The storm raged with the wind blowing the rain sideways, and lightning bolts thundered overhead. Yet, people came to the simple house hidden in the woods. More than 40 participants heard that they could meet God if they came. Although many had intentionally sought God for years through a variety of means, they still had not had that moment where their hearts were satisfied. Their consistent religious practices hadn’t helped. Unexpectedly, the host used a long-time Jewish tradition of blowing the shofar and singing a hymn followed by a simple prayer and silence. As the shofar sounded, the storm stopped only over the house. 

For about 30 minutes, people sat quietly, asking in their hearts for God to meet them. He did! No formal prayers spoken. Just individual hearts welcoming him. One man who had spent a lot of money traveling to many countries seeking Truth began to cry. Jesus stood in front of him and said, “I am he. I am Truth. Follow me.” Indescribable peace flooded him. 

The man sitting on the floor next to him was a strong, hardline follower of Islam. He saw someone similar, a man in white who said, “This is the Way. Walk in it.” The man in white began walking. Individually, with grateful, peaceful hearts, a roomful of men and women began their journey in Christ as they saw the face and felt the presence of Jesus. When the shofar stopped, the storm began again. Yet, the peace and joy in the hearts of new followers of Christ continued. 

Prayer is a golden thread woven into the very fabric of a disciple making movement in Southeast Asia. Remove it, and the cloth will unravel. Prayer is woven into many elements of the movement by many members. 

The dynamically growing Southeast Asia movement is connected by a set of agreed upon DMM and contextual values. Each field catalyst passes down the DNA of these values. Each field catalyst and their teams operate uniquely by their personality types, history, and settings. This value-based principle extends into the dimension of prayer. Everyone has their own style and flavor. 

How and when is this prayer thread woven in this movement? 

Below are a few examples from a variety of local regional teams and individuals, as well as people living in far off lands. 

Just seeking God—the heart’s first desire.

Before the sun comes to greet the day, several different movement leaders are in their quiet place just to meet God. No requests. No agenda. Not a scripture study. Just time to enjoy the pleasure of his presence in worship and waiting. Some use the Psalms or other Scripture to shape their time. Some listen to worship music. Others just sit in silence. Some bow their face to the ground. Others raise their hands. Then there are those who jump to their feet and dance before the Lord full of joy. No pattern. No formula. Hearts ready, minds focused, and spirits willing to take the time to seek the face of God (Prov 8:17; Jer 29:13). 

Theopolis fasts every Monday by himself. Every Friday, his wife and children join him in fasting. And now his leadership team joins the Friday fasts. 

Prayer is happening: 

• Prayer by visionary participants before field catalysts go to a new area. 
• Prayer for potential people of peace to arise and then for them to come to faith. 
• Prayer for those new contacts to grasp the truth of Jesus and become devoted, obedient, multiplying disciples of Christ. 
• Prayer in the regular Discovery Bible Study (DBS) groups. 

 

Prayer happens in counseling sessions.

Brad and his wife were doing marriage counseling via Zoom with a couple who lived a 12-hour drive from them. They were not making the breakthrough progress that was necessary for true change in the marriage. Brad stopped for private prayer. “Lord, what is the barrier here?” Silence on his end for a short while. Then, he was taken aback by the message that came, “Ask the man about (sensitive specific sexual issue).” Brad thought, “I don’t think or talk like that. How can I say those things?” Yet, he knew he had to ask. He did. The man didn’t refuse him or get mad. He only asked, “How did you know? Yes, that’s true.” After that moment, both the husband and wife confessed sexual sins. A couple of months later, Brad and his wife took the 12-hour drive to baptize the wife. The family is unified and sharing God’s love, forgiveness, and grace to many.

Prayer happens on the streets as an evangelistic outreach. Healing and freedom from demonic oppression are not uncommon.

Mary is thrilled how God healed her stage-4 breast cancer through direct prayer. Now every Friday night, she and a small prayer team go to the streets on a mission to find those who want healing prayer in the name of Jesus.

Prayer is used to release people from curses and demonic possession and lead them to repentance.

Michael has become a man known for overcoming the powers of darkness. People who have been unsuccessful in receiving freedom from curses or oppression come to him. He says that it is not his power that will overcome the controlling spirits. Through his faith in Isa Al Masih (Jesus the Messiah in Arabic), the evil spirits must submit. If the one coming for prayer wants to receive freedom in the name of Isa, Michael will pray.

Prayer by those who are face-to-face and have a long-term trust relationship.

Every morning, the East team meets for 30 minutes of prayer over the current ministry needs and activities. At another time, the Virtual Team meets together and prays over the specific new contacts that came through social media platforms. One of the North Coast teams has set up a monthly virtual prayer meeting. Every Wednesday morning, the women involved in the movement meet virtually to pray over the health of the field workers’ families and other urgent concerns. 

In another area of the country, a field team leader multiplies prayer groups in the same fashion as Discovery Groups multipy. He sends each established group weekly prayer updates. 

Another field leader mobilized grandmas. He did not overlook their great value in this area.

Prayer by local expat strategic and support team.

Every Friday morning, the expat strategic and support team meets to pray. They focus on the glory of the Lord through the scripture chosen for the day and pray for these truths throughout the movement before they specifically lift the concerns sent in by the field catalysts who are reaching throughout the Southeast Asia region and beyond. They focus on one field catalyst, ask God what his message for that person is, and record their prayers and send them to him/her.

Prayer by prayer warriors who will never set their feet in the country or meet the person on this earth.

Monthly, the long list of prayer requests, personal conversations, and meeting reports is condensed into a single sheet. This “Short List” is then mailed to members of a specific trusted prayer supporter list who cover the themes and items in prayer in their remote locations. 

Sometimes, the prayers are guided, sometimes spontaneous. At other times, the call is to simply wait in his presence. 

None of these prayer moments requires complicated technical forums. Maybe that will come later. These are basic methods that any movement can use anywhere with no “tools.” 

I used to see prayer as a single strand woven into the fabric of this movement every few inches. After the recent whole core team meeting retreat, I see it as a variety of patterns. Each one has its own unique design that reflects that sub-teams’ styles—vibrant, alive, and vital to the beauty of the cloth.

All these patterns of prayer draw out the beauty of our Lord through the power of Jesus’ name.