Lord, Teach us to pray
Pacing around the living room floor with eyes closed, or in some cases lifted upward, these kids prayed and prayed. They prayed to thank God for breath and for life. They praised God for who He is. They thanked God that they were able to go to school. They thanked God for those He put in their lives to care for them. They lifted their hands and asked for the most basic needs. They asked for God’s blessings for their friends from America. This went on for about forty minutes; time seemed to stand still while we prayed. Praying with this group of kids in Uganda was an experience I will never forget. Part of the reason it was so memorable is that it was so very different from anything I had experienced.
In the Bible God instructs us to pray without ceasing (1 Thes 5:17), promises that He hears our prayers (1 John 5:14), offers forgiveness if we pray and turn (2 Chron 7:14), invites us to pray for protection from temptation (Matt 26:41), and promises to give us what we ask (Mark 11:24).
Jesus modeled the importance of “going into our room” to pray privately; he would often go to a secluded place to pray. I struggle with this important discipline. Why do I find it easier to talk about praying or read writings about praying than to actually pray? Why am I satisfied squeezing prayer between activities in a packed schedule?
Jesus and his disciples also modeled the importance of corporate prayer. Prayer played such a prominent role in the lives of Jesus’ disciples. Just as we are called to pray privately, we are also called to pray corporately with other believers. John Onwuchekwa describes this in his book, Prayer: How Praying Together Shapes the Church:
“Prayer was never meant to be a merely personal exercise with personal benefits, but a discipline that reminds us how we’re personally responsible for others. This means that every time we pray, we should actively reject an individualistic mindset. We’re not just individuals in relationship with God, but we are part of a community of people who have the same access to God. Prayer is a collective exercise.”
Corporate prayer is featured throughout the book of Acts:
Acts 1:14 “All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.”
Acts 2:42-43 “And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.”
When the fellowship of believers prayed together, awe came upon them! I can only imagine the amazement as the Spirit worked in their midst. Prayer was a powerful tool in their lives, helping them to draw closer to God. And praying together was one way that they discipled each other.
Onwuchekwa highlights the importance of gathering for corporate prayer:
“A prayer meeting is different from praying during corporate worship, but it’s just as necessary. Prayer during corporate worship is the potatoes to the steak of the preached Word. In the prayer meeting, the roles are reversed. Now our prayer with one another becomes the main dish. We care for each other best as we lean on God together.”
At New City Church we are a Family of Missionary Servants, disciples of Jesus making disciples of Jesus. We gather in Missional Communities (our small groups) to follow the lead of Jesus’ first disciples – focusing on teaching, fellowship, sharing a meal, and praying. I am personally encouraged when we pray together. And I am also discipled when we pray together – the more we pray together, the more I am inclined to pray privately. Corporate prayer is an amazing resource available to help us press forward in our identities. We pray together as Family. We pray for the advancement of God’s kingdom as Missionaries. We pray for the needs of others as Servants. We disciple one another as we teach each other to seek the Lord in prayer.
Our church family is launching a corporate prayer meeting on Monday evenings (contact us if you would like to learn more). May God use this time to work among us as He did in the first century, drawing us closer to Him, aligning our hearts with His will, moving powerfully among us, impacting the community around us!