I think one of the biggest differences between Churches that are growing, and those which are not is their reliance on God in prayer.
I have a friend who goes to a large church whose pastor is outstanding.
Their people are friendly.
Their buildings are nice.
Their people are genuine.
Their teaching is sound.
However, when they give the invitation,no one gets saved. I think that this is more common than not.
I go to a Church that has a major emphasis on prayer for 21 Days in January and August, and every Saturday morning. When we give the invitation, thousands come.
We meet in schools, gyms, civic centers, and our own buildings.
Our teaching is outstanding.
Our worship is awesome.
But to be totally truthful.
So are a lot of other places.
What is the difference maker?
It is prayer.
I think that the reason prayer is so important is that the Bible teaches to have something that we must ask. (James 4:2)
We ask for people to get saved.
We invite them.
They come, and get saved.
Another reason prayer is so important is when people do get saved. We praise the Lord and not ourselves because we realize that it was God and not us.
Prayer cultivates humility.
We know that God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. James 4:6.
If we were to think that it was us, that would be proud, and God would resist.
However, when we realize that it was our great God who answered our prayers.
We humbly give thanks and honor to God.
I think that the reason that God honors prayer is because it promotes our faith in Him.
I think that one of the signs of being a healthy person of child bearing age is the ability to reproduce.
If you do go to a church with great preaching, discipleship, worship, giving, buildings etc...
Something is still desperately wrong if it is not reproducing by reaching people.
Prayer is a measure of your humility and reliance upon God.
Jesus said "without me you can do nothing" in John 15:5, and that so true.
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