In the 1960s, Major General Sir Robert and Lady Joyce Ewbank, of
the British Officers' Christian Union, introduced the "pray and plan" concept
to help individuals, families and goups discover God's purposes and directions.
The concept was anchored in Scripture, and it resonated with C.S. Lewis'
thought that, "In the process of being worshiped, God communicates His presence
to men."
For many years, the "pray and plan" process has helped guide the
OCF movement and its people. Some of its original impact and purpose has been
lost over time, however, and we need to take a fresh look at this concept. We
must ask God to re-emphasize for us its fundamental truths and allow Him to
breathe His Spirit anew into our hearts as we Pray and Obey. The new
name for this concept expresses our need to pray earnestly, discover God's
direction, and obey Him without hesitation.
It is our deep desire that all who read this brochure will be
moved to see, in a fresh and stirring way, their need to give first priority to
seeking God. Not merely knowledge about God - many have had that and have
fallen short of his will - but the vital experience of His person and
presence.
God's way is for us to come into His presence with clean hands
and pure hearts, asking Him to give us wisdom and discernment. Once we have
truly met with the living God, He'll reveal to us the next step He wants us to
take. (Read Acts 13:1-3).
Read this publication with this in mind, asking the Spirit of
God to guide and enlighten you. Apply its teachings not as a mechanical
process, but as a gracious invitation to enter into joyous fellowship with your
Lord. As you do, you may be assured that God has a marvelous adventure of faith
planned for you!
Pray, Discover and Obey has
three phases:
1) Pray, 2) Discover, and 3) Obey. A
specific time set aside for a Pray, Discover and Obey event will be most
effective when it is embedded in the ongoing prayer lives of the individuals
and groups who are conducting it.
Prayer and study of the Bible are the fundamental means God
uses to unite our hearts with His - and with His purposes. As we make decisions
for our individual lives, for our families, and for Christian ministry
activities, the Pray, Discover and Obey process helps us draw close to
God, discover His direction for us, and obey Him.
John White, after studying the book of Nehemiah, concluded the
following:
Prayer is where planning starts. Our first goal in prayer is
not to get a steamhead of power but to find out what God wants. Planning that
arises from and is the product of prayer is far superior to planning that is
merely "backed by" prayer. The plan that is God's plan, revealed by him to
those who wait on him, is a plan that cannot fail. If the plan is not of God in
the first place, no amount of prayer wil make it count for eternity. It may
"work". That is, it may achieve the goals the organizers are aiming at. But if
the goals are not God's goals, of what value is it that they were achieved
efficiently? - John White, Excellence in Leadership, pp. 40-41
The discussion that follows uses the example of an OCF
leadership team seeking God's direction for local ministries of outreach and
service. Remember, however, that this process also can be adapted for personal,
professional and family decision-making.
Pray - Desiring God's
Will
The purpose of this phase is to help each participant, and
the group as a whole, draw close to God.
You may wish to incorporate fasting into either the
preparation for a Pray, Discover and Obey event, during the event, or
both. A fast that is dedicated to the Lord will help all participants focus
more clearly on the Lord Jesus Christ and perceive His glory more readily.
Plan ahead to provide sufficient time for prayer as well as
for the discovery phase of your team meeting. The prayer phase should include
the following key elements: worship, thanksgiving, confession and repentance,
and petition.
- Worship may include singing and reading Scripture
passages of praise as well as silent and vocal praise and adoration. For
example, you can read and meditate on Psalm 105 and use it to proclaim God's
mighty deeds.
- Thanksgiving should be a time when participants feel
and express their gratefulness and joy for the presence of the Lord Jesus in
their hearts. It is an opportunity to share the godly joy Paul exhorts us to
express in Ephesians 5:18-21
- Confession and Repentance should include a time for
individuals to examine their hearts silently as well as a time for collective
repentance. Psalm 51 is one of many biblical passages that can be used for
personal meditation during this time.
- Petition may involve praying for others
(intercession) as well as requests for God to direct the future activities of
the ministry team. The group also should pray for the men and women who will be
the focus of future ministry efforts. Provide ample time to ask the Lord to
meet with you and to reveal the opportunities for ministry that He is calling
you to take advantage of.
Discover - Discerning God's
Will
The purpose of this phase is to discern what God wants you
to do in a specific situation and to prepare the plans necessary to accomplish
the mission.
In discovery, you seek to identify the opportunities to serve
God where you are and to understand how to carry out his assigned mission for
you within this set of opportunities.
The discovery phase addresses the following key elements:
- Identify the opportunities for outreach and service in
your military community.
- Ask God to show you which of these he wants you to
pursue.
- Search the Scriptures for mission confirmation and
direction. Use God's Word to test the validity of the goals you are setting
and the means you will use to reach those goals.
- Make plans to pursue the opportunity God gives you.
Here are two essential steps:
Identify Appropriate Actions and Assign
Responsibilities. Determine the major tasks that must be accomplished, and
the person or persons who will be responsible for each one.
Plan to Develop a Prayer Support Base. The intercessory
prayers of others for your efforts are as essential to victory in spiritual
warfare as the air interdiction, naval gunfire, and artillery fires are to
success on the physical battlefield.
Obey - Doing God's
Will
The purpose of this phase is to accomplish the mission God
has given you and to be open to His leading as you carry out your
plans.
Envision the Obedience phase as a pathway God has prepared for
you to follow so that you can persevere, overcome obstacles, and arrive at His
destination for you. Let's call it "The Pathway to Obedience" and outline it as
follows.
The Pathway to Obedience
- Continue to worship.
- Deal with hindrances early.
- Develop the prayer support base.
- Help others be obedient.
- Execute the rest of the plan
- Give thanks.
- Evaluate what you have done.
Conclusion
It's important that you continue to use the Pray, Discover
and Obey process. Use it regularly to keep your ministry subordinate to
God's desires for it. Use it for specific events you plan - such as new Bible
studies, prayer breakfasts, picnics, luncheons, local conferences, days or
half-days of prayer, etc.
You will also want to use the process in making family
decisions. And don't overlook its value as a means of making personal and
professional goals and plans.
Pray and Obey can be used anywhere God assigns you in
the armed forces. It will keep you in touch with your eternal
Commander-in-Chief. By His grace, it will help to bring revival and renewal in
your life and in the lives of those who serve Christ with you. God will use
your faithful obedience to His will to draw others into the kingdom of Jesus
Christ and to glorify the name of His Son. He is able!
