NASHVILLE (BP) — Faith and sharing the gospel have long been pillars for brothers John and David Franklin, best shown on a brittle January Sunday in 1914.

The tale has been passed down. John and David’s great-grandparents lived near Center Point, Ala., where their great-grandfather owned the general store and grist mill. His wife was diagnosed with tuberculosis, and the doctor said a more suitable climate, such as Arizona, could add around four more years to her life.

He was for it. She was not. Instead, she told him they were to plant a church in Center Point. The town already had one, but it required a trek for folks like them over the mountain to get there. They stayed and built the church.

The first Sunday came on that cold January morning. The family heated rocks in the fireplace to place around their mother on the wagon ride. When the horses didn’t cooperate, the boys pushed while dad pulled.

They all made it to church that day. The next Sunday, she died while sitting in Sunday school.

“That story has set the standard in our family for generations,” said David.

You and y’all

John serves as associational mission strategist with the Christian County Baptist Association, based in Hopkinsville, Ky. David is in the same role with Bartow Baptist Association in Cartersville, Ga. Both point to prayer as foundational in their work as well as that of the local church.

It’s too bad writers of Scripture were not familiar with the Southern euphemism y’all, John said, because it would be helpful in pointing out the importance of corporate prayer. In his studies of 37 verses where Jesus taught on prayer, 33 refer to a plural setting.

“The Bible really says, ‘Y’all ask and y’all receive.’ ‘Y’all knock and the door will be opened to y’all,’” he said, pointing to the Scripture’s intent.

Early in his ministry, it became clear to him the importance of corporate prayer to revival, a point on which he sought feedback separately from Henry Blackaby and T.W. Hunt, both noted authors on the subject. Their confirmation joined experiences of John’s as minister of prayer at First Baptist in Woodstock, Ga., and as prayer coordinator for Lifeway, then into the pastorate in 2020. He joined Christian County Baptist Association in April 2022.

“The intent of my ministry on corporate prayer has been to raise awareness on how to lead a prayer meeting,” he said.

Start with God

It begins with a focus on God, not on asking Him to meet a need. In Acts 4, he said, Peter and John are threatened with death, but they don’t pray for a hedge of protection. They ask for boldness in the face of threats.

“When you start with God, that’s going to inform your heart how to respond,” said John.

He calls his brother a “tremendous advocate” for prayer.

“David is more relational, socially engaging and a better leader than I am,” said John. “My work has been more about helping people understand what makes for a dynamic prayer meeting and what a dynamic prayer leader does. It’s focused on teaching and training.”

David, four years older than John, has long been key to getting churches throughout his county, both in and outside the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), to partner in areas such as the National Day of Prayer and has served as the state chair. Recently, a large part of David’s time has been spent on promoting the gospel’s importance in the area of human flourishing.

“The openness right now to spiritual conversations is the highest it’s been,” he said. “People are hurting. They’re lonely. They’re anxious and stressed.”

A lot of that hurt magnifies itself in younger generations. Be that as it may, David sees a lot of hope for those groups leading the way in prayer. His brother agrees.

“God is doing something new,” said John. “There is a discernible movement among the younger generation, and I have been encouraged about it for the first time in almost 20 years. Certainly, He’s always working.”

(EDITOR’S NOTE — Scott Barkley is chief national correspondent for Baptist Press.)