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Youth Ministry
Building a Prayer Base

1. Why make prayer a priority?

Christ modeled the preemince of prayer. Take just one typical day in the life of Christ. Look up Mark 1:29-35. On this particular day, Jesus began by teaching at the synagogue, which was His custom (verse 29). Then in the afternoon, He healed Simon’s mother-in-law (verses 30-31). And that evening after sunset (8:00 or 9:00 pm), “The whole town gathered at the door.” Jesus preceeded to heal the sick and drive out demons from the possessed.

Needless to say, it was a draining day of ministry, probably not ending until one or two o’clock in the morning. Then notice what Jesus did in verse 35, “Very early in the morning, (notice: it doesn’t say the next morning... inferring that Christ was probably up past midnight), while it was still dark, (approx. 4 or 5 am), Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”

To me, the greatest argument for the need of making prayer a priority in our lives and ministries is that Jesus prayed. Think about that for just a minute. If Jesus, the very Son of God, had the need to commune with the Father to draw strength and direction for His daily affairs... how much more do we require such a priority of prayer?

2. Some students will only be reached through intentionalized efforts of prayer on their behalf.

In Mark 9:17-29, we have recorded for us the story of a father who brought his son to Jesus’ disciples for help. The boy was injuring himself regularly by the control of sin upon his life.

The boy’s father figured that since these men followed Christ they would be able to help this boy. (Not unlike the parent of students in our church ministries.) The disciples could not help this problem child. So, the father in desperation went to Christ personally and asked, “If you can do anything, take pity on us and help...”

Jesus proceeded to free the boy from the control of sin on his life. The disciples, who were unable to help the boy earlier, came to Jesus in private and asked Him for the secret to helping this particular young person. Jesus replied in verse 29, “This kind can come out only by prayer.”

What is a prayer base of support for our youth ministry?

“A group of people who commit themselves to regularly and aggressively pray for the individuals and events within our ministry.”

By our very definition you can see that we view a “prayer base” as a foundational part of building a healthy ministry. Our desire is to structure in a base of prayer support so that we will have people who are praying, specifically (not generically... “Lord, bless the youth group.”) and aggressively for individuals (students by name) and youth services and events on a consistent basis.

For more ideas on creative prayer strategies see the Sonlife Foundations Manual, pages 137 to 147.

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Written by Erich Liechty, a Youth Specialist with Sonlife Ministries.
Last modified October 31, 2000.

Ideabank is a quarterly newsletter published by the Board of Christian Education Ministries, a board of the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches.

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