Matthew 6:5-9 NLT; 10-13 NKJV
When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! Pray like this:
Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Jesus emphasized the importance of both and prayer.
Why Communal Prayer?—
1. Jesus is when we in prayer
Matthew 18:19-20 NIV
Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.
2. Heaven to faith
Acts 1:14 NIV
They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
Acts 4:24, 31 NIV
When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God… After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.”
Acts 12:5, 7 NIV
So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him… Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. ‘Quick, get up!’ he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.”
Acts 16:25-26 NIV
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.
Matthew 6:10 NKJV
Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
3. It our
2 Kings 6:15-17 NIV
When the servant of the man of God got up early the next morning and went outside, there were troops, horses, and chariots everywhere. “Oh, sir, what will we do now?” the young man cried to Elisha.16 “Don’t be afraid!” Elisha told him. “For there are more on our side than on theirs!” 17 Then Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!” The Lord opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire.
4. We from
5. It makes space for and
James 5:16 NIV
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
Communal Prayer Practices—
1. Prayer
- One person leading, others agreeing
- All praying simultaneously on a shared topic
- All reciting a prayer together
- Prayer walls, boxes, etc.
2. Prayer
James 5:13-15 NIV
Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well.
3. Prayer
Luke 10:2 NIV
He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.
Question for Reflection: Who could pray for weekly/monthly? (List 5 or more)
“I realize now that intercessory prayer is not primarily about thinking I know what someone else needs and trying to wrestle it from God. Rather, it is being present to God on another’s behalf, listening for the prayer of the Holy Spirit that is already being prayed for that person before the throne of grace. It is being willing to join God in that prayer.” —Ruth Haley Barton, Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership
4. Prayer
1 Corinthians 14:1-3 NIV
Eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy… the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.
A.B.C.’s of Prophecy:
– does it fulfil the criteria of 1 Cor. 14, by being strengthening, encouraging, comforting, edifying and uplifting?
– Is it consistent with the broad teaching and witness of scripture?
– does it sound like the kind of thing Jesus would have said and feel like the kind of person he was?
1 Corinthians 13:9 NIV
For we know in part and we prophesy in part.
Resources: How to Hear God + Your Sons and Daughters Shall Prophesy
5. Prayer
Question for Reflection: Who’s someone I trust that I could ask to be in a Growth (accountability) Group with me?
Resource: Sample Growth Group Meeting