How can the church of God see church growth on every side? My message to you this morning is on interceding for church growth.
[Isaiah 66:5-14 KJV] “Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name’s sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.”
“A voice of noise from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the LORD that rendereth recompence to his enemies. Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child.”
“Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.”
“Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the LORD: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? saith thy God. Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her: that ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.”
“For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees. As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.”
“And when ye see this, your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb: and the hand of the LORD shall be known toward his servants, and his indignation toward his enemies.”
Church Growth is possible! We know that every church can and must grow and every church will grow. It is, however, the common knowledge is that many churches are not growing; some have plateaued and others are declining and dying. Today, we want to engage one of the key weapons to deal with barrenness in ministry and life: Prayer!
The Bible teaches that as soon as Zion travailed she brought forth. God is ready to build His church but one of the great keys to healing every church of barrenness is prayer. When the church arises to pray and to enquire of the Lord, He causes the church to give birth to her children. Prayer is the key to growth and I believe that as we pray the church will begin to grow.
God is able to silence the adversary and cause us to begin to win the lost and to grow on every side. This is the beginning of enlargement and I have no doubt that God will give us enlargement! I believe this is the time to strengthen the cords and pegs of the tent. This is the time to strengthen the systems and structures to support the growth that God is bringing.
Let us plan and arise to pray morning, noon and evening. This is the season of prayer and we must work hard. God bless you and may His face shine upon you as you arise to pray.
Stay blessed!
