{"id":8343,"date":"2021-02-22T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-02-22T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trainchurchleaders.com\/practicum\/?p=8343"},"modified":"2025-06-24T15:59:46","modified_gmt":"2025-06-24T19:59:46","slug":"prayer-is-essential-preventative-process","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trainchurchleaders.com\/practicum\/prayer-is-essential-preventative-process.htm","title":{"rendered":"Prayer is Essential as a Preventative and When in Process"},"content":{"rendered":"

Do you believe Jesus’ promise, “if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matt. 18:19-20)? While this truth very possibly has a general application, the specific context in which we find the promise relates to the necessity of dealing with sinful behavior in the life of a fellow believer. We must consequently grasp the critical nature of prayer in church discipline situations. We must view praying as important<\/a> not only for the process but must also understand that prayer is essential as a preventative for even needing to head in that direction.<\/p>\n

For prayer to be a critical part of these kinds of situation, it needs to be essential at other times. When prayer isn’t our first line of defense in other situations, it probably won’t be in how we help an erring church member. Sadly, in too many cases, prayer becomes a last resort, after so much damage has already been done.<\/p>\n

\"Prayer
\nLeaders, understand your role in fostering a church culture wherein prayer becomes a constant, on-going priority.<\/p>\n

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. (Col. 4:2)<\/em><\/p>\n

What Church Leaders Can do to Foster a Culture Where Prayer is Essential<\/h2>\n

Leaders must begin with themselves. Constantly pray for people in the church or ministry who are straying from the truth and living in accordance with their old nature. But, leaders must also constantly pray for people even when they seem to be doing well, that they remain strong in the Lord, able to resist the evil one. We all face troubles and temptations in this world.<\/p>\n

With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. (2 Thess. 1:11-12)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Leaders need to make themselves available and approachable so people feel the freedom to seek them out for prayer not just when physically sick but also spiritually unwell (James 5:14-15). Sometimes sin gets rooted in people’s lives because they don’t feel safe to be honest with their leaders about their struggles early on.<\/p>\n

Leaders should point people to their need to pray in good times but also in times of trouble (James 5:13) and temptation (Matt. 6:13) so that they can rise above and live a life worthy of the Gospel (Phil. 1:27). And, if they do err, emphasize the importance of quickly turning back to God with a repentant heart, confessing their sin, and finding Him faithful in forgiving them and restoring them to a place of completeness and victory (1 Jn. 1:8; 1 Pet. 5:6-11).<\/p>\n

Leaders should encourage the Body to be praying for one another in light of the spiritual forces of evil in this world (Eph. 6:18) and our sinful human nature (1 Jn. 5:14-17). How glorious when a church gets to the point where people feel safe enough to confess their sins to each other and pray for each other to bring about healing (James 5:16). Through prayer we carry one another’s burdens and can be used by God to restore someone who is caught in a sin (Gal. 6:1-2).<\/p>\n

Go To:<\/strong> Prayer Resources for Church Leaders<\/a><\/p>\n

Also Check Out:<\/strong> Prayer Ministry Manual<\/a><\/p>\n

All Posts about Church Discipline:<\/h3>