By Dennis Conner

Having been involved in all levels of the sports world for 50 years I found that there is clearly one “common thread” evident in all successful teams: each had a “game plan” prior to going on the field or court!

Today my wife and I serve as “prayer coaches”—partnering with pastors and church prayer leaders to help them build a “house of prayer” (Mt. 21:13) in their church. In this role, I see the importance of game plans.  Church’s whose prayer ministry has a strategy succeed more and struggle less than those who do not. Frequently those that don’t have one will explain that they are choosing to “let the Spirit lead” instead of being bound to a planned-out strategy. But I wonder if that is the policy in all their ministries: 1) Children/Youth, 2) Sunday School/Discipleship, 4) Music/Worship, etc.

As a general rule, the church that has developed a game plan for its prayer ministry—like Brooklyn Tabernacle in New York—and is intentional in communicating and following it, will see a much greater awareness of God’s presence, power, and blessing among its people and ministries.

An intentional prayer strategy will accomplish for a church’s prayer team the same thing it does for any athletic team: FOCUS.

1. Fervency.  Players on a successful team know their roles and play their hearts out when utilized. The degree of commitment and enthusiasm for prayer is greatly increased when people have an understanding of the importance of their position on the team!
   
2. Objective. Just as every sports team can easily visualize its objective, our goal—to be a house of prayer—needs to be the plumbline. Everything we plan should be related toward reaching that goal.
   
3. Clarity. Just as good communication makes teams better, the opportunity for success is greatly enhanced when everyone understands the purpose for each prayer ministry, objective, etc.
   
4. Unity. The common response of every athletic team who has just won a major championship is always very similar: “our team was so close to one another all season.” Having a God-sought game plan for your church’s prayer ministry, will enable your people to bond in corporate prayer opportunities like never before, which ensures God’s blessing according to: Ps. 133:1, Eccl. 4:9-12, Mt. 18:19.
   
5. Sight. In athletics, a clear goal and a game plan on how to achieve the goal  gives the athletes confidence to succeed. Likewise, when strategies are well planned out, and everyone can see where the church is going with prayer success is inevitable. Why? You can analyze how things are going, tweak what is working or not working, and stay on track.

Don’t delay gathering your pastor and church leaders today—to seek God for His prayer ministry strategy for your church. It will provide the much needed “focus” to take your church to a whole new dimension . . . on its way to fulfilling Jesus’ declared desire for it to be a “house of prayer.”

--Dennis Conner is the co-founder Called to Serve and along with his wife, Betty Jo, serves as the Southwest Regional Representative for the Church Prayer Leaders Network. You can contact him at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .