ACCTS staff members are currently participating on Pray and Plan teams for the Association of Military Christian Fellowships (AMCF) World Conference to be held in Brazil in 2024, an AMCF Interaction program, and the development of training in Ethics for military Christians around the world. The AMCF Reference Handbook notes that that the Pray and Plan Process helps discern God’s plans for ministry. Here’s more about this important ministry tool as provided in the Handbook.
The Pray and Plan Process is grounded in scripture:
· “For where two or three have gathered together in my name, there I am in their midst.” (Matthew 18:20)
· “But when He, the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.” (John 16:13)
· “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5)
· “For I know the plans that I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
When God indicates a special need to us, either as individuals or a group and we are required to organize some special work for Him - then we need to find out how He wants us to do it. At the basis of all this is communication with God through Prayer.
The following passage provides a biblical example of the Pray and Plan process:
“1In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. 2While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ’Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ So, after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.’” (Acts 13:1-3)
After Jesus had ascended into Heaven the disciples frequently united in prayer – and what an effect it had on their ministry! The scriptures bear out the effectiveness of united and focused prayer.
Pray and Plan teams are formed to address clear needs or areas of concern that God has identified to a group. The Pray and Plan team forms the central planning committee, and enlists supporting groups as needed to provide as wide prayer support as possible. Each team has a leader and members with knowledge of the situation. Sub-groups may be formed to address specific elements of the plan.
DISCERNING THE PLAN
The Lord can and will reveal His perfect plan to any group of believing Christians if they are willing to offer heartfelt prayer and praise, and then to enter into expectant, dependent planning. What is God's purpose? What are the relevant factors likely to affect the planning of the activity. What is God’s plan to meet the need? The pray and plan process may take weeks or even years for the team to fully understand God’s plan for an event, but when consensus is achieved, God’s will has been revealed. There is no undertaking which is beyond a properly prepared Pray and Plan team - only a lack of faith can limit the full potential of the Holy Spirit at work.
Pray that the Pray and Plan teams now working on the 2024 AMCF World Conference, AMCF Interaction, and AMCF Ethics Training will rightly divide the word of truth, and clearly discern God’s plans for these events.
