Is your church changing? The previous article described the need for change driven by prayer, rather than by our own power.

The army of Christ must often make strategic changes. There are times when we are called to move in new directions, because old directions no longer work. But when we go in new directions, our movement should not be a daring dash on our feet. Rather, it must be a committed crawl on our knees.

Sometimes, we pray strongly in the implementation stage, but we have hardly sought God at all in the initiation stage. So we find ourselves saying, “OK, Lord, we’ve worked hard and initiated our plans—now please bless them!”

Dependent praying must be equally present in the planning as in the doing. When difficulties come, it’s easier to proceed with courage if we are confident the venture flows from Heaven.

At Pentecost, conversions in the public square did not come out of nowhere. They came out of the upper room. See Acts 1:4-14. If the Book of Acts teaches one great lesson, it is this: First the praying, then the power.

If you have failed to pray adequately during the planning, don’t despair! God is full of mercy. His soldiers can go into strategic retreat to seek their Commander’s will and power.

Now let’s get practical. How can a church integrate prayer power into the process of change? God can reveal dozens of ways to those who seek him. Here are some examples….

Much prayer in meetings. Planning sessions that give merely a minute or two for prayer and then move directly into shared ignorance are doomed! How about 20 minutes for prayer, or 30? Especially in times of need, much time must be spent reading applicable promises from the Word and interceding in prayer. Business aids like PowerPoint (the presentation programme by Microsoft®) can be helpful, but we must remember the power point for our churches is not technology—it’s the Holy Spirit.

A stronger prayer presence in worship. “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.” Isaiah 56:7. This is evangelism—extending the Gospel to all people through movements driven by prayer. But often prayer is the least part of worship—unplanned, hurried and lifeless. Public prayer can be meaningful, praise-filled, specific, creative and soul-winning. There’s no finer place to model powerful praying than in our worship services.

Prayer integration in the Bible class. Our Bible classes need the three important elements of fellowship, Bible study and outreach. Integrated into each of these can be a powerful dynamic prompting change—spontaneous, heartfelt prayer. In your Bible class, see what a difference the dynamic of prayer can make.

A call to corporate prayer. Regardless of the time period—one day or 40 days or something in between—a period in which church members are challenged to seek the Lord in special prayer will open the way for extra blessing. “Declare a holy fast; call a sacred assembly. Summon the elders and all who live in the land to the house of the Lord your God, and cry out to the Lord.” Joel 1:14. The format can be varied and creatively designed for selected groups—including mothers, children, youth, professionals, working men and women, and retirees. Let the Spirit lead, then see the Spirit flow.

Home groups for prayer. Try a five-week commitment, meeting once a week in consistent locations. Claim promises from the Word, and seek and document God’s leading for your church. One or two groups might choose to meet at the church.

Prayer-walking. Adults, youth and children can form teams to walk around the church property, around neighbourhoods, around schools or factories or shopping malls or government offices. As you walk, praise God and make specific intercession. Ask God to teach you how to reach the people you’re passing. If people ask who you are and what you’re doing, tell them—and see if they’d like to join you.

This article first appeared in modified form in Mid-America Outlook, August 2006. Copyright © 2009 by Ed Gallagher (South Pacific edition). / Scripture quotations taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission.