Praying Together For Church Renewal

Church renewal is fueled by, sustained by, and powered by prayer. As theologian Karl Barth said, “to clasp the hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against the disorder of the world.” Many of our neighborhoods are in disarray, and all of them are marked by sin and brokenness. What would happen if neighborhood church leaders came together to “clasp the hands in prayer”?

Nothing stirs renewal and revival like prayer. We see numerous examples in Scripture and in church history of God’s people coming together to humble themselves, seek his face, and pray for renewal.
Jesus loves when his church unites in prayer (John 17:21). Something mysterious and powerful happens when churches across denominational and ethnic lines come together to pray for their cities.

Five Keys To United Prayer in your Community

Commitment

Pastors in my neighborhood have been praying together for more than 30 years, following a murder in the parking lot of one of our churches that served as a wakeup call. God has answered our prayers in amazing ways. Churches are growing, new ministries are being started, and we are seeing renewal.
We are committed to continue this spiritual practice in the years and decades ahead. I would simply encourage you to pick a time, invite a friend, go to God in prayer, and never give up!

Unity

There’s no sense of competition between our churches and ministries — only collaboration. In fact, I know pastors within our group that financially support the other churches and ministries.
For the past 20+ years, I have ministered in places where Christians are a minority. This has helped us fight against competition, as there is such a huge portion of our city that we need to reach. But no matter where you are, pray with and for the churches around you. Pray that they will be renewed. This will kill your fleshly competitive streak toward other churches.

Transparency

Be open, honest, and transparent in sharing prayer concerns for yourself, your church, and your neighbors. I believe the Holy Spirit honors this. It deepens relationships and helps you see that the other pastors are in a spiritual battle alongside you.
We are in a time of intense change and transition as a culture. We face many challenges as we work toward renewal. Why not bring your whole vulnerable, transparent self to the Lord and watch him move?

Specificity

Pray specific prayers. What are you asking God to do? What will renewal look like at your church? What prodigals are you praying will come home? How many people are you praying will get baptized this year?
One of the pastors that prays with us, Joshua al-Jaouni, faced a financial crisis at the end of 2024. A grant his ministry depended on was not renewed. He brought his request to our Wednesday prayer meeting, and we prayed specifically for the amount that needed to be raised. On Dec. 31, the need was met, and we rejoiced together!

Repentance

People need Jesus. Pastors, leaders, elders, neighbors, people of all stripes — we need Christ and his renewing power in our lives! When we come with humility to the Lord, truly seeing our dependance on him, we are changed. We are transformed when our prayers are answered right away — and even when they are not.
How many renewal movements have been started when God’s people have come together in true repentance and humility to confess sin, receive his amazing grace, and be restored? It’s inspiring to look back, but it is equally inspiring to look forward in faith, as Habakkuk did when he prayed: “Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy” (Hab 3:2).

It would be amazing to see churches go to prayer as a first response instead of a last resort. Sometimes that involves breaking decades-long patterns. It certainly involves pushing back against the darkness and the forces of evil that want to keep us from a enjoying a thriving relationship with Christ. It is a big part of our calling as pastors, elders, and church leaders to model this well and to lead our congregations towards prayerful renewal (Acts 6:4)!