The local church is God’s primary instrument for reaching our communities for Christ and seeing believers grow in their faith. This is the purpose of the church – to make disciples.
There is a lot of work to be done in and through the church. People need to be visited. Classes need to be taught. Events need to be planned. Decisions need to be made. Actions need to be taken.
However, it is easy to get ‘caught up’ in the work and completely neglect the power. For the past few weeks I have been struggling with the ‘success’ of our church and my personal ministry. I know ‘enough’ is never ‘enough’. We can always do more.
But I came the conviction recently that the ‘do more’ is not more of what we’ve been doing. The ‘do more’ is prayer.
When I was growing up we used to have Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting. We had a short Bible study then knelt down at our pew and took turns praying for all the prayer requests. Society and church life has changed. We now have children’s ministries, Bible studies, and other activities that have replaced the ‘Prayer Meeting.’
But I am convinced that the power of the church is prayer. The power is not what happens in the Sunday worship service – it’s what happens in the prayer meeting. Prayer is a public recognition that we need God. And the church prayer meeting is a public recognition that we need God.
So I have opened up the half-hour before our Sunday services (9am & 5:30pm) for prayer for our church. Anyone can join me.
Prayer should be the priority for a church. Jesus quoted Isaiah 56:7 when he entered the Temple by saying, “My house shall be called a house of prayer…” (Mark 11:17). He said it should not be called a house of evangelism, or worship, or for social gatherings. But people should call God’s House a ‘house of prayer.’
It is important that Christians get together to pray together. If your church has a prayer meeting, attend it. Regardless, join together with other Christians to spend time praying for one another and the expansion of God’s kingdom.
Here are some benefits from praying together:
1. Praying together means collectively more prayers are prayed.
Each of us has a unique way of praying and praying together brings a new voice to the need. You don’t have to all talk at once. That would be a little confusing. But while one person is praying, the others can be agreeing or praying along. Even if it is a time of silent prayer, more prayers are lifted up to God simultaneously.
2. Praying together gives a deep feeling of belonging.
When I am part of a group, I feel that I am a necessary part of a greater purpose. It is a great encouragement to hear somebody pray for me. Sometimes when we’re going through difficulty, we wonder if someone cares. We know they do, but we want the assurance. Praying with others reminds you that others pray for you.
3. Praying together improves your mood.
I’ll be honest – many times that I have attended a prayer meeting I have not felt like being there. I just wasn’t in the mood. But after looking out among others and feeling their love and care regardless of how I felt when I began, I have left feeling comforted. My mood always changes after a prayer meeting.
4. Praying together opens my heart to the needs of the people around me
When you pray with someone else you realize their needs. You may even be reminded that sometimes you can be the answer to someone’s prayer. Nothing brings you closer to someone than praying with them. You can’t pray together and still be enemies.
I invite you to join with another Christian and spend time in prayer.
Who will you invite?
When will you meet?