The Preeminence of Christ in Prayer and Discipleship

Preeminence of Christ in Prayer and Disciple-Making

The Scriptures make it clear that Christ’s preeminence is the cornerstone of our faith, life, and mission. As Colossians 1:18 (ESV) declares, “And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.” This truth should be the foundation of our prayer lives and our calling to make disciples, guiding us as we seek God’s will for our lives, our communities, and our world.

The Call to Yield to Christ’s Love in Disciple-Making

In recognising that Jesus is Lord, we are reminded of our need to yield to His love and authority in every aspect of our lives, including our mission to make disciples of all nations. Tim Keller once said, “To pray is to accept that we are, and always will be, wholly dependent on God for everything.” When we pray with this mindset, our prayers become an act of surrender, aligning ourselves with Christ’s love and purpose, which is to go and make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20).

Confident in Prayer and Disciple-Making Because Jesus is Here

Jesus is here, and His presence should give us confidence not only in prayer but also in our efforts to disciple others. As Matthew 18:20 (ESV) reminds us, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” The awareness of Christ’s presence empowers us to pray boldly and disciple others faithfully, knowing that He is listening, guiding, and empowering our efforts. Pete Greig, founder of the 24-7 Prayer Movement, captures this well: “Prayer is not so much about convincing God to do what we want Him to do as it is about aligning ourselves with what He is already doing.” This alignment includes joining Him in His mission to make disciples of all nations.

Walking in the Good News of Jesus Through Disciple-Making

Jesus is good news, and our response should be to walk in His presence, speak words of reconciliation, and perform works that bring justice—all of which are central to making disciples. Francis Chan echoes this call, saying, “Our greatest fear should not be of failure but of succeeding at things in life that don’t really matter.” Prayer and disciple-making help us to focus on what truly matters—proclaiming the gospel, living out the values of the Kingdom of God, and teaching others to do the same.

The House of Prayer for All Nations and Disciple-Making

Jesus declared, “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations” (Mark 11:17, ESV), highlighting the global scope of God’s invitation to prayer and the disciple-making mandate. Roy Godwin, a leader in the modern prayer movement, emphasises the importance of this, stating, “Prayer opens the door to the impossible; it ignites faith and empowers action.” As we seek God’s strength and presence, as urged in Psalm 105:4 and Psalm 27:8, we are reminded that prayer is not just about individual needs but about God’s greater purpose for the world—to disciple all nations.

The Role of Prayer in God’s Mission to Make Disciples

When we pray, our focus should be on what is on God’s heart—His glory among the nations, justice for the oppressed, and peace in our communities. These are all integral to the mission of making disciples. As Mark Sayers notes, “Revival is what happens when the Holy Spirit does in a moment what structures and strategies take years to achieve.” Prayer and disciple-making together position us to be part of God’s work in bringing revival, awakening, and the growth of His Kingdom across the world.

Questions and Answers on the Power of Prayer and Disciple-Making

Why should Australia pray together?

Australia should pray together because corporate prayer unites us under Christ’s Lordship, enabling us to participate in God’s mission of disciple-making. As Ed Silvoso puts it, “Prayer is not just preparation for the battle; it is the battle.” When we pray together, we join in spiritual warfare, standing against the forces that seek to divide and destroy, and we prepare ourselves to disciple our nation and the nations.

When should Australia pray together?

We should pray together consistently, making prayer a daily practice that fuels our disciple-making efforts. Andrew Murray said, “The man who mobilizes the Christian church to pray will make the greatest contribution to world evangelization in history.” Daily prayer is essential to keeping our hearts aligned with God’s purposes, including the Great Commission.

How should Australia pray together?

We should pray with humility, unity, and expectation, knowing that our prayers are vital in the disciple-making mission. J. John, a well-known evangelist, encourages us to “Pray as though everything depends on God. Work as though everything depends on you.” This attitude helps us to balance dependence on God with our responsibility to act in making disciples.

Where should Australia pray together?

Everywhere—from homes to churches, public spaces to workplaces. Brian Pickering, National Coordinator of the Australian Prayer Network, reminds us that “Prayer is the foundation on which the Christian life and the Church are built.” As such, prayer should permeate every area of our lives and communities, and our disciple-making efforts should extend into every part of society.

Who should pray in Australia?

Everyone. As E.M. Bounds wrote, “The Church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better men.” Prayer and disciple-making are the responsibilities of every believer, from the youngest to the oldest, across every denomination and community. Every believer is called to pray and to make disciples.

What happens when leaders pray together?

When leaders pray together, they seek divine wisdom and align their decisions with God’s will, particularly in leading disciple-making initiatives. Alan Hirsch notes, “Leadership is not about being in charge. It’s about taking care of those in your charge.” Prayer enables leaders to care well for those they lead by relying on God’s guidance, and to inspire others to join in the mission of making disciples.

What happens when nations pray together and seek His face?

When nations pray together and seek God’s face, revival and awakening become possible, leading to a movement of disciples making disciples. Rich Robertson says, “A praying church is a powerful church.” As nations unite in prayer, God’s Spirit moves powerfully, leading to repentance, renewal, and the multiplication of disciples across the world.