Prayer Ministry Do’s,
Don’ts & Helpful Hints:
©2012
by Alan Garrett
The scriptural basis:
Luke 4:18-21 (Jesus’
ministry); Matt 9:35-10:8 (Workers for the harvest-sending of the 12); Luke
10:1-21 (Sending of the 72); Matt 28:18-20;
Mark 16:15-19 (the great commission-sending us); Acts 1:4-9- (Luke’s version of
the great commission). 1 Cor
2:1-5; 1 Cor 4:19-20 (Paul’s priority of power);
Operate from a place of intimacy and abiding
John 15:5 I
am the vine. You are the branches. Those
who live in me while I live in them will produce a lot of fruit. But you can't
produce anything without me (GW).
Learn to do what the Father
is doing and operate out of dependency on Him.
John 5:19 I tell you the
truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his
Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does (NIV).
Pray with your eyes open
(unless you are receiving prayer)
As you are seeing in the
natural God will often speak to you.
Jesus and his disciples ministered with their eyes open. (Acts 3:4- they looked intently at him).
Teamwork
When praying for someone our
prayers should fit together like pieces of a puzzle. When the Holy Spirit is leading, there is a
“flow” to the ministry time. Do not head
too many directions. Give non-verbal
communication to others praying.
Be open, listen and take risks
Dialogue with God and ask him
questions. Be sensitive to “mind’s eye
pictures”, impressions, and physical sensations (Jesus felt power leave him Lk
8:46). You can read all the manuals
about parachuting, but sooner or later your going to have to test it out.
Often, gifts will not show up till they are needed
Put yourself in positions
where gifts are needed. (Rocket guidance
system story)
Gifting is not the same thing as maturity.
Paul said the church in Corinth did not lack any
spiritual gift (ICor 1:7), yet they were an immature church. Paul had to address issues of division
(Cor1:11ff) and open sin (ICor 5:1).
Timing
Do things in an orderly manner. Just because you have a word doesn’t mean its time to give it. (see 1Cor 14:31-32).
Learn from more experienced people
Pick people who have a
history of effectiveness. Ask
questions. Watch what they do. Imitate them. Heb 13:7-Remember your leaders
who have spoken God's word to you. Think about how their lives turned out, and
imitate their faith (GW).
Know who you are-know your authority
Mt. 28:18 All authority is
given to me, so go! Mk 16:17-18 These
signs will follow…Mt 10:1 He called them to Himself and gave them
authority to…
Authority is exousia-authority,
jurisdiction, right (tank analogy). Zeal and authority are not the same thing.
Pray with faith and expectation
James 5:16 The effective,
fervent prayer of a righteous
man accomplishes much. Effective, fervent = energeo (en-erg-eh'-o)-to be active, efficient. Avoid “explaining, begging prayers” and “if
it be your will” prayers. T. K. “Willing seller, willing buyer.” You do not have to be loud to exercise faith-you
have just as much authority when you pray are praying quietly.
Intercession is not the main focus
Although intercession may be
appropriate, the ministry prayer time in not an intercessory prayer meeting.
Don’t turn the prayer time into a counseling session
It is ok to give a word of
wisdom, but the primary focus of this time is the ministry of the Holy
Spirit. Save counsel for the end of the
prayer time. Avoid “pat answers.”
Respect people’s dignity
Ask permission to pray. Be cautious where you lay on hands. Stop ministry when they indicate they want to stop. Respect personal boundaries.
Avoid private one-on-one ministry with members of the
opposite sex.
There is protection and
accountability in numbers.
Be “naturally supernatural.”
Avoid actions that people may
interpret as weird or may be a distraction from effective ministry. We want our ministry to be received by people
of many different backgrounds. Become
“all things to all people” 1Cor 2:22. Avoid
“churchy, religious behavior.” or “showy
behavior.”
Be full of the Holy Spirit
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit
is essential to being effective in kingdom ministry. Eph 5:18 Do not be drunk
with wine but be filled (pleroo) with the Holy Spirit. The word translated “Be
filled” (plēroō) – means to fill to the
top: so that nothing shall be wanting, to full measure, fill to the brim. The form of
the verb used here is plerousthe. It is
a 2nd person, plural, present, passive, imperative verb. It has a passive voice and imperative mood (a
command). It is best translated “let
yourselves be filled.” This is written to
Ephesian Christians who had already received the Holy Spirit. Paul said in Eph 1:13 that they were “marked
in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.”
It follows that Christians, who have received the Holy Spirit, can
receive more from Him.
Operate out of a full toolbox
Don’t limit yourself to the
gifts/giftings you usually flow in.
Think broader. We have a full
toolbox in the Holy Spirit. Many people functioned in multiple giftings and
offices. 1 Cor 12:31- But eagerly desire
the greater gifts. And now I will show
you the most excellent way. “The dancing
hand of God”-1 Cor 13 The context is “When the whole church comes together”-
13:23. Out of all the gifts, which one
is the most important…the gift you need at the time.
“The dancing hand of God”-1
Cor 13 The context is “When the whole church comes together- 13:23.”
Gift lists (1 Cor 12:8-10 & 28; Rom 12:6-8; 1 Peter 4:10-11) None of the lists are complete.
1 Cor. Gifts:
Discernment Gifts
Word of Wisdom-(logos sophia) Speaking or applying God’s wisdom to a
specific situation.
Word of Knowledge-(logos gnosis) Revelation of specific facts or
information that are spoken by an individual.
Discerning of Spirits-Judging whether the spirit operating is human,
demonic, or divine.
Power gifts
Faith-Certainty that God is about to act through a word or action. It comes with the ability to accomplish what God is about to do.
Gifts of Healing -An event or progression of events where a person
receives physical, spiritual, or mental healing.
Effects of Miracles-when people and things are noticeably affected in an
extraordinary way by God’s power.
Gifts of Speech
Prophecy-The declaration of a message from God for the purpose
of edification.
Tongues-Spirit inspired speaking in another language (human
or angelic).
Interpretation of Tongues- The God given interpretation of tongues.
The demonstration of God’s power was important to Paul
1 Cor 2:1-5- When I came to
you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed
to you the testimony about God. For I
resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him
crucified. I came to you in weakness and
fear, and with much trembling. My
message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a
demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's
wisdom, but on God's power (NIV).
Above all else, love
1 Cor 12:31- But eagerly
desire the greater gifts. And now I will
show you the most excellent way…Love (ch 13)
Hope this blesses you!
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