God focused prayer is about daily engaging with Him intimately, and because of who God is, we can have unlimited expectations. As we do this, our will and motivation for praying, will be tested.
Prayer has an important place as a family. As we gather, prayer is a means of responding to the God we are engaging with.
Corporate prayer requires participation, preparation and time.
PARTICIPATION
Prayer is often seen as a private and individual event. In corporate prayer we are sharing in leading the whole church family to pray together. Our prayer is not just for me but on behalf of all present. And when someone else prays I can participate by agreeing with them, by saying Amen (Amen is Hebrew for surely, truly, so be it, I agree.).
Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Then all the people said “Amen” and “Praise the Lord.” (1 Chronicles 16:36)
How are you participating in corporate prayer?
PREPARATION
Prayer is a spiritual endeavour. When we gather and join in prayer, it is important that we are prepared. This doesn’t mean we script our prayers and read it out. But it does mean we are spiritually right before God, and also in step with what is happening in the setting we are in. This allows us to pray substantively, sensitively but also succinctly and lead God’s people to worship. A commitment and devotion to preparation.
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (Acts 2:42)
How do you prepare for prayer?
TIME
Often we are rushed in prayer. We tag it on the end or forget it all together. Prayer is a vital part of believers gathering together. At KCC we have specific time put aside to it. We call this ‘open worship’ or a ‘time of response’. We shouldn’t be afraid of the silence between prayers and sharing, rather using these times to prepare to participate. We need to be aware that prayer refocuses our minds and hearts on the one worthy of worship, rather than other distractions.
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mark 14:38)
How do you use the ‘open worship’ times during our Sunday services?
As a church family, we want our worship to be corporate. We want to see our prayer life, reflect the breadth and variety of people in our church family. Don’t be afraid to be part of our coporate prayer times. Be part of it by participating, preparing, and using the time we have.
May we be a church family who together worship our God through prayer.