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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- Developing Your Prayer Life: The Ongoing Series
- A Step Toward Unceasing Prayer: Embracing Discipline and Planning
- A Prayer-Producing, Sin-Slaughtering Love for God
Love it!
I have often shunned collective prayer because I have usually been around people who cannot simply shush and let others pray aloud. It may be my pride, but I often feel others are clogging up the meeting so they can have the spotlight. You know?
I appreciate your post. I believe that you are absolutely right – collective prayer is a very powerful thing. I believe it is an integral element to corporate worship. Thank you for posting.
Yeah, I hear you. Maybe some reader will point out a wise way to aid the situation…
Bryan, thank you for stopping by with a word of encouragement.
Your post was helpful in getting me thinking. There’s a wide-range of applications to meditate on in that area.
I used to have a problem with it also because I didn’t know all the “great” words everyone else was using. Then finally I learned the words… how foolish! Now, I try to practice more humility and confess something openly, something not too personal but enough to kill my ego.
Also, I used to ask people if they need prayer for a certain thing, they would tell me, then I would pray for them later on … if I remembered. Been there? Well for quite a few years what I have done is when someone asks me for prayer, or if I ask someone if they would like me to pray for them, and if they say “yes,” then I’ll say something like this: “Okay, well can we do that right now?” That way I don’t forget and I am intentional about praying for them. It doesn’t have to be a half an hour prayer. Even a 60 second prayer is fine. Just do it.
Sure have been there. And the remedy is great in its simplicity. The intentionality shows care. It’s unsaid, but I hear: “I don’t want to forget to pray about this because I care about you, and to prove it, I want to pray for it with you now.”
Got any more ideas? I love the practical application that starts coming out in discussion. Thanks for sharing.
Yeah. How about, “May I place my hand on your shoulder?” It’s always nice when someone lets you do that when you pray. It’s more personal for the one praying, and very touching (no pun intended) for the one being prayed for.
I’ve honestly never tried that one. Of course there are considerations to keep in mind when touching someone…but there it’s not like there isn’t a place for it. It’s in the Bible. I’ve just never done it except in my family (you now, we’re a bit tighter group there!).
Hey Daniel, thanks for this post. You bring up a lot of thoughtful ideas; I actually read it yesterday but have been mulling it over for a while before I join in the discussion.
I haven’t had much experience with this kind of collective prayer, and I definitely identify with your initial thoughts, “Collective prayer always felt fake. Or at least I felt fake praying in a group when it became more performance than prayer.” I remember not long ago talking to someone about this and sharing with her how I felt more like I was just talking in front of people instead of praying to God…like I couldn’t *feel* His presence the same way that I did when I prayed on my own or I guess I wasn’t letting Him into that prayer time (sounds ridiculous, I know). She shared some stories with me about prayer groups she’s been in that sound much like your description of “when a small group of people get together on their knees and pour their hearts out to the Lord.” One of the things she talked about was how a particular group moved from “group discussion time” to “prayer time” almost seamlessly because, as one of the members pointed out, God is there the whole time, hearing what they’ve been saying even before the official “prayer” starts. So, I guess that’s one thing I’m trying to do: ask God to heighten my awareness of His continual presence and His ability to see exactly what’s in my mind and heart as well as knowing what’s coming out my mouth.
Your discussion of “masks” is really important. It is very difficult for me to be open and honest about what’s in my heart (be it struggles or victories, needs or praises) when I’m talking in front of others; I’ve always thought that just had to do with my general shyness, but I believe the Holy Spirit has been revealing to me, through others’ writing and by convicting my own heart, that much of this “self-conciousness” is just that – too much consciousness directed toward self and not enough directed toward God. Sincerity in prayer (well, all the time, really) is so crucial to following God in spirit and in truth and being humble and honest with others. I love the way you describe the goal of “living in context of the Body of Christ.”
This discussion reminds me of a slightly off-topic issue that came to me yesterday. I was reading a quote by C.T. Studd about the danger of using prayer as a “substitute for obedience” – I took that to mean praying about something without truly desiring a change or actively cooperating with God to address whatever it is, as if as soon as the “amen” is said, we go on with the day thinking “well, I prayed about it; now back to what I was doing…” or even, “well, I confessed it and prayed about it with someone or asked for their prayers; that shows that I’m trying.” I know I’ve been there, so to revise the prayer you provide above for me, I need to pray, “My double mind and divided heart pollute the sincerity of this prayer. Wretched woman that I am, who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord who can captivate every thought of my mind and unite my divided heart into one passion and one will to serve Him more fully each day.”
Thanks again for getting us thinking about this, Daniel. Your blog ministry and your commenters are always in my prayers.
Wow…I didn’t realize how VERY long that was until I submitted the comment…sorry about that. Thanks for reading, though, if you have the time.
Because Prayer is not getting God in line w/me, but me getting in line w/ HIm, I have noticed when praying w/ others that the word of God flows out of my mouth. I do not have to think what to say it just flows out & furthermore it is exactly in line for what we are praying for. He is so faithful.
Ruth,
Your comments are always welcome. Always.
The “prayer as a substitute for obedience” problem is one to watch out for. Something to be reminded of.
And oh, to have a heart that is undivided in its devotion to the Lord…
I think the words that flow from your mouth are the fruit of the hours and hours of time you spend with the Lord. Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks…your rich prayers come from a wealth of hours alone with God. He has been faithful to you!
Thanks, Daniel, I needed the encouragement.
Maybe need more prayer for my students, as I have failed in that area.
Thanks, Daniel.
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