In this episode, Dave speaks with Patrick, a leader overseeing over 90 churches across 16 districts in Sierra Leone, who shares insights on developing a strategy for abundant prayer. Patrick, a disciple of Shodankeh (featured in Engage Africa videos), highlights how prayer fuels discipleship and movement growth.
Building a Culture of Abundant Prayer
Patrick outlines practical steps for creating a prayer-focused movement:
1. Extend Daily Prayer Times: Begin with the time you are currently praying and increase gradually (e.g. 15-30 minutes).
2. Weekly Intercessors Prayer: Designate intercessors for every group to pray daily.
3. ‘Upper Room’ Prayer Days: Dedicate full days of uninterrupted waiting on God.
4. Weekly Prayer and Fasting: Set a consistent day (e.g., Wednesday) for fasting and prayer. Start small and grow to longer durations.
“Jesus told us to survive without Him, and prayer is how we do it—we move the movement through abundant prayer.”
Key Elements of the Prayer Strategy
- Start with intercessors Prayer: Every group has intercessors connected to a regional prayer team.
- Regional Prayer Hubs: Weekly gatherings for intercessors to pray together.
- Monthly ‘Prayer Quakes’: Intense, three-day spiritual warfare prayers, inspired by Acts 4:31.
- • Example: Patrick is calling a “Altars Against Altars” Prayer Quake in October, calling for personal and communal fire through the Holy Spirit.
- Finally, Prayer Mobilisation: Calling and teaching those in the wider community (inside or outside the church) to gather and pray.
Prayers Focused on Movement Goals
1. Spiritual Breakthroughs: For those being discipled and their communities.
2. Open Hearts: Praying for access to the people and places God has prepared for the Gospel.
3. Transformation of minds: Asking God to empower us to see change and transformation through His Word and Spirit.
4. More Disciple-Making Leaders: Inviting others to witness and participate in God’s transformative work.
The Power of Modeling Prayer
Patrick and Dave emphasise teaching prayer through example, saying, “The heart of discipleship is to model prayer.”
Encouragement for the West
Patrick shares from 1 John 5:14-15, reminding listeners to have confidence in God hearing our prayers and answering us when we pray according to his will. We know DMM is God’s will. He explains how upper room prayer unlocks God’s fire and empowerment:
- Luke 10:19: “Behold, I give unto you power…”
- Luke 24:49 “Do not leave Jerusalem”
- Acts 1:8 “…you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you.”
Final Words
Patrick challenges listeners:
“God never calls us without backing us up. His backing comes through prayer. Mobilise people, create prayer hubs, and make prayer attractive. When you depend on God in prayer, you will never be disappointed.”
This episode is a compelling reminder of the transformative power of prayer in disciple-making movements. Prayer is paramount, and prayer is powerful.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 32:37 — 11.9MB)
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