Pray is often considered a solitary activity. We remember Jesus’ instruction to go to our room, shut the door and pray to your Father who sees what is done in secret. Jesus also said that if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it’d be done. Which is it? Is it practiced in solitude or community? The answer is both. There are times for us to be alone and listen and there are times for us to pray together. I shared some thoughts today about why we should participate in corporate prayer. Additionally, I shared some advice on how to practice corporate prayer. Here are both lists from Sunday.
Why should we practice corporate prayer?
- Corporate prayer is a practice demonstrated for us by the disciples and the early church.
- Praying together builds community as we share our concerns and burdens with others.
- We create a sense of belonging when we pray together.
- We know better how to pray for one another as we listen to each other in corporate prayer. This type of prayer opens explicitly our eyes to the needs around us.
- A corporate prayer is a form of encouragement and a ministry of presence.
- Praying together multiples the number of seeking hearts.
- Corporate prayer fosters unity of purpose and mission.
- Corporate prayer is an essential practice in a process decision-making and discernment.
- Corporate prayer demonstrates faith and belief.
- When we pray together, we show both an individual and group dependence. God is only one who empowers and embolden.
How should we pray together?
- When you pray together, remember the audience. God is the audience and not the people in the circle.
- In a corporate prayer be sincere, truthful, and transparent.
- Speak as you would speak to anyone in the room when you pray together. Be yourself and try not to use overtly religious language.
- Listen to the prayers of others in the group. How are they praying? What are they emphasizing? This will help you to fine tune your prayer when it is your turn.
- Learn to agree both internally and externally with another in prayer.
- Learn to be present in the group. Keep your mind present with what is prayed. In other words, focus on what is being spoken.
- Before you pray as a group, communicate any expectations, processes or helpful information. Will everyone pray? Will just one pray for the group? Will you go in a specific direction to the right or left? Will people pray as they feel led? Are you working from a list? Will you divide it out? Establish the mechanics of the group so that no one is left wondering or distracted.
- Ask questions about each other in the group. What should we pray about? How can I pray for you? How are you praying?
- Maintain a prayer journal chronicling the group’s prayer activity.
- Share any recent Scriptural insights learned which speak to the issues or concerned being prayed about by the group.
