The Time Is Now - Developing A Lifestyle Of Prayer

N. Focus special training and encouragement toward those who are especially "given" to prayer. There are a variety of reasons such people may have an interest in prayer (see, for example, Luke 2:36-37). In order to encourage this strategic use of their time and energy, you may even have to encourage them to give up other ministry responsibilities. The payoff is well worth the sacrifice. 0. Plan and promote special prayer events, perhaps annually, as with a day or a week of prayer for unbelievers leading up to Easter-or at other intervals. Our church recently took the Islamic holy month of Ramadan to learn and prac­ tice how to pray for Muslims. 16 Acts 1:13-14 describes the beginning of a ten-day prayer event leading up to the amazing events of Pentecost, recorded in Acts 2. Consider how a special prayer event might become the occasion for something miraculous in your situation. W'rite down an idea or two.

P. Teach your people how to pray for the salvation of specific friends and family members. If our church's experience is any indicator, praying for lost friends and family will, more than any other topic, motivate people to gather for prayer. For specifics on how to pray for unbelievers, see Lesson 6.

17. How might you motivate those under your care to cultivate the same passion for the lost that Paul expressed in Romans 10:1?

Q. Expand your people's vision to include the world. Go out of your way to make your people's experience of the global need as real and as personalas possible; you will see a radical increase in their prayer fervency. Visit other cultures, invite multicultural guests and missionaries, or maintain correspondence with people around the world. This will bridge the gap between you and the world "out there," enabling you to experience the hearts and souls of people around the globe.

18. How can you, in your situation, help the people under your care to cultivate a pas­ sionfor people worldwide, in keeping with Christ's commission to us (Acts 1:8)?