The Shepherd's Desk
A New Day Is Dawning. Prayer Will Pave The Way.
Jan. 1st, 2020
We have been discussing prayer in a very dynamic way in our leading up to 2020, as we are focusing on the vision for the future of the church, and our personal lives. Here are some thoughts I shared with the Shepherd Neighborhood Leaders in our vision meeting the other day. For I am challenging us all to go to the next level in our ministry and spiritual life. That being the case, focusing on an apostolic prayer style in our ministry is of the utmost importance. I am not saying it is not prevalent, but is it consistent and is it allowed to flourish in our midst?
Here are those keys I mentioned concerning apostolic prayer in the church.
Apostolic Praying
I have spent many years as a member of traditional churches and, more recently, many years as a member of new apostolic churches. Because of this, it is fairly easy for me to highlight the differences between the two. Here are some of these differences:
• In traditional churches prayer is incidental, while in apostolic churches it is central. Some apostolic churches have taken prayer so seriously that they added a pastor of prayer to the church staff.
• In traditional churches prayer is routine, while in apostolic churches it is spontaneous. True, there are times in virtually all church services when prayer is routinely expected, but in apostolic churches we also hear, “Let’s stop and pray” followed by unprogrammed prayer action much more frequently than in traditional churches.
• In traditional churches prayer is occasional, while in apostolic churches it is frequent. For example, during worship in apostolic churches, the worship leader will typically lead the congregation in prayer several times in one service.
• In traditional churches prayer is passive, while in apostolic churches it is aggressive. Answers to prayer are not surprises; they are expected.
• In traditional churches prayer is quiet, while in apostolic churches it is loud. During prayer in apostolic churches there is more vocal audience participation and the noise level is notable. At times, the entire congregation will engage in “concert prayer,” in which everyone prays out loud simultaneously.
• In traditional churches prayer is reverent, while in apostolic churches it is expressive. People pray with their eyes open at times, they kneel, they fall on the floor, they lift their arms up and down, and they walk around. At times, they will actually lift their voices in a communal “victory shout” with everyone screaming at the top of their lungs and clapping their hands, accompanied by a loud drum and cymbal roll.
• In traditional churches prayer is cerebral, while in apostolic churches it is emotional. There is much more passion in apostolic praying. Some apostolic churches keep boxes of tissue under the seats because, more often than not, certain people will start weeping during prayer. After a prayer time, many release their emotions by applauding or even shouting.
( From C. Peter Wagner's Book , " 7 Power Principles I Learned After Seminary" )
Pastor's Note: I want to clarify that I believe there is a strong place for cerebral or silent prayer. It's necessary in our daily life, and in our spiritual balance and perspective. For there have been many times I have quieted down a service in corporate prayer by the leading of His Holy Spirit. Recognising, the Lord's change of pace if you will in a gathering with God's people. In any case, don't fall into a rut or a comfort zone in your private or corporate prayer life. Be alert and attentive to the presence of God and the Lord's direction in your prayer life.
Jan. 1st, 2020
We have been discussing prayer in a very dynamic way in our leading up to 2020, as we are focusing on the vision for the future of the church, and our personal lives. Here are some thoughts I shared with the Shepherd Neighborhood Leaders in our vision meeting the other day. For I am challenging us all to go to the next level in our ministry and spiritual life. That being the case, focusing on an apostolic prayer style in our ministry is of the utmost importance. I am not saying it is not prevalent, but is it consistent and is it allowed to flourish in our midst?
Here are those keys I mentioned concerning apostolic prayer in the church.
Apostolic Praying
I have spent many years as a member of traditional churches and, more recently, many years as a member of new apostolic churches. Because of this, it is fairly easy for me to highlight the differences between the two. Here are some of these differences:
• In traditional churches prayer is incidental, while in apostolic churches it is central. Some apostolic churches have taken prayer so seriously that they added a pastor of prayer to the church staff.
• In traditional churches prayer is routine, while in apostolic churches it is spontaneous. True, there are times in virtually all church services when prayer is routinely expected, but in apostolic churches we also hear, “Let’s stop and pray” followed by unprogrammed prayer action much more frequently than in traditional churches.
• In traditional churches prayer is occasional, while in apostolic churches it is frequent. For example, during worship in apostolic churches, the worship leader will typically lead the congregation in prayer several times in one service.
• In traditional churches prayer is passive, while in apostolic churches it is aggressive. Answers to prayer are not surprises; they are expected.
• In traditional churches prayer is quiet, while in apostolic churches it is loud. During prayer in apostolic churches there is more vocal audience participation and the noise level is notable. At times, the entire congregation will engage in “concert prayer,” in which everyone prays out loud simultaneously.
• In traditional churches prayer is reverent, while in apostolic churches it is expressive. People pray with their eyes open at times, they kneel, they fall on the floor, they lift their arms up and down, and they walk around. At times, they will actually lift their voices in a communal “victory shout” with everyone screaming at the top of their lungs and clapping their hands, accompanied by a loud drum and cymbal roll.
• In traditional churches prayer is cerebral, while in apostolic churches it is emotional. There is much more passion in apostolic praying. Some apostolic churches keep boxes of tissue under the seats because, more often than not, certain people will start weeping during prayer. After a prayer time, many release their emotions by applauding or even shouting.
( From C. Peter Wagner's Book , " 7 Power Principles I Learned After Seminary" )
Pastor's Note: I want to clarify that I believe there is a strong place for cerebral or silent prayer. It's necessary in our daily life, and in our spiritual balance and perspective. For there have been many times I have quieted down a service in corporate prayer by the leading of His Holy Spirit. Recognising, the Lord's change of pace if you will in a gathering with God's people. In any case, don't fall into a rut or a comfort zone in your private or corporate prayer life. Be alert and attentive to the presence of God and the Lord's direction in your prayer life.
