1 Timothy 2:1 (NIV)

Instructions on Worship

2 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—

Prayer in the context of the D’group ministry is seen as an individual and team function. It is the foundational function of the D’group ministry process and the first step in becoming engaged with God’s work in our lives and God’s activity in the marketplace.

Whether we are praying as individuals or as a part of a team, we focus on prayer from three perspectives:

Prayer for our own personal intimacy with Christ

“Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. – Psalms 37:4

Our intimacy with Christ is established and nurtured as we spend time with God in prayer. As we learn to communicate with Him and learn to experience Him we will discover a depth of relationship that brings about personal transformation. We believe that effective ministry flows out of intimacy with Christ.

Prayer for the salvation of those in our sphere of influence

“Brothers, my hearts desire and prayer to God for the Israelites (fellow countrymen) is that they may be saved.” – Romans 10:1

D’group values consistent prayer for those in our sphere of influence who are not yet followers of Christ. Each person maintains a list of associates or friends who have yet to make a commitment to Christ called a “Ten Perfect List,” or a “TPL. List.”

We encourage daily individual prayer and weekly team prayer focused on God moving in the hearts of these people. We pray their eyes will be opened, that the Holy Spirit will bring conviction of guilt regarding their sin, and that they might hear, understand and respond to the Gospel. We pray for opportunities to be salt and light to these people, for opportunities to grow our relationship with them and for opportunities to share Christ with them.

Prayer for one another

“Therefore pray for each other so that you may be healed.”- James 5:16

Prayer for other members of the team is a natural part of the process of developing a sense of community. Lifting up to our Heavenly Father the real life issues of our team members creates a bond of love and commitment that brings hope and healing and a willingness to serve.

 

Privilege of Prayer Click

The fact that you and I, as finite beings, can communicate with God who is infinite is a privilege that ought not to be taken lightly.  Jesus reminded you that this privilege is based on your relationship with your “Father which is in heaven. . . .”

Not all people have this privilege.  As you consider the privilege of prayer, observe two classes of people.

Sinners

Those who have never been saved are known biblically as sinners.  Though God is willing to save them, they are not willing to receive Jesus Christ as their Savior.  Therefore, God is not their heavenly Father because they have never been born again.  Of these, John wrote in his Gospel, “For we know that God heareth not a sinner’s prayer.”  God hears only the sinner’s prayer for salvation.

There are two reasons why sinners do not have the privilege of prayer.  First, there is the fact of sin.  Of this fact, the Psalmist wrote, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” (Psalms 66:18If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
See All…).  The fact of sin keeps them from this wonderful privilege of prayer.  The second reason God does not hear the sinner’s prayer is the faithlessness of sinners.  James wrote of this inability, “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.  For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.  For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord”

(James 1:6-7 [6]But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. [7] For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

See All…).  While the saved can be faithless in prayer, the sinner cannot help but to be!

Sinners do not have the privilege of prayer because of their  sin  and  their  faithlessness.    For these reasons, “God heareth not the sinner’s prayer.”

Saints

Saints are the  class of people, who have been saved by faith through grace are known scripturally as Saints.  They have exercised faith in Christ and have been born again.  God is their heavenly Father.  It is to them that Almighty God has granted the privilege of prayer.  This is the reason Jesus taught us to pray saying “Our Father, which are in heaven. . . .”