Manifesto Value: Prayer and Dependence on God
When the KC Underground launched in 2019, part of our formation was to adopt the Underground Manifesto created by the Tampa Underground. The Manifesto is comprised of eighteen values that reflect our theological convictions. These values bind us together as a diverse and creative network. This prayer guide will cover one of those values.
Read: Spend some time slowly reading and rereading this value:
Prayer and Dependence on God
We commit ourselves to live a life of prayer because we believe that only God can accomplish what He calls us to do and that God should receive the glory. For this reason, we believe the Church should be committed to night and day prayer for the world, the coming of the Kingdom, and a deeper revelation of God. Without prayer and dependence on God for all things, we are destined to either fail or become conceited in our success. We value constant prayer because we desire to know God, to deepen our understanding and revelation of His love for us and the world. We value prayer because we believe we are all called to the ministry of intercession, and we want to see His Kingdom come. We believe that can only happen if we ask the Lord of the harvest to send us and other laborers into the harvest field.
Retell: As a practice to embrace what you are reading, grab a journal and write the value out in your own words.
Read: Choose at least 3 - 5 of the following supporting passages and read through them.
Biblical Foundation
2 Chronicles 7:14, Ezra 8:23, Psalms 17:6, Psalms 91:1-2, Isaiah 26:9, Jeremiah 29:12, Matthew 6:9-13, Matthew 6:33, Matthew 9:38, Mark 1:35, Luke 11: 9-13, Luke 18:1,7, Acts 2:42, Acts 6:4, 2 Corinthians 3:5-6, Ephesians 6:18, Philippians 4:6, Colossians 4:2, I Thessalonians 5:17, 1 Timothy 2:1-2, Hebrews 5:7, James 5:13-16, 1 Peter 4:7, Jude 20
Consider: As you read and rewrote this value, what stood out to you the most? What did the Spirit highlight as you read the supporting passages from Scripture? What do you sense the Spirit is saying to you? Take a few minutes to journal your thoughts.
Pray: Now that you have had a few minutes to consider what the Spirit might be saying to you, turn these thoughts into prayers.
Perhaps it is a prayer of repentance: Jesus, I acknowledge my need for Your grace. Forgive me for the times I’ve leaned on my own understanding instead of trusting in You. Help me to walk in alignment with Your will, renewed by Your Spirit. I do not want to fail or become conceited in my own success. I want to rely deeply on you.
Perhaps it is a prayer of invitation: Holy Spirit, I invite you to prompt me over and over every day to return to you in prayer. I do not want to do all the speaking. I invite you to teach me how to hear your voice so that we might genuinely have a conversation. I invite You to be the foundation of all that I do. Shape my desires, my thoughts, and my actions to reflect Your love and grace. May Your will be done in me and through me. I surrender all to You and trust that You will lead me in Your perfect way.
Perhaps it is a prayer for revival and awakening: Father, I come before You with a deep longing for Your Spirit to move in this world. We are in need of a fresh outpouring of Your presence, a revival that awakens hearts, restores lives, and transforms communities. I pray for revival to start within me. Search my heart and renew my spirit to be fully dependent on you. Rekindle the fire of faith within Your people. Holy Spirit, breathe life into dry bones. Awaken those who are spiritually asleep and stir a longing in the hearts of the lost. Break chains of apathy, doubt, and fear, and replace them with faith, joy, and hope.
Each of these simple prayers can be a springboard into more. Use the thoughts you journaled above to help guide your prayers. Take some extra time today to pray for the microchurches across our network, that we will persevere in prayer without ceasing and hold an unwavering commitment to dependence on God as we continually learn to see where He’s already at work and join Him in that work.
Respond: If Jesus highlighted a particular way for you to respond in obedience to Him today in light of this value from the Manifesto, consider sharing this response with another disciple-maker.