It is easy for pastors to fall into the rut of leading through their own strength  and wisdom. While a pastor might not sense the unsustainability of this in the short-term, the fatigue of trusting in one’s own strength will inevitably arise. What comes next is discouragement, guilt, and a lack of direction. 

But, this is not what God intends for the life of a ministry leader, and this is not the testimony of the early church leaders in Acts.

What one sees in Acts 6 is the picture of apostolic leadership deeply connected to God in prayer and study. Out of this connection came power, boldness, and perseverance. And, praise God, this same source of divine strength is available to pastors today. 

When a pastor prioritizes his prayer life, this is not a selfish decision that abdicates responsibility. Rather, it is the most responsible and empowering choice he can make as a limited vessel. The motivation to pray is not one founded on utility, though. The reason why a pastor prays is because of who God is. 

Consider Pastor Daniel Henderson’s beautiful reflection:

“Prayerlessness is my declaration of independence from God. The only enduring motive for prayer is that God is worthy to be sought. He is worthy, we are needy!”

Strategic Renewal’s Prayer Activation Guide is designed to help pastors recapture this relationship of worship and reliance on the God who commissioned them in the first place. 

Just as the temptation to fall into self-sustaining practices exists for ministry leaders, the same is true of any member of a congregation. For so many churchgoers, Sunday can feel detached from the rest of their day-to-day lives. Too many know from their own experience  how this dichotomy hinders intimacy with God. 

And, just like God does not desire for clergy to carry on the work of ministry absent of His power, so too the congregant is not meant to only attune him  or herself to the presence of God once a week. And this is not how the congregation operated in the book of Acts, when prayer was a daily feature of church life. 

Many congregants love God and care deeply for their pastors. This affection leads to them desiring to support their pastor however they can. The Prayer Activation Guide is a valuable resource for congregational leaders, as well. 

One of the key components of the guide is its emphasis on how ordinary acts of devotion are the way God often brings about powerful renewal. And yet, these simple acts of obedience always precede visible results. This is crucial, because it reinforces the personal love of God. 

Above anything else, God desires for His children to recognize and enjoy His presence. As this manifests itself in the life of a church, more and more people will notice and desire the same for themselves.

Once again, Pastor Daniel Henderson offers keen insight: 

“While we are all praying for the fruits of revival, we must develop the roots of revival. You don’t have fruits without the roots.”

The Prayer Guide is helping pastors, congregants, and churches develop these prayerful roots. In this way, prayer becomes our first resolve, not our last resort. 

Strategic Renewal exists to help Pastors, ministry leaders, and everyday disciples to enjoy the presence and power of God that is always available to us. The 6:4 Fellowship is a network of Pastors who have chosen accountability and encouragement as they seek to be Pastors who are Spirit-led and Scripture-fed. Likewise 6:3 Discipleship is a resource for disciples who desire to support their Pastors  rather than create more distractions for him. This network empowers disciples to grow cultures of prayer in their church. 

In this way, both Pastors and congregants can make 2026 a year where they lead praying churches for the benefit of their own souls and for the souls of their flocks.