Extraordinary Prayer: A Catalyst for School Transformation
Mike Epp | ACSI Senior Vice President, Global
In 2008, I arrived in Nigeria to meet a group of Christian leaders whose faith and perseverance inspired me. For 20 years, they had been praying and fasting, seeking divine guidance for a sizeable transformation in their nation. Amidst the challenges of corruption, poverty, and tribalism, these leaders experienced an epiphany: Christian education, executed with excellence, could raise a generation capable of altering the course of their nation’s future.
The prayer life of these saints demonstrated their unwavering commitment to seeking God with all their hearts, reflecting a belief that God WILL respond. This conviction aligns with the research in Lead with Prayer, where the authors note that something historic is unfolding within the global Church. “It’s happening in our lifetimes: a worldwide revival or reformation on a scale not seen since the earliest days of the Church” (Skoog, Greer, & Doolittle, p. xxviii). Observations from the global work of ACSI would support the assertion that the Christian schooling movement is integral to this new reformation.
The authors describe what the key is to the effectiveness of the leaders of this movement, “To the person, without exception – is extraordinary prayer. Their leadership secret isn’t a ‘leadership practice’ at all: It’s a prayer life” (Skoog, Greer, & Doolittle, p. xix).
Extraordinary prayer is essential for those seeking a God-shaped transformation within their schools. What does that look like to you right now? Perhaps it begins with deepening your prayer life and communion with God – an indispensable first step. It might also involve leading your staff, students, and community in intentional and extraordinary prayer practices. Alternatively, it could mean identifying individuals with vibrant prayer lives and empowering them to spearhead a prayer initiative in your school.
The story of Nigeria’s prayerful leaders and countless stories of schools experiencing supernatural change illustrate a powerful truth: prayer is both the seed and the sustenance of transformation. Whether addressing school crises, societal challenges, or personal spiritual growth, extraordinary prayer is the catalyst for the boundless possibilities of God’s response.
“Be unceasing and persistent in prayer” (I Thessalonians 5:17 AMP)
Sources:
- Skoog, Ryan, Peter Greer, and Cameron Doolittle. (2024) Lead with Prayer: The Spiritual Habits of World-Changing Leaders.