“We desire to be a movement saturated in prayer.” (Youth for Christ International Strategic Plan 2020-2025, p.8)
This month we begin a series to explore what it looks like to be a movement saturated in prayer. As you can see, we have changed the look for our monthly ePray to reflect our heart’s desire to be a movement that is saturated in prayer. Each month it will be a reminder of our purpose in calling us to pray for lost young people and for more harvest workers in the harvest.
What do you envision when you hear the word saturated? Maybe you envision being caught in a downpour so that your hair is drenched and your clothes are soaked through. Maybe you envision flooded rivers and paddocks where constant rain means water has nowhere else to go. Maybe you picture a sponge that has soaked up all it can, therefore the water begins to pour out of it. Whatever physical image you imagine, I want you to translate that into a spiritual image and imagine what it would mean to be a movement that is saturated in prayer.
What do you see?
I see:
- A movement that is devoted to prayer (Acts 2:42)
- A movement that walks in the holiness of the Lord (1 Peter 1:13-22)
- A movement that walks in unity and love for one another (John 13:35; 17:21)
- A movement that fears the Lord and sees signs and wonders (Acts 2:43)
- A movement that takes ground from the enemy, seeing salvation and transformation (Acts 17:6)
Again I ask, what do you see?
In the New Testament we see a movement that was saturated in prayer:
- The disciples, the female followers of Jesus, Mary, and Jesus’ brothers all being of one accord, devoting themselves to prayer in the upper room (Acts 1:14)
- The first believers devoting themselves to prayer (Acts 2:42)
- The 12 disciples devoting themselves to prayer and the ministry of the word (Acts 6:4)
- Paul encouraging the church in Rome to be constant in prayer (Romans 12:12)
- Paul encouraging the church in Colossae to continue steadfastly in prayer (Colossians 4:2)
The words devoted, constant and continue in these passages are all the same word in the Greek – proskartereo – which means to be earnest towards, to persevere, be constantly diligent in, continue. Do you see the intentionality in that? And not only was prayer really intentional, in these instances it was communal.
Again I ask, what do you see?
As we progress through the series, looking at each of the five points above, I really encourage you to write down what it looks like to be a movement saturated in prayer in your context. Be intentional. If you need help mobilising vision, let me know and I’d love to be able to serve you in any way I am able.
The next International Day of Prayer and Fasting falls on Easter Monday. If it is a declared holiday in your nation, I encourage you to find another time in April when you and your team can meet for a day of prayer. May you have a blessed Easter as you remember the price that was paid for our salvation and the amazing hope we have because of the resurrection.
God bless,
Lyndal Walker
International Prayer Director