Joining Hands with God & Others Partnership in Prayer Joining Hands with God & Others

Created for Relationship Believing is not enough! God created us for: Relationship with Him Relationship with One Another God ordained us as ambassadors to carry His message of love and reconciliation to others: In partnership with Him In partnership with One Another

Created to Be Fruitful & Multiply Gen. 1:28; Gen. 9:1 We are intended to take dominion: Geographically “Fill the earth and subdue it” Generationally “The God of Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob”

Blessed to be a blessing. Gen. 12:1-3 To be a blessing to all nations Isa. 6:8 Who shall I send? Acts 1:7-8 You shall be my witnesses… 2 Cor. 10:13 God assigns each his task. 1 Cor. 3:5-9 God’s fellow workers Luke 10:1 Called to go where He is about to come.

The Lost Are Crying for the Answer. Luke 16:27-28 Rich man & Lazarus Acts 16:9 Macedonian call for Paul

Our own hearts compel us. 2 Kings 7:3-9 Four starving lepers 1 Cor. 9:16-17 Paul compelled to preach

God calls us to join hands with Him and with one another. 1 Cor. 3:9 God’s fellow workers Luke 10:1 Sent out two by two Mark 16:20 He works with us confirming His word with signs & wonders following.

Multiplied Power in Partnership Ecc. 4:9-12 Threefold cord not easily broken Lev. 26:7-8 Multiplied power in partnership

Partnership convinces unbelievers our message is genuine. John 13:34-35 By this shall all men know… John 17:20-23 That all of them may be one…

Partnership confirms we walk worthy of our call. Eph. 4:1-6 Keep the unity of the Spirit… Eph. 4:17-24 Put off the old self…put on the new self

Partnership focuses us on the main thing—the message of the cross. 1 Cor. 1:10-17 Agree with one another…that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought…

Partnership only comes through humility. Phil. 2:1-11 Make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others…

Partnership is the place of commanded blessing from God. Psalm 133: “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down upon the collar of his robes. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.”

God anoints & empowers us TOGETHER to disciple the nations. 2 Cor. 10:13-15 We each have a measure of faith and area assigned a certain field by God. Eph. 22 In him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives… Eph. 4:7 To each one grace is given as Christ apportioned it. Eph. 4:16 “From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”

Build a Strong Prayer Team BE a person of prayer. You will reproduce what you model. Your team will only be as strong as you are. We must lead by example as Jesus did. Through prayer, God will show you the people of peace who will make up your team.

Recruit Prayer Partners As God shows you who to ask to partner with you in prayer, in HIS timing, go to them and make your request. Give them time to prayerfully reply. You will need to remember the principle of 3-12-70-multitudes: 3 close personal intercessors 12 crisis intercessors 70 congregational partners Multitudes of general intercessors as God provides

Ask God to provide a Prayer Coordinator Prayer Coordinator can: Agree with you in prayer Aid in development and implementation of prayer strategy Coordinate work and communication with prayer team Help with screening and training new members

Expand the Network As God enables you, expand your network: Prayer Chains Prayer Triplets Prayer Groups Prayer Networks

Other Potential Partners Churches Sunday School Classes Cell or house groups Family and friends Bible school students Prayer networks Partnerships focused on your region or people

Communication is Key Regularly communicate to your prayer partners. Include both prayer requests and praise reports—answers to prayer fuel more prayer. Be as specific and timely as possible—letters, cards, e-mail, telephone, etc. Supply useful tools to help guide informed intercession Provide a prayer bookmark highlighting regular prayer needs

Prayer Times Consider setting aside appointed times daily or one day a week or one month a year when prayer teammates observe a time of concerted prayer for the release of God’s power on your assigned focus. Set up a 24 hour prayer vigil for your target. Coordinate prayer walks, prayer journeys, prayer marches or prayer expeditions to your focal group.

New Levels Mean New Devils! Don’t be caught uncovered!! As your work expands, so must your prayer shield!! Don’t neglect the care and feeding of your team members! Nurture these relationships with love and a grateful heart—they are real team members and deserve to share in the times of celebrating God’s answers with you!

Express Gratitude Thank you notes Birthday/anniversary cards Small gifts from time to time Annual remembrance as a thank you for their participation Don’t forget to pray for your prayer partners too!!