The Role of Prayer in Small Church Missions

As I get ready for my day-long webcast of The Exchange on September 7, I have asked several pastors to write guest posts about various aspects of being a Transformational Small Church. Today’s guest blogger is Nathan James, co-pastor of Epoch Church in Little Rock, Arkansas.

At times it may seem that small churches can do little for the kingdom because of limited resources. But in reality we are all called to reach the nations, and every church is empowered by the gospel to make a global impact, regardless of size. Nathan is here today to address that very issue.

God can transform your life and show you his heart for the nations if you allow him. I had one of those experiences not long ago when our church took its first international mission trip. I had the chance to lead a team of twelve to serve the Lord in Haiti on July 4th, 2010. I had been on an international trip before, but this was the church’s first. I want to point out something I was starkly reminded of: When you are willing to follow the Lord’s mandate to reach the nations, then it is as if God pulls back the curtains and gives you a wider kingdom perspective. The way you pray changes. When you pray, Our Lord, it has a whole new meaning. The way you worship in song changes. When you sing, “How Great is Our God,” your worldview broadens. The way you see those around you changes. When someone is hurting, you have a keener sense of compassion. Are you willing to allow the Lord to broaden your kingdom perspective?

God desires to broaden all of our kingdom horizons, but unfortunately many people and churches alike suffer from tunnel vision; many churches are ignorant or lose sight of the fact that we are all called to reach the nations (Matt. 28). Some are too comfortable or set in their ways; others seem to be overwhelmed and paralyzed at the thought of reaching the nations–they don’t even know where to start. Therefore, I want to address four biblical principles that compel people to live out God’s kingdom mission. Rather than focusing on one particular method, I propose that we let these biblical principles shape our philosophy for doing missions.

The first biblical principle worth noting is prayer. Prayer is a vital aspect of reaching the nations (Isa. 56:7). In Scripture, you notice quickly that Paul’s letters are bathed in prayer not only for his fellow believers, but also for the purpose of spreading the gospel to all people. In the Gospel of John we also find Jesus praying for the gospel to spread to the whole world (John 17:20-23). Personally, I have been part of a twenty-four hour prayer time for the nations. People signed up for an hour time slot to come and pray. You can learn a lot about reaching the nations and ways to pray for God’s kingdom to come especially at four o’clock in the morning.

Another way to be involved in reaching the nations and those around you is by giving. >>>