The Need for Collective Prayer
There is a reason I’ve shunned collective prayer in the past, and it might be similar to yours.
Collective prayer always felt fake. Or at least I felt fake praying in a group when it became more performance than prayer.
But I had the nagging feeling that I was missing something.
I was.
After spending four weeks intentionally studying Biblical prayer and now reading a story of a pastor and church that were set on fire through prayer, I’m starting to get a glimpse of what I was missing (which justifies continuing the study on prayer. I’d like to move from a glimpse to a stare and then on to experience).
What I Mean by Collective Prayer
I am not referencing the recited prayers at a church service. I am talking about the prayer that happens when a small group of people get together on their knees and pour their hearts out to the Lord. Such collective prayer in small groups disinterested me…previously. Now I can’t get enough of it.
What was I missing?
3 Reasons Why We Need Collective Prayer [What I Was Missing]
1. Diverse Perspectives Enrich Prayer
About half way through the prayer session during my first visit to the men’s prayer breakfast, it slapped me in the face: my own perspective is inadequate.
The group of men brought more to the prayer than any one man ever could because each one sees the prayer request against a background of unique life experiences. God sovereignly prepares each one with a different perspective so that each may pray differently.
Private prayer is valuable, and I do not want to downplay that or lessen our use of it. But it is also arrogant to think that there is not much to be gained by praying together where the Body of Christ collectively pleads each case before the throne.
2. Gathering as a Body Stomps Individualism
A rusty nail piercing the left foot has a pronounced effect on the right foot. At the very least, the right foot will bear more weight and walk slower.
Yet we tend to live as if our life has no impact on the Body of Christ. The symptoms of individualism are undeniable:
We think personal sin doesn’t hurt the church.
We set our goals based on what we individually want most.
We may send someone a prayer request, but we rarely want them to pray over it with us.
Individualism drains the body of spiritual power, the very power we so desperately need. Collective prayer aids in bringing us back to living in context of the Body of Christ and stomping out power-leeching individualism.
“Whatever you do, do more with others, and less alone.”
3. Group Confession is a Devastating Remedy for the Mask
Group prayer felt fake to me because I was fake. I wore a mask. My problem really had nothing to do with collective prayer, and it had everything to do with my approach.
Turns out, collective prayer offers a devastating remedy for the performer.
It is a prime time to move beyond giving shallow, vague prayer requests and instead openly confess weakness, inadequacy, failure, and needs. We take the mask of self-sufficiency off when we publicly admit a critical need and an utter inability to attain any solution.
Sure, we can pervert confession and turn it into another spiritual contest of staged humility. But if that be the case, then take that mask off too and commit it to prayer.
“Although you should be selective in your sharing, transparency is an in-your-face slam dunk against hypocrisy and superficiality in a group.” – Terry Powell
It’s OK to say, “I can’t even confess my sin without creating the need to confess more sin. Wretched man that I am, who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Conclusion
A love for collective prayer cannot be forced. Proper delight in spiritual disciplines comes when the Lord opens our eyes to see things as they really are, beholding true value.
How does the Lord open our eyes to the value?
The Holy Spirit works when we look at the story of Daniel and watch how he gathered his friends together to pray (Daniel 2:17-19), when we read the biographies of men like D.L. Moody and George Müller, or when we step out and experience the spiritual disciplines in a new, refreshing way.
Then we see that the value of the discipline does not lie in the discipline itself, but it its usefulness as an aid to bring us to communion with God and fellowship with the Body.
What hang-ups have you experienced in collective prayer? What has God done to increase your delight in collective prayer?
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Weekend Resource: The Prayerless Church is a Powerless Church
In order to gear you up for the posts I’ve written for the coming week, this Weekend Resource fits the theme of prayer.
Also: Don’t miss the link to a free audiobook at the bottom.
The Prayerless Church Will Inevitably Be a Powerless Church
Andrew Murray lays it out in black and white: A prayerless church is a powerless church.
Here’s an excerpt from an article taken from Murray’s book, The Prayer Life:
“[Prayerlessness] is the cause of a deficient spiritual life.—It is a proof that, for the most part, our life is still under the power of “the flesh.” Prayer is the pulse of life; by it the doctor can tell what is the condition of the heart. The sin of prayerlessness is a proof for the ordinary Christian or minister that the life of God in the soul is in deadly sickness and weakness.
Much is said and many complaints are made about the feebleness of the Church to fulfill her calling, to exercise an influence over her members, to deliver them from the power of the world, and to bring them to a life of holy consecration to God.
Much is also spoken about her indifference to the millions of heathen whom Christ entrusted to her that she might make known to them His love and salvation.
What is the reason that many thousands of Christian workers in the world have not a greater influence?
Nothing save this—the prayerlessness of their service. In the midst of all their zeal in the study and in the work of the Church, of all their faithfulness in preaching and conversation with the people, they lack that ceaseless prayer which has attached to it the sure promise of the Spirit and the power from on high.
It is nothing but the sin of prayerlessness which is the cause of the lack of a powerful spiritual life!”
Second Resource: Free Audiobook Download of John Piper’s Desiring God
For the next 30 days when you click the link above, you will be able to get John Piper’s audiobook, Desiring God, for free using the code provided by ChristianAudio.com. They offer one free audiobook per month, so I recommend keeping up with them if you enjoy a good listen.
“Desiring God by John Piper is the free audiobook download for November; one of the best-selling and most popular titles ever published by christianaudio!
Scripture reveals that the great business of life is to glorify God by enjoying Him forever. In this paradigm-shattering classic, newly revised and expanded, John Piper reveals that the debate between duty and delight doesn’t truly exist: Delight is our duty. Join him as he unveils stunning, life impacting truths you saw in the Bible but never dared to believe.”
All John Piper audiobook downloads are only $4.98 each until November 21st!
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How to Develop a Desperate Prayer Life
Why are the desperate people the only ones praying powerful prayers?
Helplessness stares me in the face when I am desperate. It’s like reaching into an empty pocket for the last dime and coming up with nothing but lint. And the cashier sure doesn’t want trade the #3 Combo Meal for my lint.
Its uncomfortable, but such desperation is a key to powerful prayer.
Only the desperate recognize their utter helplessness. They are empty of themselves. They are ready to cling to the promises of God. And all of those things are necessary for powerful prayer.
“We are to be nothing, and the less we are and the weaker we are, the better; for the the less we have of self the more room there is for Christ’s divine grace…He asks nothing of you but that you will be nothing, and that He may be all in all to you.” – Charles Spurgeon
David gives us a God-inspired model for desperate prayer.
Desperate prayer is modeled for us by David in Psalm 86:1-7:
Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me,
for I am poor and needy.
Preserve my life, for I am godly;
save your servant, who trusts in you—you are my God.
Be gracious to me, O Lord,
for to you do I cry all the day.
Gladden the soul of your servant,
for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,
abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.
Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer;
listen to my plea for grace.
In the day of my trouble I call upon you,
for you answer me.
3 Characteristics of desperate prayer
Drawing from David’s prayer, we see three characteristics of a desperate prayer:
1. Ernest desire to be heard and answered
Our half-hearted, mumbly prayers evidence our apathy. We don’t even care to be heard. We don’t expect an answer. We’re probably not even sure why we are praying.
Contrast that with David, who begged God to listen and answer: “Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me.” David cared deeply about the requests he brought before God in prayer.
2. Recognition of need, helplessness, and poverty
David confessed his bankruptcy upfront, recognizing his inability to meet a crushing need. “I am poor and needy.” Likewise, we must realize we can’t come to God in prayer to cut a deal as wealthy merchants. We have nothing to trade. We’re dirt poor beggars.
What happens when we misdiagnose our condition?
We start looking like boy scouts slapping on bandaids to save a heart attack victim. “Nah Scoutmaster, we don’t need help. We’ll have this under control soon as Shorty finds the duct tape.” Misdiagnosis leads to a false hope in some crummy, self-concocted rescue plan. It drains our prayers of the crucial element of desperation.
3. Pleading a case for grace
David was quick to build a case before God. David’s only argument was built on God’s own character. God’s own goodness would compel God to act on behalf of the prayer warrior on his knees, and David was banking on that grace.
This is also a check on the heart: Am I desperate for something that God can put His character behind? A lot of selfish desires die when we align ourselves with God’s will, wanting what He wants.
Our hope lies in God’s commitment to God
The hope of a desperate prayer warrior lies in God’s commitment to God. God will remain faithful to His promises, for He cannot deny Himself.
God’s commitment to God is extended to man through the promises found in the Word. God can’t remain true to Himself without remaining true to His children. What a staggering thought for a desperate man on his knees.
On another note:
If you struggle with spending too much time surfing the internet, watching TV, or any other tech-related activity, I urge you to take a look at Don’s recent post. It is an excellent challenge to keep a log of where you spend your non-work related tech time, then evaluate it, attempt to cut the time down drastically, and find something better to do with yourself. I can relate to the circumstances that spawned Don’s idea. I hope some of you will join in.
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The blood is powerful
Hebrews 10:19-23
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.
Climax of the New Covenant
Hebrews lays it out for us: Drawing near to God confidently is the climax of the New Covenant. The blood of the Lamb atones for the sin that shattered the God-man relationship since Eden.
Don’t miss the significance of a man drawing near to God confidently.
A common man can now push through the veil into the Holy of Holies and survive. No, more than survive. He can commune with the God who created the universe, who led a people from Egypt, who wiped out pagan kings, and who still strikes men like Ananias dead.
Are we confident in the promise, or just unconscious of the danger?
I wonder if we come to the throne comfortably in prayer because we do not understand the fierceness of God’s wrath toward the unclean. “Step into the 10,000 degree furnace. You won’t be incinerated.” Really? Imagine taking that step. That’s the picture, except God’s wrath is a blaze infinitely more severe.
The better we understand the danger, the more fully we understand the power of the blood.
We come into the presence of the Holy One of Israel as…a child, not a criminal. God is bound by a covenant oath to accept the payment made on the cross. He can no more dishonor that oath than He can cease being God. Therefore, we enter the Holy of Holies with unwavering faith and full confidence in the powerful blood of Jesus Christ that protects men from the wrath of God.
Exalting Christ in prayer
We skip over the power of this blood too often. We approach God in a way that claims the promise of His listening ear, but fails to do more than a customary hat-tip to the Guarantor of the promise. Relying consciously (even verbally) on the blood of Jesus to draw near to God in prayer exalts Christ. It displays the power of the cross to our own heart and anyone within earshot.
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Loving the gifts, not the Giver
The moment I finish eating, the dog leaves. Her companionship lasts as long as the sandwich.
So too our prayer life is often one of chasing gifts, not the Giver. Then forgetting God once we have eaten and become satisfied.
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Weekend Resource: Prayer- laying hold of God by His promises
Resource: This sermon, by Terry Virgo, will likely change how you view prayer. If it does not change you, it will refresh your commitment to prayer.
John Piper pointed me to the sermon via twitter: “I have just watched a sermon on prayer by Terry Virgo that will alter my year. I recommend it.”
I’ve listened to it twice today now. It is indeed a year-altering message from God’s word.
Watch the video or download the audio by clicking here. Note: video is in two parts, so be sure to click the link to the second video after finishing the first. Total running time for audio/video: 52 minutes.
If you are desperate for a powerful prayer life, and hungry for further teaching, here is another sermon worth listening to, by Piper.
I pray the Spirit teaches you through these men, kindling a passion for God and coming to Him in prayer.
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Watch and Pray as the Devil Prowls
1 Peter 5:8-11
8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 5 gives the “why” for watchfulness. Who wouldn’t want to watch out for the devil, when he is described as prowling and roaring, seeking to devour?? The devil isn’t just real, he is really waiting for the moment when he can devour someone. “Daniel’s adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking to devour Daniel.” That is how it might as well read. I can’t lose my salvation, but I sure can suffer the devouring effects of falling into sin. Also, we know that the devil is waiting for the perfect moment, not just a random prowling. When the devil left Jesus after tempting Him in the wilderness, it was said that the devil would return at an opportune time (Luke 4:13). He’s waiting for me to close my eyes for a brief moment! Therefore, Peter says to be watchful.
But how? How do I be watchful? Sure, I can attempt to keep my eyes open 24/7, but what happens when I tire, and my personal strength fails?
Matthew 26:39-41
39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” 40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
I find it interesting that being prayerful is connected with being watchful. That is furthered in Ephesians and Colossians:
Ephesians 6:17-20
17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
Colossians 4:2
2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
From these verses, I gather that you have closed your eyes and ceased to resist the devil once you cease to pray. You are inviting temptation to entangle you before you realize what is going on. What are you risking? Sin is destructive. It destroys you and those around you when you fall into sin. Ephesians pointed out that the prayer is for all the saints – we are in this together as a body, and we want none of the soldiers to fall.
Why – we watch because the devil is prowling.
How – by prayer to the One who has the strength we lack.
Lastly, what do I pray? Matthew 6:13 sums that up, and that can be expounded upon at a later time.
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More than a prayer for survival
Matthew 6:9-13:
hallowed be your name.
10 Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread,
12 and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
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