It’s interesting that our
word “disciple” contains
the idea of “discipline.”
It stands to follow that if
we are to follow Jesus
Christ — if we say we
are His disciples — that
discipline must be a part
of the experience.
By discipline, I am
focusing on the idea,
not of correction, but of
commitment — of a deter-
mined focus on something by one person that is expected
of him by another. In this case, by focusing on our
prayer lives as followers of Jesus because He Himself
practiced prayer, both privately and together with others;
as well as sharing principles by which we ourselves are
to pray. He expects it of us!
If we know that Jesus modeled prayer and that He
means for us to be people of prayer, why are we so
dysfunctional when it comes to prayer, rather than being
disciplined?
For example: just in the first seven days of
“Our Daily
Bread”
devotions for the new year of 2016 there were
three that touched on prayer. The first one assured the
reader that God answers prayer. The second asked the
question we all have felt at one time — whether God
hears our prayers. The third addressed the dynamic of
making God the focus of our prayers!
When I saw this, it hit me that our feelings about and
our practice of prayer can take many different forms in
our lives, depending on any number of factors (some-
times all in one week)!
It has been said that the best way to learn to pray is
to…pray! The only way we can keep our focus on God
when we pray, work through times of “silence” as we
pray, and believe that God truly does answer our
prayers is through discipline (as defined above). The
best discipline to follow as disciples/followers of Jesus
when it comes to prayer is to follow His example as well
as those of His first disciples.
I would encourage you to read the best book on
prayer you’ll ever find: the Bible! Take time to read the
Gospels to see Jesus’ heart for, and habit of, prayer.
Spend your efforts on reading how the first followers of
Jesus, and the churches that they composed, prayed:
which was often, fervently
and together! Grasp ahold
of what was written by His
followers for future follow-
ers (us) as it pertains to
prayer. Take note of any
attitudes and actions re-
lated to prayer that you
can begin to bring into
your life and the life of
your church right now.
In addition to God’s
Word, there are a couple
of books that have impacted my life recently, and the
life of the church I pastor, that can be sources of great
encouragement:
“The Lord Art of Praying Together”
and
“Praying The Prayers of the Bible”
— both by Pastor
James Banks. Another is
“The Battle Plan for Prayer,”
part of the
“War Room”
movie “arsenal” by the Kendrick
brothers.
This year our Conference President has asked that
everything during “the dash” between last year’s Con-
ference and this year’s be undergirded with prayer. One
way is a “Conference Prayer Room” on the Conference
Facebook page. Another way is in a special, prayerful
“100 Days” countdown to Conference, which begins on
April 22. There will be a list of many aspects to pray for
during this time pertaining to the people and program
related to Conference week. Stay tuned!
Our President has also asked that the week itself be
bathed in prayer: day in and day out during our sessions.
To do this, there will be a special prayer room, a “war
room” of sorts, directly below the sanctuary, where
scheduled times of prayer will take place, as well as
spontaneous times. A prayer “wall,” where ongoing
needs and current answers can be written down, prayed
over and praised for, will be available in this room. In-
spiring books and videos will be on hand for any who
want to make use of this place of prayer while we are
there. Get ready!
As an inspiring launch into Conference Week, Sunday
evening will feature a showing of the movie “War Room”
after the evening service. Make plans!
It has been said that God will do nothing “great” until
He first sets His people to pray. Let’s pray now — let’s
pray during Conference week — and watch God do
what only He can do!
16
February 2016 • SR
Christian Education Council
Rev. Nicholas J. Kersten
Director of Education and History
SR
Prayer as a Disciple
Prayer as a Discipline
By Rev. Steven James
