12 Ways To Build A Praying Church In A Noisy World

There are many different indicators of church health. One of the more underrated ones is whether a church is a praying church. Prayer is essential for every Christian, and a praying church is often a strong church. 

In a world full of distractions and noise, it can be difficult for churches to prioritize prayer. However, it is crucial for a church to become a praying church in order to truly impact its community and the world.

In this guide, we walk through 12 simple, yet effective ways that church leaders can help their church grow in prayer.

Commit To Being A Praying Church

Becoming a praying church requires a commitment to prayer, both individually and as a community. It means deciding as a church to pursue prayer together. To seek God and all that He wants to do through prayer. It is not just about individuals praying, but the entire church coming together in unity and lifting their voices to God.

If you're a pastor or church leader, consider making a public commitment to prayer, both personally and as a church. Encourage your congregation to do the same. Share the vision and importance of prayer with them, and challenge them to join you in building a praying church.

In 1 Timothy 2:12, Paul says, "I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people." Prayer should be a priority in the life of every believer and in the life of the church. When we commit to being a praying church, we are choosing to align ourselves with God's heart and His will for our lives and our community.

Create A Church Culture Of Prayer

Prayer is just as much caught as taught, and one of the biggest steps in building a praying church is creating a church culture of prayer. There are many things that a church can prioritize. When a problem arises, it's easy to go into problem-solving mode. Start this program. Begin this initiative. Talk with these people.

And while those things have their place, the church must prioritize prayer. D.L. Moody said, "Every great movement of God can be traced to a kneeling figure." 

If you want to see a great movement of God in your church, work hard to build a culture of prayer. A culture where prayer is the first instinct, not the last resort. A culture where people understand the power and importance of prayer in their own lives and in the life of the church.

Make Prayer A Regular Part Of Your Services

Set aside time during each service for corporate prayer. Whether it's through spoken prayers, silent reflection, or worship music, make sure that prayer is always a part of your church gatherings.

The early church was a praying church. In Acts 2:42 we read, "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." This serves as a model for the church today.

Consider how you might weave prayer throughout your church services. Some simple places for prayer include:

• At the beginning and end of the singing portion of the service
• Prior to the collection of tithes and offerings
• Before and after the sermon
• As part of the benediction

Have Regular Prayer Meetings

If you want to build a praying church, consider scheduling weekly or monthly prayer meetings. These meetings can be a time of focused prayer for specific needs within the church, the community, and the world.

Additionally, encourage people to also share praises and thanksgivings during these times of prayer. This will help build a culture of gratitude and trust in God's faithfulness.

These times of prayer don't have to be incredibly long. Even just an hour of prayer can have an eternal impact. E.M. Bounds said, "Prayers outlive the lives of those who uttered them; outlive a generation, outlive an age, outlive a world.”

When members of your church gather together to pray, God does great things. In Matthew 18:20, Jesus promises, "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them." Encourage those who gather for prayer to have faith in the incredible things God does through prayer.

Encourage Personal Prayer Life

In addition to corporate prayer, encourage your congregation to have a personal and consistent prayer life. This could be through daily devotionals, journaling prayers, or simply finding quiet time to talk with God.

Prayer is an intimate and vital part of our relationship with God. It allows us to communicate with Him, seek His will, and grow closer to Him. Encouraging a personal prayer life in your church will not only strengthen individuals but also the entire body as they unite in prayer for each other.

In James 5:16, it says, "The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." If you're a pastor or leader, work hard to help those in your church have faith in the effectiveness of their prayers. Encourage them to believe that God will do amazing things in response to their prayers.

If the members of your church don't have robust prayer lives, you're going to have a hard time building a praying church. A.W. Tozer spoke to this when he said, “To desire revival… and at the same time to neglect (personal) prayer and devotion is to wish one way and walk another.”

On the other hand, when we see answers to prayer in our personal lives, it encourages us to pray that God would do great things throughout the church.

Preach On Prayer

A sermon series on prayer can be tremendously effective in stirring up your congregation to pursue prayer. It can strengthen the faith of your congregation and give them fresh zeal for prayer.

Throughout your sermons, use biblical examples, share testimonies of answered prayers, and encourage practical ways to incorporate prayer into daily life.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Paul instructs us to "pray without ceasing." Leaders in the church have a responsibility to teach and remind the congregation of the importance and power of prayer. Preaching on prayer is one way to fulfill this responsibility.

Provide Resources On Prayer

In addition to preaching on prayer, consider providing other resources on the subject to further encourage those in your congregation. Some classic books about prayer include:

• A Praying Life: Connecting With God In A Distracting World by Paul Miller
• Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy With God by Tim Keller
• The Complete Works of E.M. Bounds on Prayer by E.M. Bounds
• Praying The Bible by Donald Whitney
• Everyday Prayers: 365 Days To A Gospel-Centered Faith by Scotty Smith

Doing a book study on any of these books is a great way to help those in your congregation grow in their understanding and practice of prayer. This can be done in small groups or as a church-wide study.

By making these resources available to your congregation, you are not only equipping them with tools to deepen their prayer lives but also affirming the importance and value of prayer in the church.

Encourage Small Group Prayer

Small groups are the perfect place to encourage and practice prayer within the church community. In these smaller, more intimate settings, people may feel more comfortable sharing their struggles and praying for one another.

Encourage small group leaders to incorporate intentional times of prayer into their meetings. This can include taking turns sharing requests and lifting them up in prayer, or even setting aside a specific meeting for a time of extended prayer.

In Philippians 4:6, Paul encourages believers to "not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." By fostering a culture of prayer within small groups, you are helping your congregation live out this instruction and support one another in their faith journeys.

Also, ask small groups to pray for larger, church-wide needs. This is a way to connect the larger congregation and create a sense of unity in prayer.

Create A Prayer Team

A prayer team is a group of individuals who are dedicated to praying for the needs of the church and its members. This team can be made up of both laypeople and leaders within the church.

Having a designated prayer team provides specific, focused prayer for those who need it most. It also serves as a reminder to the congregation that their requests are being lifted up regularly by a group of individuals devoted to interceding on their behalf.

Consider letting people submit prayer requests to the prayer team through an online form of some sort so that the team is always up to date on what they should be praying for.

Utilize Technology

There are countless ways to utilize technology for prayer within the church. If you use a Church Management System (ChMS) like Breeze, you can add prayer requests to each person's record, making it easier to keep track of who needs prayer for what. You can also create groups, like the prayer team, within the ChMS for more efficient communication and organization.

Social media can also be a powerful tool for prayer. Consider creating a private Facebook group or using platforms like Slack or GroupMe to share and pray for requests in real-time.

Remember, technology should serve you, not the other way around. Whatever tech you use should make it easier for your church to become a praying church.

Lead By Example

As a pastor or church leader, you can lead your church into becoming a praying church through your personal example of prayer. Make it a priority to pray with and for your congregation, both individually and corporately. Share how prayer has impacted your life and encourage others to share their own stories. And, incorporate teaching about the power of prayer wherever possible.

Don't be afraid to share your personal struggles with prayer as well. The reality is that many people struggle with prayer. They struggle to make it a priority. When you are authentic and vulnerable about your own struggles with prayer, it can inspire others to do the same and create a culture of honesty and authenticity within your church.

Leading by example also means creating opportunities for corporate prayer during services or events. This can be through designated prayer times, prayer walks, or even setting up a physical prayer wall where people can write down their requests and pray for others' requests.

Celebrate Answered Prayers

A final way you can lead your church toward becoming a praying church is by celebrating answered prayers. When you draw attention to answered prayers, it encourages others to continue praying and trusting in God's faithfulness. Share testimonies of answered prayers during services or through social media platforms.

Additionally, make sure to follow up with people who have shared their prayer requests and get updates on how God has answered their prayers. This helps create a sense of community and support within your church.

Is Your Church A Praying Church?

Take a moment for honest reflection about your own church. Is your church known for prayer? Do people feel comfortable sharing their prayer requests and struggles with prayer? Are there opportunities for corporate prayer and celebrations of answered prayers?

If not, don't get discouraged. Leading a church toward becoming a praying church takes time and effort. But it is worth it in the end when your community becomes stronger in its faith and relationship with God through the power of prayer.