Preparing for real revival – part two
A concert of prayer is a time for people to pray together corporately for revival. A leader reads a passage of scripture, suggests how to pray, then allows a few minutes for individuals and groups to pray together. The guidance of the leader enables the group to stay focused and alert for a longer period of time. Below is an example of how to lead, organize and pace a concert of prayer. If you keep it moving as suggested in the outline, this can be done in one hour. The Lord has used it to bring a fresh breeze to many churches. This is a step-by-step process a pastor can lead his church through. One of these days, maybe even in Missouri, some church will do this and a national revival would be started. Let’s pray to that end.
Note: Steps 1-23 were printed on page six in the Nov. 21 copy of The Pathway.
24. Read Acts 1:8 (NKJV) “8But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
25. Say, “Ask God to pour out His Spirit so that lives are changed in mighty ways – on broken families – on impure pastors – on self-centered church leaders – on defeated people struggling with sin habits – on the most profane rebels in our culture – so they might be witnesses!” (Allow 3-4 minutes for the groups to pray together.)
26. Say “Now you five split up, and everyone move into groups of two once again – this time with a different partner – to join with for our next prayer. You should be in groups of two.” (Allow a moment for people to move together into groups of two.)
27. Read Matthew 16:18 (NKJV) “18And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”
28. Say, “Jesus said when He is building His church – when He is in control and guiding His people – that no gates would be able to stand against the advance of the kingdom. Where are the gates standing in your life, in our church, in our community? Ask Jesus to so lead in your life and in our church that every barrier to His rule would come down.” (Allow 1-2 minutes for the pairs to pray together.)
29. Read Matthew 9:38 (NKJV) “38Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”
30. Say, “Pray that God will call thousands into ministry, missions and Christian service. Pray He would raise up a new Spirit-filled generation of pastors, church planters, soul winners, teachers and church workers.” (Allow 1-2 minutes for the pairs to pray together.)
31. Say, “Now you two split up, and find another prayer partner for our next prayer. You should still be in groups of two – just find a new partner.” (Allow a moment for people to find a new partner.)
32. Read 1 Peter 2:2 (NKJV) “2As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,”
33. Say, “Pray that the Holy Spirit will give God’s people a deep craving for His Word, so much that they will read it every day.” (Allow 1-2 minutes for the pairs to pray together.)
34. Read Psalms 90:17 (NKJV) “17And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us, And establish the work of our hands for us; yes, establish the work of our hands.”
35. Say, “In order to glorify God and attract the lost, pray that the beauty of God would rest on everyone gathered here and on His people everywhere as they serve Him.” (Allow 1-2 minutes for the pairs to pray together.)
36. Read 1 Corinthians 9:22 (NKJV) “22To the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.”
37. Say, “Pray for God to fill you with a passion to see people saved – a willingness to do whatever it takes. Pray that God will kill off all pride in our hearts.” (Allow 1-2 minutes for the pairs to pray together.)
38. Say, “Now everyone form groups of three for our next prayer. You should be in a group of three.” (Allow a moment for people to form groups of three.)
39. Read Acts 16:14 (NKJV) “14Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul.”
40. Say, “Take a moment and simply call out the name of any lost friends by their first name – as they come to mind – ask that God would open their hearts to understand and respond to the Gospel the very next time they hear it.” (Allow 2-3 minutes for the groups of three to pray together.)
41. Then say, “Pray for a mighty move of conviction and salvation on other people in your sphere of influence. The people who deliver your mail, grocery store clerks, bank tellers, hairdressers and barbers, teachers, bosses, co-workers, family members. Pray out loud for the ones God brings to mind.” (Allow 2-3 minutes for the groups of three to pray together.)
42. Read Matthew 21:13 (NKJV) “13And He said to them, “It is written, ‘my house shall be called a house of prayer, …’”
43. Say, “Now ask God that a spirit of prayer would spread like a wildfire across our land and world until every church becomes a house of prayer.” (Allow 2-3 minutes for the groups of three to pray together.)
44. As the leader, offer a final prayer to bring the prayer time to a close.
The content of this prayer outline is compiled from Don Pucik, associate executive director, of the Arkansas State Baptist Convention, Henry Blackaby, Glen Shepherd, J. Edwin Orr, and others.
Remember – Missouri matters. (Ron Barker is personal evangelism/spiritual awakening specialist for the Missouri Baptist Convention. You can contact Ron at 573-636-0400 ext. 651 or e-mail him at rbarker@mobaptist.org.)