We cannot overemphasize the need to pray before, during, and after making changes. When God’s the One directing change, He’s also the One shouldering the outcome. Praying helps us align with God and His desires for our churches so let’s ask, seek, and knock when we sense the need to make changes. His ways are higher. His ways are always best.
Ask, Seek, Knock When Needing to Make Changes
Sandwiched in the midst of some teaching on prayer, Jesus said, “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Lk. 11:9-10)
ASK
We’re told specifically to ask for wisdom in James 1:5 which is something we desperately need when it comes to making changes in our churches. We need to not only know the right changes to make but the best way to go about making the changes. Further, how do we deal with obstacles or resistance? Ask God for wisdom “and it will be given to you” which is what God promises in both Luke 11:9-10 and James 1:5. While Jesus endorses asking God for our daily bread (Matt. 6:9-11), He also told Satan that “man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” when he tempted Him change stones into bread. When we’re filled “with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives” (Col. 1:9-10), we have what we need whatever our circumstances (Phil. 4:11-13).
SEEK
In Matthew 6:33, Jesus told us what we’re to seek — “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness”. Making changes in the Church shouldn’t merely be about coming up with a different way of doing things or about innovating to keep relevant. Rather, it’s about getting on page with God. What needs to be done to advance His kingdom through our churches? What will most promote Him and His righteousness? We need to to persist praying, or seeking, until we’re sure that we are aligned with God. Even if we strayed from His ways, making worldly or self-centered changes, God promises His very presence to get us back on track. –“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jer. 29:13)
KNOCK
The Apostle Paul looked for open doors of opportunity for effective ministry (1 Cor. 16:8-10). He viewed prayer as vital, asking others to pray that “God may open a door for our message” (Col. 4:3). When he perceived God opened that door, Paul stayed the course, not giving in to the wishes of others for him to move on or to opposition that came his way (1 Cor. 6:8-9). Let’s be careful we’re not changing simply for the sake of change but rather to have more effective ministry. Notice that Luke 9:10-11 says that “door will be opened” suggesting that we aren’t the one opening the door but rather God. If we have to force a door open, we must consider the possibility that the change we want to make may not be from God, at least not at this time.
Sense the need to make changes in your church? Ask God for wisdom. Seek His will and a process that reflects His righteous character. Then knock, waiting for Him to open the right doors to proceed.
For more help, go to: Prayer Resources
All Posts about Change Management:
- Managing Change According to Church Purpose?
- Body Life Critical to Change Management
- Body Life Provides Safeguards During Change
- Overcoming Resistance to Change
- Managing Change Well Takes Christ-like Thinking
- Managing Change Well Takes Christ-like Attitudes
- Managing Change Well Takes Christ-like Actions
- Power to Navigate Change Well
- Power of Gospel Gives Perspective in Change Management
- Grace Bookend Your Change Process?
- The Spirit Helps Us Navigate Change
- Power for Change in the Name of the Lord
- Change in His Name
- Change For His Name’s Sake
- Change Possible Because of Resurrection Power
- A Change Process Leading to Growth
- Usefulness of Scripture in Change Management
- Bible Verses to Help in the Change Process
- Need to Make Changes? First Ask, Seek, Knock.
- Guiding People to Navigate Change Well
- Servants Not Controllers of the Change Process
- Shepherds Help People Navigate Change
- Navigating Change May Require Demolishing Strongholds