We are intensely independent. We protect our privacy with passionate zeal. (Unless we are on Facebook, there seems to be no filters) If we want to phone someone, it is now expected to text them first; asking permission. When we arrive at someone’s house; we text them to inform them, we are at your front door. We don’t answer the phone, unless we recognize the number on call display. We value our independence to the point that no longer (generally speaking) we see value in community activities, serving as volunteer board members, or participating in community meetings or projects. “Togetherness” has been replaced with independence.

This cultural value has infiltrated the church as much as the rest of society, to the detriment of the personal spiritual well being of congregants and community as a whole.

One area this has a devastating impact is in the practice of corporate prayer. When I invite people to attend a corporate prayer time, I hear often, I pray. No doubt, you do. I respect your value of prayer. But generally Christians have a low tolerance for corporate prayer.

A friend told me a story of how his church was in financial trouble and would have to lay off all their staff. Yet, at the corporate prayer meeting of that church, only my friend showed up for the scheduled corporate prayer time. I am sure they were all praying, and more so, when they got their “pink slips”. But they somehow didn’t see the value of coming together and collectively storming heaven and standing against the wiles of the devil for the life of the church and for the plight of the staff. 

It is hard to swim against the cultural norms. But we must. Praying together is not an option, but a requirement of church body life. It is the life of the church. It is the arsenal to win the spiritual battles of the day. It is the comfort and encouragement for those in deep pain and suffering. Praying corporately is the one thing we all can do, regardless of our age, physical ability, education, or how long we have been a Christian.

Here are some tips to make praying together a better experience for you and for others:

1. Pray short prayers

2. Wait for others to pray, silence is good, don’t dominate

3. Resist the urge to prayer preach

4. Keep confidences

5. Resist testimonials, long stories of woes, or sharing other people’s sins, God knows the details already

6. Pray specific prayers, God can answer those. General prayers of “God heal all the sick people” is not scriptural and therefore ineffectual.

Historians have found that every move of God throughout history has always been preceded by dedicated, committed corporate prayer. Why not look for an opportunity to pray corporately? This can be with a select group of friends, a small group, a church scheduled prayer event. But the long term value is most achieved when it is a dedicated time, with like-minded Christians, over an extended period of time. Acts 1:14, Act 2:42, 2 Chronicles 20:3-4, Psalm 34:3

This Sunday, I will be continuing my series, Praying in a New Way. Praying Together, to see God Move is the sermon title. If you want to see God move in extraordinary ways, consider the spiritual discipline of praying together.

September 29, 2022