God does the impossible when we pray.
We believe that He challenges and transforms us through prayer. And through prayer, God brings transformation to the lives of others.
This is why we integrate prayer and intercessory support into our training efforts. When a new discipleship-mission training program begins, the director and the supporting churches are encouraged to establish a team of intercessors. This group is committed to pray for the training program, leaders, and the disciple-makers who are sent out. Intercessors and the ministry of prayer are essential for the spiritual battles faced by the trainers and disciple-makers.
Philippe directs discipleship-mission training programs in Tanzania. He started with 25 participants and his wife was also part of that first group. Now she pastors one of the churches planted during the training outreach!
Since then, Philippe and his church network have added leadership training, equipping church planters to be effective in leading the new churches. They developed a small farm and a cyber-café—thanks to Global Disciples’ small business training—and that income provides financial support for the ongoing programs.
They also have an active team of intercessors! It started with ten intercessors during the initial training. But Philippe reported, “Our intercessors have continued to increase. They meet each Saturday, and they host ongoing prayer each day at the church.”
These prayer warriors take on the spiritual forces they encounter with a passion. Philippe shared one of their experiences.
“Some witches tried to test the power of our God,” he said. “A lady came to our church, crying and terrified. She told the intercessors that when she had washed her face, she poured out the water and it turned to blood as it flowed to the ground. She tried again, and again the water turned to blood as she poured it out.”
Philippe described the crippling fear of the villagers. They told the intercessors that if their water would stop turning to blood, they would believe in Jesus.
So, the intercessors went to pray in this community. And after a time, when the people poured out water on the ground, the springs of blood stopped. “The devil was defeated,” Philippe rejoiced, “and as a result, many people believed in Jesus, and the church is growing.”
Never underestimate what God will do when His people pray. Or how significant your role is when you intercede for other people, and God’s work, through prayer. We absolutely need His people to carry on the ministry of intercession, no matter where we are in the world.
Prayer and intercession are great ways to get involved with Global Disciples. Just sign up for our monthly prayer calendar, or contact us about participating with our intercessors.