Set the Sail (Preparing for a Move of God) Sample

Prayer: Our Greatest Weapon

I wonder if you were to stop and reflect, what would you say is the most effective way to build the kingdom of God? What is the 'silver bullet' that will see more people saved, more disciples matured, more churches planted, and more cities transformed by the good news of Jesus?

Every year hundreds of millions of dollars are spent and countless thousands of hours are devoted to seeking to grow the kingdom of God — often in good and godly ways. New buildings are built, pastors and boards devise strategies and plans for effective discipleship and mission, and countless saints give their time, talent and treasures for the sake of the Gospel... And much fruit is borne through all of these efforts!

And yet the Bible seems to point to the profound reality that the greatest and most effective means of building the kingdom of God in our day, as in every day, is prayer.

When Jesus surveyed the needs of his day, and the bountiful ways in which he and his disciples needed to see the kingdom of heaven come on earth, he declared: “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into the harvest field.” (Matthew 9:37-38)

What does Jesus encourage his disciples to do in response to the great need that they see? To come before God in prayer.

If we want to see God move in our age, then our greatest need is not more resources or better strategies for reaching the lost — it’s that we would get on our knees and petition God to do what only He can do. Does your life, and how you spend your time, reflect the reality that prayer is the most effective way you can participate in building the kingdom of God?

It’s time to become a church who prays like our only hope is God. It’s time to be a people with such great faith that we believe God will respond to our cries. It’s time to stop placing our trust in what we can orchestrate in our own strength and bring ourselves wholeheartedly before the God who can do all things. It’s time to set the sail and be people of prayer.