Prayer – The Core of Pray Lubbock

(This "doctrinal statement" describes the absolutes as well as the latitudes we have regarding prayer.)

“Pray at all times with all kinds of prayer (Eph. 6:18) to create an atmosphere for revival in our city.”

Pray Lubbock is an association of pastors, churches and ministries who are committed to prayer as the means of creating an atmosphere that attracts the God’s presence, revival, and ultimately, the Kingdom of God. 

 Recognizing that not all prayer is Christian prayer, Pray Lubbock distinguishes itself as being committed exclusively to Bible-based Christ-centered Holy Spirit-dominated prayer – communication with Almighty God as revealed in the Old and New Testaments.  Pray Lubbock pastors base their understanding of prayer from teachings found in God’s Word. 

James 5:16b says …”The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”  (KJV)   Seeking to offer effectual, fervent, united prayer on behalf of our city is our uniting factor.  In its desire to pursue effectual prayer, Pray Lubbock has the following identifiable values.  Some Scriptures give non-negotiable absolutes about prayer, other biblical teachings display the latitude in the practice of prayer:

 Scriptural Absolutes about Effectual Prayer:

1.  We believe that effectual prayer changes things.

  • "Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you.  Matt 7:7

First and foremost is the belief that prayer makes a difference.  Specifically, we believe that prayer is necessary for “God’s will to be done on Earth as it is in heaven.”  We are not just praying for Lubbock to be a nicer place to live, we are praying for the Kingdom of God to reign over and be evident in our city.  We firmly believe that, at times, God’s blessings and protection have been missed simply because we haven’t prayed.  “We have not because we ask not.”  We are an association of pastors and churches who believe prayer changes situations, relationships, life as we know it.

For example, we believe prayer brings tangible results such as:

a.  Receiving a vision from God.

·          I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, a certain object coming down like a great sheet lowered by four corners from the sky; and it came right down to me… Acts 11:5

b.  Healing the sick.

·          …and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. James 5:15

c.  Opening of Heaven before us.

·          Now it came about when all the people were baptized, that Jesus also was baptized, and while He was praying, heaven was opened, Luke 3:21

·          Then Elisha prayed and said, "O LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." And the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. II Ki 6:17

d.  Delivering people from evil.

·          But keep on the alert at all times, praying in order that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man." Luke 21:36

e.  Receiving a revelation of the wisdom of God.

·          But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:5

f.  Changing an entire geographical region.

·          'And seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare.' Jer 29:7

·          …and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chr 7:14

2.  We believe that effectual prayer is to be a primary activity of pastors and churches.

·          And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 2:42

·          And He {began} to teach and say to them, "Is it not written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations'? But you have made it a robbers' den." Mark 11:17

·          "But we will devote ourselves to prayer, and to the ministry of the word." Acts 6:4

·          Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Phil 4:6

·          Pray without ceasing; 1Thes 5:17

Prayer can easily be diminished to token status.  This is not the position of Pray Lubbock.  We have a fundamental belief that prayer is the battle we are called to fight.  Our ministry team is committed to pray more than we talk at our meetings.  We guard our monthly pastor prayer meetings so to insure that we pray rather than conduct business.  We believe that prayer is more important than the actions that follow.  We believe that a pastor’s daily prayer time should be counted by hours, not minutes.  We believe that the most important meeting of the church is the prayer meeting.  In fact, we believe that in some circumstances, prayer is our only recourse.  ("This kind cannot come out by anything but prayer." Mark 9:29)  We are an association of pastors and churches who believe we are called to ever-increasing understanding and experiences in prayer.

3.  We believe that effectual prayer is greatly enhanced when the Body of Christ unites in prayer.

·          I do not ask in behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word;  that they may all be one; even as Thou, Father, {art} in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be in Us; that the world may believe that Thou didst send Me. John 17:20-21

·          Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. Matt 18:19

We believe in praying in agreement.  The body of Christ is our definition of unity.  More than cooperation with or tolerance of one another, the members are interdependent.  This kind of unity only exists where all members acknowledge and honor Jesus as the Head by giving Him Lordship over each member.  We are an association of churches and pastors who believe that John 17 unity is not only possible, but mandatory.

 4.  We believe that effectual prayer is expressed in Jesus’ name.

·          And whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. John 14:13

·          You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and {that} your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask of the Father in My name, He may give to you. John 15:16

·          If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do {it.} John 14:14

Praying in Jesus’ name is much more than a closing phrase in our prayer.  To pray in Jesus’ name is to pray only for the things that Jesus wants.  To pray in Jesus’ name is to appeal to God by our only justifiable virtue – the Blood of Jesus.  This implies that there is no other name by whose authority we may approach the throne of God.  We reject the pursuit of spiritual insight through any other means such as crystals, palm readers, horoscopes, eastern meditation, mediums or occult.  We are an association of churches and pastors who rely solely on Jesus as our mediator and chief intercessor.

5.  We believe that effectual prayer is expressed in accordance with God’s will.

·          You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend {it} on your pleasures. James 4:3

·          And this is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. I Jn 5:14

·          and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight. I Jn 3:22

Jesus taught us to pray according to God’s will.  We believe that God’s word is the express written will of God.  While we do not believe that its teachings are dismissible, we do recognize that many teachings are open to interpretation.  We believe in an orthodox, classic interpretation of the authority of Scripture.  We are an association of churches and pastors who hold the Bible to be the authoritative expression of God’s will.

 6.  We believe that effectual prayer requires righteousness.

·          Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. James 5:16

·          and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chr 7:14

·          "For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and His ears attend to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." 1 Pet 3:12

On the one hand, we believe that we are clothed in righteousness through the Blood of Jesus, and by grace we have been saved through faith.  On the other hand, we pursue personal holiness, not to earn or keep salvation, but in obedience, to be like our Heavenly Father.  We accept the Bible as our authoritative plum line, leading us to righteousness.  We reject a misappropriation of grace that eliminates the need to pursue personal holiness.  We are an association of churches and pastors who believe that personal holiness affects the outcome of our prayers.

7.  We believe that effectual prayer requires faith.

·          Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they shall be {granted} you. Mark 11:24

·          And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive." Matt 21:22

·          But let him ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. James 1:6

·          And if we know that He hears us {in} whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. I Jn 5:15

Biblical faith is more than just wishing with a sincere heart.  Our faith is in the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.  These “things” are not merely our wishes i.e. our will.  These “things” are God’s perfect will and intentions for His people.  We believe that God wants His will to be accomplished on earth.  We also believe that, due to human choice and Satan’s activity, God’s will is not being fully realized.  Faith is applied, then, not to get our will done in heaven, but to get God’s will done on earth.  We are an association of churches and pastors who believe with absolute faith that through prayer, we can bring God’s will into existence.

8.  We believe that effectual prayer requires intimacy with Jesus.

·          If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you. John 15:7

·          …but {only} a few things are necessary, really {only} one, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her."  Luke 10:42

We believe that effectual prayer requires both quality and quantity time spent with Jesus.  Just as Jesus did and said only what He say the Father doing, we, too, can only know how to pray by knowing Jesus, the perfect representation of the Father.  We value worship, prayer and devotional Bible study as pathways to know Jesus intimately.  We are an association of pastors and churches who believe a personal relationship with Jesus is a crucial prerequisite for effectual prayer.

9.  We believe that effectual prayer involves both mind and spirit.

·          The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober {spirit} for the purpose of prayer. 1 Pet 4:7

·          And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for {us} with groanings too deep for words; Rom 8:26

·          For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 1 Cor 14:14

·          What is {the outcome} then? I shall pray with the spirit and I shall pray with the mind also; I shall sing with the spirit and I shall sing with the mind also. 1 Cor 14:15

We believe that prayer involves the sharpest thinking our minds can produce utilizing diagnostic research leading to prayer intelligence; we also believe that prayer involves Holy Spirit given sensitivity.  Each is a Biblical avenue through which the Lord can reveal prayer insight and direction.  We are an association of churches and pastors who believe that prayer intelligence can be achieved through intellect and revelation.

10.  We believe that effectual prayer requires forgiveness.

·          "And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your transgressions. Mark 11:25

It is inconsistent and ineffective to pray while harboring un-forgiveness.  We are an association of pastors and churches who believe that walking in forgiveness and seeking reconciliation prepares our hearts for effectual prayer.

11.  We believe that effectual prayer requires confession of sin.

·          Now while Ezra was praying and making confession, weeping and prostrating himself before the house of God, a very large assembly, men, women, and children, gathered to him from Israel; for the people wept bitterly. Ezra 10:1

·          Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. James 5:16

We believe that confession of sin heals our brokenness and builds relationships with other people and with God.  This action prepares the way for effective prayer.  We reject the practice of praying while practicing, tolerating or condoning sin expressly revealed in God’s Word.  We are an association of churches and pastors who believe that confessing sin brings freedom, healing, reconciliation and prepares us to pray effectively.

12.  We believe that effectual prayer requires humility.

·          and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chr 7:14

We believe that while we have great confidence in God’s ability to bring about His will, we place no confidence in our ability to effect changes.  Walking humbly before God directly affects the results of our prayers.  This humility is not a contrived devaluation of self.  It is an attitude of selflessness which allows total abandonment to the will of God.  This humility is also a prerequisite to achieving oneness with the Body of Christ.  We are an association of pastors and churches who believe pride before God or before others will render our prayers ineffective.

  

Scriptural latitude in the practice of prayer:

  1. We believe prayers of blessing for those who mistreat you can be effective.

·          bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Luke 6:28

  1. We believe that praying with fasting can be effective.

·          "But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting." Matt 17:21

·          Now it came about when I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven. Neh 1:4

  1. We believe that prayer while kneeling down can be effective.

·          And when it came about that our days there were ended, we departed and started on our journey, while they all, with wives and children, escorted us until {we were} out of the city. And after kneeling down on the beach and praying, we said farewell to one another. Acts 21:5

  1. We believe that praying in the Holy Spirit can be effective.

·          But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith; praying in the Holy Spirit; Jude 1:20

·          With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, Eph 6:18

  1. We believe that prayer with anointing oil can be effective.

·          Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; James 5:14

  1. We believe that prayer with weeping and mourning can be effective.

·          Now while Ezra was praying and making confession, weeping and prostrating himself before the house of God, a very large assembly, men, women, and children, gathered to him from Israel; for the people wept bitterly. Ezra 10:1

·          Now it came about when I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven. Neh 1:4

  1. We believe that prayer while prostrating one’s self can be effective.

·          Now while Ezra was praying and making confession, weeping and prostrating himself before the house of God, a very large assembly, men, women, and children, gathered to him from Israel; for the people wept bitterly. Ezra 10:1

  1. We believe that praying in solitude can be effective.

·          But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will repay you. Matt 6:6

  1. We believe that praying with the laying on of hands can be effective.

·          Then {some} children were brought to Him so that He might lay His hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them. Matt 19:13

·          And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them. Acts 6:6

  1. We believe that whole nights of prayer can be effective.

·          And it was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God. Luke 6:12

  1. We believe that praying with lifted holy hands can be effective.

·          Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension. 1 Tim 2:8

  1. We believe that praying by rote is not necessarily effective.

·          "And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition, as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. Matt 6:7 

 

"Pray at all time with all kinds of prayer" Ephesians 6:18

 
© Copyright Pray Lubbock. All Rights Reserved.                 Web Design by DreamTaxi | Media & Marketing