A Few Assumptions

A Few Assumptions

This manual is based upon a few underlying assumptions.

• We assume that all of our work toward movement is fairly pointless unless God moves. Therefore, we need to pray, plan, and act is if everything depends on God moving - because it actually does. (Philippians 3:3)
• We assume that we cannot outsource prayer. Every movement practitioner needs to be effective at prayer mobilization, but we can only effectively bring others into things which we ourselves are already praying. Therefore we must focus as much or more on our own life of prayer and intercession, as well as that of our team, as we do on mobilizing others to pray. Personal and team prayer are the foundations for effective prayer mobilization. Further, abiding with Jesus & mobilizing prayer are crucial at all stages of movement work.
• We assume that prayer holds equal weight with the ministry of the Word in the lives of God's people (Acts 6:4). Ministry of the Word (whether it be evangelism, discipleship, church formation, leadership development, or something else) may be easier, more tangible, more immediately visible or gratifying, but relational interaction with God (being with God in his world) is the foundation of everything we are called to do, and so deserves our time and attention just as much as our other ministry pursuits.
• We assume that prayer requires perseverance. Though we may be praying according to God's will, he may delay answers to our prayers for his purposes - but this does not mean that we are to stop asking. Perseverance in prayer is crucial to seeing the kingdom of God come.
• We assume that most users of these resources are focused on working toward generational, multiplying movements in a cross-cultural context, or praying in support of such work. Which methodology a person uses to achieve that end is secondary, in that all resources can be adjusted for use by practitioners of DMM, T4T, ASAP, etc. Although this is our primary audience, we welcome all who seek to benefit from what they find here!
• We assume that teams will almost always be in multiple stages of the work at once, and that progress toward movement is rarely linear. For the purposes of organization, however, this manual will be broken down according to the numbered stages shown in the following section.
• Lastly, we assume that we don’t know everything about movements, prayer, or intercession! These resources were gathered or created out of need and desperation by people who found themselves in over their heads. We are beginners in this journey, and very open to input and help.