Praying is an important part of a Christian’s life. We are encouraged to develop a robust prayer life and spend the first part of our day in communion with the Lord. I know I always feel better prepared to face the day when I give God the first part of my morning. I had a
pastor who said that, when his alarm went off in the morning, the first things that would hit the floor were is knees. What a great habit to develop!
Praying alone with the Lord is important. Jesus demonstrated that in His life. Scripture often tells of how he snuck away alone to spend time in prayer with the Father. He is our example. If this was important for Jesus – the second person of the trinity – how much more so for us? Like Jesus, we need to make it a priority to steal away from the busy-ness of life and spend some alone time with God. This is where we mature spiritually. This is where we develop our relationship with the Lord. This is where our faith and our trust in Him are strengthened.
Corporate prayer is also very important. Praying with others brings us together to agree on things that we are asking the Lord to do in our lives, in the lives of others, and in the world. But the word “corporate” can be a little misleading. When I hear “corporate”, I think of a large body of people that have come together. But that does not have to be the case. Jesus said that as few as two or three can join together to make a difference in the world. In Matthew 18, verses 19 and 20, Jesus says this: “Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
Wow - where two or three are gathered, He is there with us! Amazing! The King of heaven, the creator of all things who spoke this world into existence, is with us when we gather together in His name. Jesus is our prayer partner, and what a prayer partner to have! He is our advocate, there to intercede with us and for us. For Him to recognize that we have come together in His name to pray and then join us with His presence is truly an amazing thing. Yet, I fear that we take that for granted too often. The King of kings and the Lord of lords wants to be with us, and yet sometimes we don’t even give Him a second thought.
Praying together is a privilege. Joining together in His name to intercede for our needs and the needs of others is our calling. Jesus wants us to do this. The Lord wants us to spend that alone time with Him. But He also wants us to spend time together, with brothers and sisters in Christ, interceding for the lost. It’s an important part of our Christian life. Paul commands us to “pray without ceasing.” Prayer changes things, including us.
If you are married, spend time in prayer with your wife. Include your children if you have any. Boyfriends and girlfriends, friends, neighbors, relatives – you can form a group with anyone who professes Christ. If your church has a regular prayer meeting, make it a priority to faithfully go every time they meet. If it does not, consider starting one. You can also start a prayer meeting at your office or at your school. You don’t need anything but a space where you can gather together and pray. It is our God-given right to do it and it is certainly a privilege for us. The God of all creation wants to spend time with us. Let’s give Him that opportunity. Daily.
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