Why should we pray together?
We should pray together because corporate prayer unites us under Christ’s Lordship, enabling us to participate in God’s mission of disciple-making. When we pray together, we join in spiritual warfare, standing against the forces that seek to divide and destroy, and we prepare ourselves to disciple our nation and the nations.
When should we pray together?
We should pray together consistently, making prayer a daily practice that fuels our disciple-making efforts. Andrew Murray said, “The man who mobilizes the Christian church to pray will make the greatest contribution to world evangelization in history.” Daily prayer is essential to keeping our hearts aligned with God’s purposes, including the Great Commission.
How should we pray together?
We should pray with humility, unity, and expectation, knowing that our prayers are vital in the disciple-making mission. J. John, a well-known evangelist, encourages us to “Pray as though everything depends on God. Work as though everything depends on you.” This attitude helps us to balance dependence on God with our responsibility to act in making disciples.
We can begin by praying with one or two others to focus on the word, worship and pray together for 30 minutes each week and encouraging others to develop the same rhythm of prayer.
Where should we pray together?
Everywhere—from homes to churches, public spaces to workplaces. Brian Pickering, National Coordinator of the Australian Prayer Network, reminds us that “Prayer is the foundation on which the Christian life and the Church are built.” As such, prayer should permeate every area of our lives and communities, and our disciple-making efforts should extend into every part of society.
Who should pray?
Everyone! Prayer and disciple-making are the responsibilities of every believer, from the youngest to the oldest, across every denomination and community. Every believer is called to pray and to make disciples.
- Find a Place of Solitude and Listen to God. Set aside time in a quiet place where you can be alone with God. Open your heart and mind to hear His voice and seek His presence.
- Invite a Friend to Join You in Prayer
Reach out to a friend and invite them to commit to 30 minutes of prayer with you every week. Together, you can begin this journey of prayer. - Encourage Multiplication
Encourage each of you to find two more friends and form another prayer pair or triplet. Share the vision of multiplying vibrant prayer cells. - Follow a Simple Prayer Format
Use this easy structure for your prayer time:
- 10 Minutes in the Word: Read a chosen scripture three times, slowly and thoughtfully.
- 10 Minutes in Wonder: Be open to what the Holy Spirit reveals through the scripture. Reflect on its meaning and impact.
- 10 Minutes in Prayer Together: Pray together, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide and prompt your prayers.
- Plan to Put Prayer into Action
Think about how you can live out your prayers:
- Bless Someone: Ask God to show you someone to bless this week.
- Invite a Friend: Consider inviting someone new to learn about Jesus.
By following these steps, you can create a ripple effect of prayer, blessing, and discipleship in your community. Let’s see what God will do as we step out in faith!
