Note: This part 4 of a series on prayer missionaries and Levites
When we talk about the unprecedented global prayer movement sweeping the earth, one of the stunning discoveries is that thousands are embracing the calling to be prayer missionaries. That is, believers are entering into full-time, vocational ministry with their primary focus being on ministering to God in worship-based prayer rooms and helping facilitate those prayer rooms. Mike Bickle and IHOP-KC have helped validate this calling in our day (they use the term “intercessory missionary”), but it’s not without precedent. Ever since David financed some of the Levites to be singers and musicians in the tent housing the Ark of the Covenant, there have been those set apart to worship and pray as their job.
Extravagant Worship and Prayer: The Core Value of the Prayer Movement
If we’re not careful, we will associate participation in the global prayer movement only with those who are called to be prayer missionaries. However, that is not the case. Jesus said His house — the Church — would be a house of prayer (Matthew 21:13). Extravagant worship and prayer is not a calling for specific people, it is the central activity of the end-time Church. We are all made to worship, pray and minister to God as our first ministry. This priestly function is what Graham Truscott called “Every Christian’s Ministry.”
The definition of extravagance is relative to one’s life circumstances. For a single mom, showing up to a weekly prayer meeting is likely to be an extravagant expression of devotion in the midst of a stressful and chaotic life. A 20-year old in college without a family could likely volunteer much more time; extravagance might mean going to the prayer room every day before and after classes. But regardless of schedule, responsibilities or life circumstances, all Christians should seek to love the Lord extravagantly — with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Extravagant love for God will produce an extravagant expression of praise and prayer to God and sacrificial ministry to the Church and the lost.
Every Christian should be gathering with others to worship and pray regularly. The global prayer movement is something in which we all participate. Our personal prayer times, praying with our families at home, small church prayer meetings, campus prayer/worship nights, houses of prayer — whatever the expression, in God’s eyes it is simply His people ministering to Him with worship and prayer. We should celebrate those in the body of Christ who have capacity to do a little bit of corporate prayer all the way up to those who can do it full-time — it’s all part of the glorious crescendo of incense rising in “every place” (Malachi 1:11).
And some are called to the full-time vocation of prayer. I do believe we need more prayer missionaries. I’m asking God for a million of them around the world. I’m writing this series of articles about full-time prayer in order to validate, empower and call forth prayer missionaries. It is a noble calling that needs the Church’s support, celebration and funding. Maybe you’re called to this yourself.
King David was Not a Levite
However, full-time ministry is not the epitome of Christian devotion. The most radical thing you can do is to obey God. It’s not more spiritual to be a prayer missionary rather than a barista. Most Christians will be working in the marketplace in rather normal jobs. Some will be stay-at-home parents. These are also noble callings that need the Church’s support. We can all be faithful to the Lord and fully committed to following Jesus in whatever arena God has called us to in our season of life.
In fact, King David was not a Levite. He was not in full time ministry. He worked for the government as the King and military leader in Israel. Yet he led the prayer movement of his generation. David can be a model for most Christians who recognize the value of the global prayer movement and prayer missionaries, but are not personally called to enter into the vocation of prayer.
How did David lead Israel’s prayer movement while working a full-time job? There were two primary things.
- David established personal rhythms of prayer such as “morning, noon and night” (Psalm 55:17) despite his busy schedule. He sustained intimacy with God as the “one thing” in his life (Psalm 27:4). As I said before, every Christian can offer their own expression of extravagant worship and prayer to the Lord. I encourage you to spend time in Scriptures, prayer and worship daily. Find a time, set a place and show up. David modeled extravagant worship despite his immense responsibilities.
- David empowered, equipped and financed the Levites who were called to the ministry of prayer and worship. He brought the prophetic musicians and singers who were on the fringe of the nation (in Samuel’s prophetic schools on the hills of Israel) and gave them a primary place at the tent of worship at the capital. He honored the Levites, provided facilities where they could sing (I Chronicles 15:1), built instruments for them (2 Chronicles 7:6, Amos 6:5), wrote songs for them (I Chronicles 16:7), gave personal offerings to them (I Chronicles 29:1-5) and took up offerings so that others could give (1 Chronicles 29:5-9).
I believe God is raising up “Davids” in the Church today. Not just those who love the Lord, minister to Him and write songs, but those who empower, resource and finance the modern-day “Levites”. If God is raising up a million prayer missionaries, then he’s raising up hundreds of millions of Christians to work in the marketplace and fund those prayer missionaries. He’s raising up church leaders and pastors who make space for the extravagant worship and prayer. Some churches will budget for staff who are doing prayer ministry — many of them will be musicians and singers.
Prayer rooms and prayer missionaries will be normalized as the David’s rise up to make space for the Levites. As extravagant expressions of worship and prayer are recognized more regularly, the prayer movement will no longer be seen as a fringe movement. The Bride will come to realize our calling to be a house of prayer, in the spirit of David’s tabernacle, where we host God’s presence and minister to His heart. And it takes all of us working together to become what God has called us to be.
Where are the David’s? And where are the Levites? God is calling you to step into your calling and take your place so that day and night worship and prayer can fill the earth.