Becoming a Comeback Church: Factor Three
Factor 3: Strategic Prayer Efforts
The Holy Spirit’s presence and power is released through intentional prayer. The book of Acts provides several examples of early believers coming together to pray for boldness. Thom Rainer explains, “Prayer is the power behind the principles. There simply is no more important principle in church growth than prayer. The prayers of the early church unleashed the power of God to add thousands to the church. It happened then. It is happening in some churches today. And it can happen in your church.”
After praying, those early believers were empowered by the Spirit, and people believed in the resurrected Jesus. The same pattern can be followed today. Praying for boldness and for a movement of God’s Spirit within the community and in the lives of those who are not believers is part of an effective outreach strategy. Comeback leaders pray strategically and fervently for themselves, their church families and their communities.
According to Roger Lipe, a pastor in Woodlawn, Illinois, the Word of God and renewed prayers were keys to their church’s renewal. The church gave new emphasis to prayer during the Wednesday evening services. Lipe read Scriptures dealing with prayer and led the church family to focus on praying for the needs of the church. This church was $109,000 in debt in July 2001, but was completely debt-free by November 2002. Giving continues to increase, and the once-dead church is alive and ministering effectively to the community around them. Comeback churches across the country reported an increase in evangelistic zeal in response to their strategic prayers for their communities. Many emphasized the importance of weekly prayer meetings and a deeper passion for the local community. (by Ed Stetzer)