This past summer, at our Florida Georgia District convention, we passed a few “resolutions”. Those are basically things that we agree to do together as this grouping of churches from the mountains of Georgia all the way down to the beaches of the Bahamas.
One of those resolutions impacts our local church. It is a challenge to our congregation “daily to pray for at least three unchurched or unconnected people they know personally, while intentionally seeking opportunities to make disciples by establishing relationships and speaking of Jesus with friends and neighbors.” If you don’t like that, you can blame myself and Andrew Cheyne – you sent us as voting delegates and I’m pretty sure we both voted “yes” for this one.
As a church, we are free (and responsible) to work out ways in which we can encourage you to do this. One of those things is going to be trying out a new prayer on Sunday mornings. I feel like our prayers together as a community on Sunday are powerful. We started praying that God would raise up pastors, church workers, and lay leaders from our congregation (thank you for the idea, Henry!) and we ended up sending three guys to seminary. Could it be coincidence? Sure. But could it also be a hearing God? I think so.
So starting September 21, we’re going to feature a prayer that has a time of silence built into it so that you can pray the names of 3 people that you know who are disconnected from Church and/or from God. We don’t want you to be caught without some names on that Sunday, so we’re letting you know early.
Who could you pray for? Think about your neighborhood. Who might be living in the apartment next to you or on the same cul de sac? Think about your classes and the people you study with. Think about the people that have come to worship with us, but that you haven’t seen in a while. All of those are people that you can be in prayer for.
Also, it would probably be better to pray for the same three people every week. I get it, you know a lot of people who are unchurched and disconnected from God. You could probably pray for a different three people every week. However, the goal here is to be able to “intentionally seek opportunities to make disciples”. This isn’t just about a “hail Mary pass” up to God, but His Kingdom coming here on earth – and that usually happens better with intentionality and routine.
There is so much amazing stuff that happens when we pray. I think one of the most amazing of those is that God chooses often to mobilize the Body of Christ, the Church, to bring about the answers to prayers. When we pray, God works through His Spirit to lead His Church to do His work. I can imagine the organization and capacity that God can bring to bear in the life of someone we pray for.
So think about your three people, start praying today, and we’ll pray together starting on the 21st.