Prayer is an important aspect of every Christian and, more importantly, every Deacon. It is labouring together with God in his business on earth to establish his will, and a means of fellowshipping with God.
It is a means of relating to God and what every child of God should look forward to. It’s a pity today that we speak more of prayer, but we do less of it.
Even in our little world, there are several wrong approaches, motives and practices. Jesus was clear in the text, such as “Men ought to pray, Men ought to pray always; Men ought not to faint.”
Asdeaconsn, we need to brace up in praying constantly, effectively, correctly and with the right motives, so we and the work of god’s kingdom can prosper in our times and our hands.
The Need for This Topic in Times Like These
This discussion becomes necessary in times like this, when the fire of sincere, meaningful and effective prayers is being replaced with mere activities and empty noise. And on many occasions, those noises and acrobatics are not with the correct mindset.
Despite the daily increase of Prayer Mountains and programs, both day and night, the positive effects of these activities are yet to be seen. Thus, everyone called into the ministry of deaconate should not see prayer and praying as an option but a necessity. The calling of a deacon is spiritual, and the assignment must be done spiritually.
Deacons and Their Roles in the Church (Acts 6 1)
The word deacon, which appears at least 29 times in the New Testament, designates an appointed member of the local church who assists by serving other members and meeting material needs.
After the manifestation of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, the church started growing as fast as possible. Some believers, such as widows and widowers, have been neglected in the ministry of daily distribution of food, alms and gifts.
When the church was expanding, there were logistical challenges arising at meetings just because of the fellowship size. The apostles took the step to appoint seven leaders to undertake the physical and administrative needs of the members, for the care of the spiritual needs of the church.
The believers began to multiply rapidly, nd there were discontented rumblings. “There are Greek-speaking believers who complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers,” saying:
“All the apostles spend their time teaching the word of God, and not running a food programme. Seven men were selected and respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. Give them this responsibility. Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.” (Acts 6:1-4, NLT)
Besides the initial qualities given by the Apostles, Paul also expounded further on the qualities of a deacon in 1 Timothy 3:8-13.
In line with the practices of the early church, the Baptist denomination has traditionally followed the principles of the autonomy of the local church congregation, giving each church the ability to discern for itself the interpretation of the scripture.
The Assignment and Work of a Deacon
The office of the deacon is one of the oldest institutions of the Christian church. Its emergence, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles, shows that it was a product of both spiritual and organisational needs in the early church.
The office of a deacon has different functions in the diverse expressions of the Christian community globally.
However, the office is understood; a common thread that runs through is that deacons are part of the ministry team of a local church and thus constitute part of the leadership of the church, both spiritually and administratively.
The Spiritual Life of Deacon
Because of the position, roles and responsibilities of a Baptist deacon, having, living and maintaining a balanced spiritual life is of great value to every deacon, his family, the church and the world at large. So, every deacon needs to value, guard and invest towards his spiritual health as much as possible. Both in the secret and the open.
Why Must a Baptist Deacon Engage in Prayers?
A Baptist deacon holds a very important spiritual and sacred position in the church. It is funny to discover that many deacons only pray when there are problems or as a routine. No, as we have known as children that we must pray always, without season. Some of the reasons include, and are not limited to:
- The nature of their calling demands it: They are like a soldier, the watchman, and cannot afford to feign; hence, they need to always draw from the power source through prayer.
- The need for divine wisdom: A deacon has to maintain a meaningful and effective prayer life to call attention to divine wisdom from God. Human wisdom and calculation are limited. Read Proverbs 3:4.
- The risk of their duties: To ward off and overcome every attack of the enemy. The assignment involves visiting and praying for people of various needs and attacks. This is not done ordinarily. Read Ephesians 6:12.
- The need for authority: Prayers make them a man of authority. Read Matthew 7:28, 29
- Spiritual endowment: Prayer makes you a man of anointing. Read Exodus 24:8; 2 Corinthians 3 7
- Renewal of strength: To hear the voice of God and to know his mind in matters of life and ministry. Read Isaiah 40 31
- Supernatural Experience: It is a means of bringing down the hands of God. It also shows our dependency and reliance on God. The only source of clear directions in life. Read Proverbs 3 5-
What Should Be the Focus When the Deacon Prays?
The following should be the focus of deacons when they are praying.
- Yourself
- Your family
- The assignment is in your hands
- The Church pastor
- The church that ordained you
- The church members
What Should Deacon’s Prayer Life Be?
The following are better ways of what and how deacons’ prayer lives should be.
- Constant and consistent (Luke 18:1)
- Meaningful
- Scriptural (Matthew 69)
- Spiritual (Ephesians 6:8)
- In faith (Hebrews 11:6)
- Personal and collective (Matthew 6 6, Acts 6) 4
When Deacons Are Praying, What Next?
Prayer is entering into a relationship with God through a conversion experience. Personally, our relationship with God is strengthening in the place of prayer. As our earthly father desires to see our faces and hear our voices frequently, so does our heavenly father. When a deacon prays
- He experiences and enjoys God’s presence, peace and blessings.
- The church of God experiences peace.
- The will of God prevails.
- Souls are saved, and God’s kingdom is populated.
- The devil has no hidden place.
- There are revelations to him and the church through him.
- Evils are prevented earlier.
- Battles are won easily, and members are delivered.
- Unnecessary health challenges and early death are reduced among ministers.
- There is an ample increase in church membership.
- There is a great mission expansion and reasonable growth in the church.
- Unity is enhanced in the church and among the members.
- The church of God is attractive and healthier.
- Because of a peaceful and loving atmosphere, prayers are easily answered and goals presence is seen freely in the church.
- There is ministerial fulfilment for both the pastors and the deacons.
- He performs his duty with skillfulness.
When Deacons Refused to Pray
Failure to pray is failure in all areas of life. Some of the effects include the following:
- The deacon becomes blind, deaf and weak spiritually, and he is susceptible to attack.
- No spiritual growth and development
- Non-fulfilment and there will be ministerial boredom.
- The church is prone to attacks of various forms.
- The church becomes weak and has without positive effect
- Battles are lost easily.
- The church relies much on the wisdom of men, and without divine guidance.
The Qualifications of a Deacon That Will Pray Effectively
The following are invaluable qualifications expected of a deacon to pray.
- Genuine salvation, readiness to grow and brokenness
- Creating time to study and be filled with God’s word
- Living in holiness and lifting my holy hands (Psalm 24)
- Cultivation of meaningful quiet time (Mark 6:46)
- Practical humility in the place of prayer (Luke 18:10)
- Readiness to stand in the gap (Colossians 1:9)
- Ability and maturity to keep secrets (Matthew 17:90
- Readiness to wait upon God to receive and to obey (Isaiah 40:3)
- Backing the prayers with fasting, if need be. (Matthew 17:21)
- Spirit of possibilities, courage, consistency and strong faith (Hebrews 111:6
Challenges and Self-Evaluation to Brace Up
These are challenges for a deacon and ways a deacon can evaluate or grade himself/herself sincerely.
- Do I pray?
- What kind of prayers do I usually pray?
- How consistent am I in praying?
- Do I pray as a routine, as a necessity or in a relationship?
- How consistent is my private prayer life?
- What are the contents of my prayers?
- Are my prayers scriptural?
- How right is my heart with God as I pray?
- Am I growing in my prayer life?
- How can I improve my prayer life?
Conclusion/commitment
Today, there are a lot of prayer activities and exercises in our churches, without any tangible result, not because God is impotent, but because men are preventing him. So, every deacon must strive to pray, lifting holy hands.
The assignment in our hands requires our commitment to praying as Baptist Deacons. It is part of our calling and spiritual responsibilities. Read the similar post here.
