Understanding Prayer as a Strategy by Minette Drumwright & Charlotte Ertelt

Here are some of the basics in our understandings of employing prayer as a strategy:

1. Prayer as a strategy opens the pray-er to God’s direction as to how, what, and for whom to pray. We are not to presume to set God’s priorities, but to seek to discern what He wants to happen, and then to pray for that to take place. We seek to attune our hearts to His heart’s desire, and we pray for the fulfillment of His heart’s desire: which is that all the peoples of all the earth will have opportunity to know and love His Son, Jesus Christ. Prayer as a strategy begins by seeking God’s will.

2. God accomplishes His purposes in this world in response to the prayers of His people. This is His strategy: He releases His power as His people pray. He combines our specific prayers with His power to make a difference in the flow of the gospel into remote and difficult places of the world, as well as those peoples and places close at hand. He graciously gives us this essential role of partnership with Him.

3. Prayer as strategy takes the pray-er into realms of spiritual warfare, for prayer is the strategy that breaks the power of Satan and his darkness. He is the enemy, seeking to blind, discourage and destroy. Breaking his hold is a supernatural task. The only way to do so is through spiritual battle, earnest, persistent, extraordinary prayer. Paul describes the Christian’s armor in Ephesians 6:13-17, and then says, “Pray! Pray at all times in the Spirit.” Strategic prayer is a battle that is fought, spiritual armor in place, on our knees.

4. Prayer is the only strategy that can reach into all nations and all peoples in this world. Countries and peoples can and do close themselves to other Christian strategies, but they cannot close themselves to prayer and to the power of the Holy Spirit. Because of local restrictions in some lands and among some peoples, prayer is the only strategy that can be employed. Prayer must be the foremost strategy, also, in those lands where doors are open and witness unrestricted. Additionally, prayer is the strategy that makes other strategies effective and fruitful.

5. Prayer is the strategy in which every believer can participate; every Christian of every age, every circumstance and every race. Every believer cannot make a financial difference in the spread of the gospel. Every Christian cannot go to other lands to introduce people to Jesus. Through prayer, however, every believer can have significant impact for Christ in every nation.

6. Prayer as a strategy brings forth laborers into the mission field. When God’s people pray His voice is heard and obeyed. God can speak to those for whom prayer is lifted. He may call laborers to that harvest as they pray.

7. Prayer as a strategy is the most crucial work we do. Oswald Chambers said, “Prayer does not just fit us for the greater work. Prayer is the greater work.” Prayer is also hard work. Prayer requires our time, energy, attention, and self discipline. It demands that we overcome our spiritual inertia. Prayer is work, but it reaps spiritual rewards for the kingdom!