How we view prayer.
As we look at the opening pages of scripture, God, in His infinite creativity and genius, when He could have accomplished anything His heart desires, chose to form man from the ground and then walk with him in the cool of the day in the garden.
Later with the tabernacle, we see lots of garden-like imagery as the presence of God resides there. Then the tabernacle becomes the temple. Then Jesus sends us His Spirit to dwell in us.
In the last days, Jesus will usher in eternity in a garden city, with us walking with God again. His radiance creates so much light we no longer need the sun. And once again, we’re back where we are intended to be - in His presence.
The primary points of prayer are both communion with God and partnership with God.
There has never been a spiritual awakening in any country or locality that did not begin in united prayer.
Arthur Tappan Pierson
Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. He’s the archetype for living fully human. His lifestyle, words, actions, and motivations are pure and good in the ways God intended humans to live. We are to model our life after the life and practice of Jesus. To become mature is to attain to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:13).
With this as the backdrop, it’s important that we look to the life of Jesus to inform our own prayer life. To understand frequency, intensity, motive, types, and what the goal of prayer is.
The ministry of Jesus begins with prayer. It says “And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” Luke 3:21-22
We see Jesus praying alone in quiet wilderness locations. We see Jesus praying for his disciples. We see Jesus praying for the will of the Father. We see Jesus pray to the Father, thanking Him for always hearing his prayers, and then raising Lazarus from the dead. We see Jesus pray with thankfulness to the Father that he had hidden things from the “wise” and instead revealed them to little children. (Matthew 11:25) These are just a few examples from a very large list.
Jesus began his ministry with prayer (Luke 3:21), and he closed out his earthly ministry with prayer (Luke 23:46)
Like Jesus, we should pray often.
Like Jesus, we should pray for a move of the Spirit.
Like Jesus, we should pray for effective ministry efforts.
Like Jesus, we should pray for the will of the Father to come to pass.
Like Jesus, we should pray for the resurrection and healing of others.
Like Jesus, we should pray with thankfulness.
Like Jesus, we should pray often in the quiet, and often with others.
Like Jesus, we should pray when our spirit is in agony due to extreme circumstances.
Like Jesus, we should pray through the night sometimes.
Like Jesus, we should pray for God’s provision and multiplication of resources to feed 5,000.
Like Jesus, we should pray before selecting people to disciple and/or ministry teammates.
Like Jesus, we should pray to be one with God just as he and the Father are one.
There are countless ways the life of Jesus can inform how we see prayer. Pair this with the prayers of the Apostles throughout the New Testament and the case for fervent prayer is pretty rock solid. Add in Church history, revivals, awakening, etc…prayer simply can’t be ignored.
As a network, we want to be those who aim to be intentional and focused with prayer. We encourage everyone to give themselves grace, and room to fumble and make mistakes, but not to let a lack of experience and comfort stand in the way of a concerted effort towards a corporate city-wide, and private individual lives of prayer.
I continue to dream and pray about a revival of holiness in our day that moves forth in mission and creates authentic community in which each person can be unleashed through the empowerment of the Spirit to fulfill God's creational intentions.
-John Wesley
What we’re praying for.
Revival in the hearts of God’s people in Lane County.
For God to heal our land (2 Chronicles 7:14). Fruitfulness, life, and blessing to pour out on the region.
For unity of heart and a united effort across the whole Church in each town/city in our region.
For the Gospel to saturate those who are in government authority so that they will properly live out their role as “servants to God” and operate according to God’s ways and principles (Romans 13:4).
For the Gospel to reach and transform the leaders and teachers in our school systems in our region.
Here are two ways to join us in prayer.
1. Sign up to receive “The Remant Post”.
Join believers from across the greater Lane County area as we focus each week on partnering in prayer with a desire to see a move of God birthed. Each week we’ll share a recap of local news, civic/administrative/community updates, and testimonies with suggestions on how we can pray together for outcomes that are aligned with God’s heart and desire for humanity.
2. Join us one morning a week for prayer at Skinner Butte, overlooking the city.
Submit your info to receive text notifications about specifics each week on what we’re praying for, and any changes to where and when we’re meeting.