering to the Lord Acts 13:2,3
Ministering to the Lord is taking the time to worship and praise Him. It is magnifying God for who He is. Part of the ministry of prayer is to take extra time to worship and praise God.
Consistent Fiery Intercession
Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
It is a labor of intercession that others may stand in the perfect will of God. This is an on-going labor, an always labor. The ministry of prayer involves energetic, passionate prayer for others - a prayer of fervent heat.
Intercession for All Men
1 Timothy 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
The ministry of prayer is for God’s agenda to be fulfilled among God’s people. Therefore, it involves prayer for all since God desires all to be in His kingdom, and secondly, since the actions may affect the living conditions of Christians.
For What Purpose?
To Open Doors for the Gospel
“Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:” (Col 4:3, KJV)
Prayer must be made for the gospel to reach areas and individuals it has not yet reached. Furthermore, that God would open the doors of utterance to preachers, missionaries and workers to walk through doors that will lead to the salvation of many souls.
For Peaceful Living
I 1 Timothy 2:1 -2 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
For the peaceful living of Christians around the world, especially in this tyrannical time period, pray for the covering of God’s people amid persecution. Pray for governmental leaders to be touched by the hands of God, and for them to show favor to the church
To Raise Up Leaders Acts 13:1-4; Acts 14:32
The ministry of prayer is needed for God to raise up more pastors, prophets, teachers, and apostles in the kingdom.
To Activate Workers Acts 13:1-4
The prayers of the church bring about the choosing and separation of people towards the calling and work that God has given them to do.
For Understanding of the Times Daniel 9:1-3
For Understanding of Prophecies Daniel 9
Anna knew the newly born baby Jesus was the Christ because she was constantly in prayer. Daniel understood the prophecies of Jeremiah concerning the 70 years of captivity because he remained before the Lord in prayer. To understand God’s will in our time, and to discern the tactics of the devil today, we need to partake in the ministry of prayer.
For the Preservation of the Saints Joel 2:17
In the last days, deception and sinfulness would be so rampant that even the elect would be tempted. In prayer, we ask God to preserve the saints.
To Watch for the Saints
Ephesians 6:18-19 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 19And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
We ought to remain on watch for each other’s souls by praying one for another. Our watchfulness in prayer is for the fullness of God to manifest through all. The person in the ministry of prayer remains at the watchtower, at the guard station, to stand against any evil targeting God’s people.
For Healing
James 5:15-16 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. 16Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Energetic and passionate prayer in faith brings the healing virtue of God.
To Support the Ministry
Romans 15:30 Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;
Support your pastors, and support those who are doing the work of ministry. Your prayer is an act of support in their work. You are helping them to get their work done as you pray.
Expression of Gratitude/Love
2 Cor. 9:14 And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.
In the above verse, the church receiving the gift from the Corinthians prays for them in gratitude for their graciousness. When others plant into our lives, we ought to show gratitude by constantly praying for them.
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Those who engage in the ministry of prayer tend to experience frequent answers to prayer. Furthermore, they learn the secrets of God and receive revelatory knowledge of God’s work in this time. Daniel prayed for 21 days and God gave him revelations of things to come; Moses was on the mountain for forty days and received the ten commandments. Anna served God in prayer and fasting daily and knew by the Holy Spirit that the baby Jesus was the promised Messiah. When you engage in the ministry of prayer God will reveal His secrets to you, and you will experience mighty answers to prayers.
