“Planting Starts with Prayer”
Rev. James D. Buckman
National Mission Strategist
“… my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations…. And as He taught them, He said, ‘‘Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’?” (Isaiah 56:7closeIsaiah 56:7
7 these I will bring to my holy mountain,
and make them joyful in my house of prayer;
their burnt offerings and their sacrifices
will be accepted on my altar;
for my house shall be called a house of prayer
for all peoples.” (ESV)
closeIsaiah 56:7closeIsaiah 56:7
7 these I will bring to my holy mountain,
and make them joyful in my house of prayer;
their burnt offerings and their sacrifices
will be accepted on my altar;
for my house shall be called a house of prayer
for all peoples.” (ESV)
7 these I will bring to my holy mountain,
and make them joyful in my house of prayer;
their burnt offerings and their sacrifices
will be accepted on my altar;
for my house shall be called a house of prayer
for all peoples.” (ESV)
& Mark 11:17closeMark 11:17
17 And he was teaching them and saying 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 den of robbers.” (ESV)
closeMark 11:17closeMark 11:17
17 And he was teaching them and saying 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 den of robbers.” (ESV)
17 And he was teaching them and saying 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 den of robbers.” (ESV)
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Luther in his commentary on this passage from Isaiah, noted that God’s promise to Abraham of being a father of many nations; was meant to be fulfilled as His temple became “a house of prayer”. Prayer was the means which God designed to carry His grace to all people.
“Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain.” (Ps 127:1closePsalm 127:1
Unless the Lord Builds the House
A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.
127:1 Unless the Lord builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the watchman stays awake in vain. (ESV)
closePsalm 127:1closePsalm 127:1
Unless the Lord Builds the House
A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.
127:1 Unless the Lord builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the watchman stays awake in vain. (ESV)
Unless the Lord Builds the House
A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.
127:1 Unless the Lord builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the watchman stays awake in vain. (ESV)
)
If we desire to reach out and share the Good News; we must start with prayer. If we desire to reach out and gather people into new worshipping communities; we must start with prayer. And this prayer had better be a time of listening; not just talking. Our word & sacrament communities are not “ours”; our very bodies are not even “ours”; they are temples of the Most High God. We are living stones whom God builds into a Spiritual house; with Jesus Himself as the Cornerstone.
The first Phase in House Church Planter training is Congregational Prayer Ministry training. A church can do Congregational Prayer Ministry (C.P.M.) training and not be obligated to continue with planting House Churches. But if you want to receive House Church Planter training; the first Phase of your training will be in C.P.M. The first class of C.P.M. is offered for free (donations are gladly accepted J). “Planting starts with Prayer”; but Praying does not require us to Plant- the Holy Spirit will guide you in this.
“… apart from Me you can do nothing.” (Jesus in John 15:5closeJohn 15:5
5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (ESV)
closeJohn 15:5closeJohn 15:5
5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (ESV)
5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (ESV)
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Only the inexperienced and the prideful attempt to do God’s work in their own strength. Prayer, God’s Word, Communion, Baptism, the assembly of believers, Confession & Absolution, Spiritual songs & hymns; this is where the Holy Spirit works. We are never apart from Jesus; when we have the Holy Spirit J Prayer is the rhythm of our day; when we rise; when we lay down; when we plan; when we face fear; when we hope; when we are hurt. Prayer is our “wireless connection” to God J And, He has already paid the bill.
Just as Prayer is part of the Spiritual DNA of each believer; so also God’s house, is a house “of Prayer”. Prayer starts and ends our discussions; the means through which we gently discover the burdens of our brother or sister’s heart; a visible evidence to the world at large of the genuineness of our care for them. Even as Jesus prayed for His disciples; the Holy Spirit prays for us.
Apart from Prayer, we are apart from Christ. Apart from Christ; we are fools relying on man made ideas and self help. This produces exactly to what Christ said it would- “nothing”! To plant new worshipping communities; requires many things & at the top of the list, there must be Prayer.
“… we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord
and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge
of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may
have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father,
who has qualified you to share in the inheritance
of the saints in the kingdom of light.”
(Colossians 1:10-13closeColossians 1:10-13
10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. 11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, (ESV)
closeColossians 1:10-13closeColossians 1:10-13
10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. 11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, (ESV)
10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. 11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, (ESV)
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2. God will give us His blessing & guidance through it
3. God’s eye will be upon us
4. Any age can pray (practically)
5. Anywhere
6. Any religion prays; so everyone is already familiar with the concept of prayer.
7. Cost free
8. Post Moderns dig it- because it is highly subjective & “experts” can’t fully explain it
9. Connected at a personal level with those who share Prayer requests with you
10. Mercy Ministry can be directed more effectively to the self identified priorities of those we serve
11. Great discipleship priority
12. Have a great “reason” to follow up with people you are just getting to know
13. Not trying to get money from people
14. Not trying to get people to do something
15. Best thing we can do for someone
16. Fulfills the 2nd Table of the Law
17. It is Jesus’ vision for the Church
18. It is a way for people to experience God’s grace
19. The Holy Spirit is Praying for us
20. No one (except yourself) can actually stop you from praying
21. People will see God; when they see you Praying- you will be the “mask of God” (Luther)
22. Prayer based relationships are Christ focused & totally transparent, from the very beginning
23. No permits/licenses needed
24. No tracts to hand out
25. Your reason…
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need,
and thank Him for all He has done.” (Philippians 4:6closePhilippians 4:6
6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (ESV)
closePhilippians 4:6closePhilippians 4:6
6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (ESV)
6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (ESV)
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There are four courses in Congregational Prayer Ministry training; watch the intro videos for more information
Course 101- “A House Built for Prayer”. Foundational course; helps establish Prayer everywhere in your ministry. This course & all the supporting documents is free (donations gladly accepted).
Course 102- “A House Bathed in Prayer”. Builds on first course; use Prayer to minister to those already in your congregation.
Course 103- “A House Bringing Prayer”. Builds on the first two courses; use Prayer to connect with those in your community.
Course 104- “A House Birthed Through Prayer”. Prepare to plant a HouseChurch. The next step in your training is Phase II, “Planter Training”.
Each course has video vignettes to watch. There are fill in the blank handouts which you download from the web site that go along with the videos. Also, there is a reading list for each course (no more than two or three books; all of which can be purchased for a reasonable price on Amazon.com etc)
The courses focus on: what we believe happens in prayer; why we pray; some specific examples of how to pray; over 100 ways to use Prayer to increase the effectiveness of your ministry and resources for supporting your ministry. What you will learn here is not “theory” it has been done for over 15 years in LCMS congregations; in rural, suburban & urban settings; among immigrants & long time citizens.
Here is the list of video vignettes for, “A House Built for Prayer”; the first course you will take in Congregational Prayer Ministry training. Each clip is between three & nine minutes; most are around four or five minutes. Each clip expands on a slide in the PowerPoint download provided.
101.1. Welcome
101.2. How Focused On Prayer Is My Church
101.3. Jim’s story
101.4. Your story?
101.5 The four Levels of Congregational Prayer Ministry
101.6. Luther Loved Prayer
101.7. Fervent & Faithful Prayer
101.8. Abraham & God’s House of Prayer
101.9. Personally Believing That God Hears Prayer
101.10. Praying in the Name of Christ
101.11. Our Prayers Can Move God
101.12. Luther’s Five Parts to Prayer
101.13. Moses- A Humble Prayer
101.14. Luther on Where to Pray & How to Increase Power in Prayer
101.15. The sixth Function of the Priesthood of the Baptized
101.16. Pray For Your Earthly Needs
101.17. Fulfill the Commandments through Prayer
101.18. Jesus’ Prayer Life
101.19. Help Others Be Saved Through Your Prayers
101.20. Asking & Receiving
101.21. Persevere in the Practice of Prayer
101.22. What God Wants In Prayer
101.23. Prayer is at the Heart of Doing Good
101.24. The Lost Must Be a Prayer Priority
101.25. Prayer Can Be Powerless
101.26. The Public Office is not necessary to Pray
101.27. Prayer is About Serving Others; God First
101.28. Pray for New Believers to Join Your Prayer Ministry
101.29. The Five Functions of a Church & How Prayer Improves Them
101.30. How Prayer Can Increase the Effectiveness of Your Outreach
101.45 Contact Information
