Bringing people together in corporate prayer takes work. And at times it can be discouraging when prayer doesn’t seem to be a priority. But here are my top ten reasons for encouraging and working toward getting more people involved in praying together in your church:
1. It helps more people become passionate about their involvement in God’s Kingdom work. It’s not about the numbers. It is about equipping people to be Kingdom-minded. (And you’ll find that the more “boat rowers” you have, the fewer “boat rockers” you’ll have.)
2. It helps me as a pastor—and a prayer leader—to stress the importance of being a praying people. That’s what God wants. Prayer isn’t only for the 80-year-old, silver-haired, 50-year-veteran Sunday school teacher. God directs all of His disciples to pray.
3. It helps us keep short accounts in the Body. If I am praying with and for others, it is tough to harbor anger, ill feelings, or a desire to get even. Prayer tends to unite more than divide.
4. It helps keep the church family on the same page of mission and vision. If more of us are corporately involved in praying for matters, we move in the same direction. Corporate decisions are no longer a tug of war. People who pray with others are generally more loyal to the church.
5. It helps engender a greater variety of prayers. People may pray over matters in different ways, which brings a richness and broader perspective to prayer. Also, more pray-ers make 24-hour prayer vigils and chains a lot easier to do. (The pastor or prayer team leader doesn’t have to stay up all night to cover the hours!)
6. It helps promote a Body/team concept. This isn’t tennis or golf (a one-on-one activity). Praying together as one Body promotes a team spirit.
7. It helps people recognize they are in a battle. I like the word picture of an army of intercessors—prayer wrestlers storming the gates and throne.
8. It helps develop community. As in Acts, when people pray together, they naturally come around and support each other.
9. It helps provide a “pool” of prospective prayer leaders. As your church expands into future prayer ventures, you will need to identify and train more leaders. The best way to do that is by praying together first.
10. It helps a church make an impact in the community. A praying church is a driving force in any city!
TIM McGARVEY is the senior pastor of First Alliance Church in Altoona, PA.
