Group Prayer
The objective of this section is to help you explain the importance
of group prayer and types of group prayer often experienced by
the church. Praying together with your Small Group for
your P.E.A.C.E. Project is a powerful means of preparation. This
study is to enhance the quality of your group’s prayer
time together.
Introduction:
Though individual prayer is vital to our own personal walk with
Christ, God has attached special significance to group prayer.
We need to understand the importance of Group prayer and how
to use it in our Small Groups.
Individual prayer is basic to spiritual vitality
-
Individual prayer should include all elements: praise, thanksgiving,
confession, intercession, petition, blessing, and listening.
Jesus gave special encouragement to group prayer. (Matthew 18:19-20)
Reason for Group Prayer
When believers gather together, they have the opportunity to
pray with and for each other. It is to the benefit of each believer
to have others pray with them. For example, in Mathew 9:2 the
paralytic was healed because of the faith of his friends. This
concept is throughout the scriptures, that our faith can positively
effect change in others.
Special occasions of Group Prayer in the New Testament
-
The Church was born in prayer - the Day
of Pentecost (Acts 1:12-2:41) Jesus had instructed the disciples
(120 of them, men and women, together) to remain in Jerusalem
until they received the Holy Spirit and His power. During this
time (about ten days) as they were in the upper room, they
devoted themselves to prayer. The Holy Spirit came on them
with the sound of a rushing wind, tongues, of fire, and the
ability to speak the native languages of the Jews gathered
from many foreign lands. Then Peter's preaching resulted in
3000 people coming to Christ.
-
The new Church prayed - The 3000 original
believers in Jerusalem met together daily in the temple courtyard
and from house to house. They devoted themselves to teaching
by the apostles, to fellowship, to the Lord's Supper, and to
'''prayer'''. The number of the believers increased day by
day.
-
The threatened Church prayed (Acts 4:5-37) - As
miracles happened and the church grew, Peter and John were
called before the Jewish religious leaders and were threatened
not to preach any more in Jesus' name. When this was reported
to the growing church, they had a large prayer meeting. They
prayed that God would give them boldness to continue preaching
Christ and that God would continue to grant signs and wonders
to be done in Jesus' name. When they had prayed, the place
where they had gathered was shaken, they were all filled with
the Holy Spirit, and they began to speak the word of God and
to witness with boldness and great power. The group was all
of one heart and soul and shared their wealth as people had
need.
-
The missionary Church prayed (Acts 13:1-4) - During
a time of prayer and fasting, the Spirit called Barnabas and
Paul to take the gospel to new areas. The church at Antioch
prayed, fasted, laid hands on them (a dedication and commissioning),
and sent them on their way.
Click here to
return to Missions home page
|
|
