What does it mean that we are “prayer centered?”
by Scott Randall (Leadership Board Member)
Have you ever been in a situation wondering what you should do or “what’s next?”
Perhaps you find yourself in such a situation now. Let's look at some actions of the early church in the book of Acts, when they sometimes didn’t know what to do.
Maybe your amazing best friend has very unexpectedly gone away, nullifying your certain plans, and leaving some mysterious instructions about the new plan. What did they do in that situation? “They all joined together constantly in prayer.” (Acts 1:14)
Maybe there is a decision regarding appointing new leadership? “Then they prayed, Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us whom you have chosen.” (Acts 1:24)
What if the Spirit of God moves miraculously, and many enter the Kingdom. What should happen then? “[They were] coming together regularly for prayer.” (Acts 2:42)
What if the authorities don’t like what God is doing, and bring severe threats of harm? “When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God.” (Acts 4:24-30)
It goes on. Friend in jail? Prayer. You’re in jail? Prayer. Someone’s sick? Prayer. Someone died? Prayer. Moving into a difficult yet otherwise unknown situation? Prayer!
The pattern is clear. God always takes the initiative, and it is essential that disciples respond with prayer and obedience. This is a prayer centered church, or in Jesus’s words, a house of prayer. A local pastor once said, “Prayer is the work, and the other works flow from that.”
The central concept of our Renewed Vision is community. When the vision was presented, it was emphasized that this kind of community is aspirational for many; it's something that we are waiting for and working towards. I am in that group, not yet experiencing community like God intends for us.
For many, prayer, and especially praying together, is aspirational. It’s something we are working towards. When the first disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, he was more than willing, just as he is today. When it comes to prayer, there are many who have walked the path from complacency to conviction and eventually commitment that moves towards competence. This happens in community!
A final important word…
Prayer is traditionally thought of as “talking to God”. This is only half right. To reiterate what Pastor Kevin wrote in his previous blog post about being “led by the Spirit,” we have to believe that God will speak to us, and we have to practice listening. Praying together is one of the best ways to practice listening to God. This happens in community!
Have you ever been in a situation wondering what you should do or “what’s next?” For Westgate, we are continuing to discern and discover what God is calling out of each of us in order to see this vision become our reality. Before anything else, we have one appropriate response:
Together let's pray, “What's next Lord?”
1. Visit westgatemn.church/identity-formation to begin (or continue) your own journey of discovering the characteristics, giftings, and experiences that make up your unique identity.
2. Email community@westgatemn.church if you would like to be added to the email newsletter and upcoming prayer opportunities for collectively discerning the work we’re being called to.