Igniting the Power of Corporate Prayer

I was in downtown Minneapolis in a meeting with several ministry leaders the day tragedy struck our nation. Together, on 9/11, we watched the news of the Twin Towers falling. In shock, we prayed and asked God how we should respond. We sensed we were to call churches together for corporate prayer.

A few of us walked across the street to the Metrodome, knelt on the sidewalk in front of the stadium, and asked God to give us that professional sports facility for a prayer gathering. Moments later we had permission to use the facility, free of charge, to invite the Church from all over the Twin Cities area to join us.

A flurry of emails went out to various ministries, which forwarded them through their networks. Five nights later, we were amazed when 24,000 people showed up to worship and pray in corporate unity. We were desperate for God to show His mercy upon our nation, and we prayed in agreement throughout the evening.

I made an assumption that night. We had already scheduled a citywide prayer gathering for a few months later at the Metrodome, and we had been promoting it prior to 9/11. So I assumed that after this powerful corporate prayer experience, people would return and bring more friends with them.

But as we got closer to the follow-up prayer gathering, I sensed a shift. It was clear that the urgency had left people’s hearts. Other church events and personal calendars began to take precedence over coming together again to pray for revival and spiritual awakening in our city.

I tried not to look at all the empty seats that night as we prayed with a much smaller crowd. But I admit I was discouraged. I still wonder what evidences of God’s favor we might see today had we continued to increase our corporate cries on behalf of our nation.

Shaking with Power

When the disciples were threatened and intimidated over speaking the truths of Jesus, they responded by gathering for prayer. Together they raised their voices to God, asking for boldness and miraculous signs of His hand upon them (Acts 4:29–30). I suspect all the disciples were present and accounted for in this moment of distress. One can’t imagine anything better to do at that time!

God, in turn, answered their prayers by filling them with the Holy Spirit and enabling them to speak God’s Word boldly. And, to add an exclamation point to His response, God caused the building to shake (v. 31). They asked for a sign—and God made sure there was no doubt that He was empowering them to keep sharing the gospel.

We may understand that corporate prayer—praying together with one heart—is important, but it can be such a struggle to make it a priority. In this issue you will read the confession of a senior pastor who returned to his previous church to repent to the elders for not leading them in more corporate prayer. Other prayer leaders will tell of times when corporate prayer has worked powerfully—and times when hindrances have overtaken the joy of praying together.

There is a direct correlation between praying corporately and experiencing the building-shaking power of the Spirit. The disciples proved by their lives and ministry that they had no doubt God was in the room that day! May God shake our churches again with His power and presence in answer to our prayers.

—Carol Madison, editor, Prayer Connect