A National Rhythm of Prayer

The National Prayer Accord is patterned after a rhythm of prayer established by Jonathan Edwards and churches in the colonies prior to the First Great Awakening in the United States. In more recent days, many prayer and revival ministries are encouraging believers and churches to adopt this ongoing rhythm of prayer in their own churches.

It is presented here as a challenge for you to consider how you or your church can join with the hundreds of thousands of believers and thousands of churches who are currently a part of this rhythm.

The National Prayer Accord

In recognition of:

• Our absolute dependence on God
• The moral and spiritual challenges facing our nation
• Our national need for repentance and divine intervention
• The covenants of prayer that God has answered throughout history
• Our great hope for a general awakening to the lordship of Christ, the unity of His Body, and the sovereignty of His Kingdom

We strongly urge all churches and followers of Jesus in America to unite in seeking the face of God through prayer and fasting, persistently asking our Father to send revival to the Church and spiritual awakening to our nation so that Christ’s Great Commission might be fulfilled worldwide in our generation.

This voluntary agreement in prayer seems “good to the Holy Spirit and to us” (Acts 15:28) in light of the promise of Jesus in Matthew 18:19 and the unity for which Jesus prayed in John 17. This prayer accord presupposes a spirit of freedom to adjust its component parts as local Christians see need.

Though many are seeking God more often than this prayer accord outlines, calling millions of others around focused times of prayer is an urgent need.

We resolve to promote as an ongoing “Rhythm of Prayer” . . . 

Weekly . . . .  In private or small group prayer, which lends itself to a focus on the regular preaching and teaching of God’s Word, asking the Holy Spirit to light the fires of revival by anointing our preachers and teachers each week.

Monthly . . . . In local ministry prayer gatherings, such as a mid-week prayer meeting, a Bible study class, a Sunday evening service, a home group, or one meeting of a college campus group, etc. for the exclusive purpose of prayer for revival.

Quarterly . . . . In prayer gatherings among local ministries and groups, uniting churches in a community, college ministries in the area, businessmen’s groups, or radio listeners for an evening meeting, a luncheon, or a segment of airtime focusing on prayer for the community or region.

Annually . . . . In prayer meetings designed to unite Christians nationally, such as The National Day of Prayer, the first Thursday of May, and Cry Out America, September 11 each year—occasions that call millions of people to pray together.

Downstream in America we find the symptoms and signs of church irrelevance, fragmented relationships, cultural decay, moral decline, and love growing cold, but Upstream from such symptoms, we find hope in united prevailing prayer.

• “. . . but I have prayed for you and when you are restored strengthen others” (Luke 22:32).As certainly as Jesus prayed for Peter, He prays for us!
• “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes forever” (Hebrews 13:8).
• “He always lives to make intercession” (Hebrews 7:25).
• “Christ Jesus is He . . . who also intercedes for us” (Romans 8:33).

We resolve to promote as “Prayer Goals” the outpouring of God’s Spirit for . . .

The Revival of the Church as Evidenced by the Indicators of Awakening in the Church:

1. Increasing testimony of the manifest presence of God.
2. Increased conversions and baptisms.
3. Amplified participation in corporate as well as individual prayer, fasting, and other spiritual disciplines leading to more effective discipleship.
4. A decrease in divorces and renewed commitment to marriage between a man and a woman in covenant relationship as God intends.
5. Imparting faith to children and youth as parents are equipped by the church to become primary disciplers of their children.
6. Among churches, a passionate pursuit for the well-being of their cities through the planting of new congregations, benevolent ministries, practical service, and focused evangelism.
7. Commitment to radical generosity as evidenced by compassion ministries and global missions.
8. Improved health among ministers as evidenced by their joy, decreased resignations, healthy loving relationships within their families, and an increased response among young people called to the ministry.
9. Christians involved in bold witness accompanied by miracles, dramatic conversions, and Holy Spirit empowered victories over evil.
10. Heightened expressions of love and unity among all believers, as demonstrated by the unity of pastors and leaders.

The Advancement of the Kingdom as Evidenced by These Indicators of Awakening in the Culture:

1. Breakdowns of racial, social and status barriers as Christ’s church celebrates together—Jesus!
2. A restoration of morality, ethical foundations and accountability among leaders of church and government, business and politics.
3. A transformation of society through the restoration of Christ’s influence in the arts, media, and communications.
4. Increased care for the hungry and homeless, the most vulnerable and needy.
5. Young adults, students, and children embracing the claims and lifestyle of Christ through the witness of peers who live and love as Jesus.
6. Community and national leaders seeking out the church as an answer to society’s problems.
7. Increased care for children as “gifts from the Lord” as the gospel addresses abortion, adoption, foster care, and child well-being.
8. Righteous relations between men and women: decrease in divorce rates, cohabitation, same-sex relations, sexual abuse, sexual trafficking, out of wedlock children, and STDs.
9. An awakening to the “fear of the Lord” rather than the approval of people, thus restoring integrity and credibility.
10. Neighborhood transformation and an accompanying decrease of social ills through increased expressions of “loving your neighbor” in service, compassion, and unity.

–Developed by America’s National Prayer Committee in partnership with OneCry and the Awakening America Alliance.