A prayer is an act of spiritual expression which brings us into conformity to the very nature and purpose of God. The disciples were not to think of their own convenience as their foremost expression in prayer, but the full and quick realization of the effective rule of God on earth in the hearts of men.
The City of Refuge Christian Center believes that Jesus exhorted us to pray that His will be done on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10). One aspect of God’s kingdom being expressed on earth is through His Word and through prayer. We believe this is vital to a fruitful and successful life of the believer. “We will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the Word” (Acts 6:4).
In the New Testament the saints were consistently engaging in prayer and in the Word of God. God’s kingdom work is accomplished in a place of prayer and outside of it: three dimensions of missions work, continual prayer, mercy deeds, and sharing the gospel. They all work together hand and hand. Prayer causes the work of outreach to effectively reach the lost and needy and a dying world
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”
Servanthood requires the right attitudes and motivations. Playing the part eventually shows itself. Leaders must serve from the inside out. Servanthood begins in the heart.
“A leader’s attitude” should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Phil. 2:5-8).
A leader needs a Christ-like attitude to be a servant. Jesus became God in the flesh so He could serve us. “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve” (Matt. 20:28).
Leaders are there to serve people by building them up, expressing appreciation and encouragement. It’s not about manipulating them with praise to gain their cooperation but rather genuinely seeking to edify others in all they say and do. A leader is there to serve all types of people, even the unlovable, critical, backstabbers, etc. It’s not about what makes them feel good or affirmed but rather loving as Christ served. How far are you willing to go in serving the people in your sphere of influence?