with Chip Ingram Corporate Prayer-How to Pray Effectively in Groups Series: The Incredible Journey – Part 5 Part I – A Personal Dilemma I. The Fact Corporate prayer is a divinely ordained means whereby God chooses to accomplish His highest purposes; manifesting “special power” and specific results as His people pray in “one accord.” • God Commanded It – Timothy 2:1-2,8; Colossians 4:2-4, 12, 13; Ephesians 6:18-20 • Christ Modeled It With His Disciples – Luke 11:1-9, 22:39-40, 45-46 • Paul Modeled It – Colossians 1:9-10; Ephesians 1:15-16 • The Early Church Practiced It – Act 1:14, 2:42, 4:23-24, 31, 12:5 13:1-2, 16:25-27, 20:36-37 • History Confirms it “When a number of Christians unite in prayer for a give person or objective, it is the uniform teaching of scripture that this brings special power into operation, for their gathering demonstrates that oneness that God delights to see and acknowledge. Did Jesus not pray? ‘Holy Father keep them in Thy name, the name which Thou hast given Me, that they may be one, even as We are.’” J. Oswald Chambers II. The Problem Praying in Groups Is Often a Struggle For Me • • My mind wanders. I get bored. 1 • • • • • • • • • I don’t feel close or a part of other’s prayers. I don’t sense we are really praying in “one accord”; it seems like we are talking on a “party line”. I think about what I am going to say when it is my turn instead of praying along with others silently. I get intimidated at other’s eloquence. I get irritated at others “long windedness”. I get frustrated when everyone “covers the same ground”. I find myself more concerned with what others think in the group than really talking with God. I find myself praying to please others or make them “feel great” instead of focusing on God and the request. I often don’t sense God’s power working in the group, but instead, corporate prayer feels tedious and obligatory. Part II – A Practical Solution or “How I Learned to Pray Out Loud” “The following is a method for praying in ‘one accord’ in small groups: ‘“praying aloud only one subject at a time, with one person praying aloud while the others in the group are praying silently on the same subject. There are six S’s, six simple rules to follow, whether one is a participant or a prayer group leader, a seasoned pray-er or a shy and untrained one. These six rules serve as effective tools to help a prayer group get started, to encourage newcomers, and to motivate timid people to pray aloud.”’ Evelyn Christensen, What Happens When Women Pray? 1. Subject by Subject (Acts 1:14) We pray aloud one subject at a time with our hearts and minds all focused on the same subject. 2. Short Prayers (Matthew 6:7-8) The acceptability of our prayers before God is not dependent upon the number of words we say. 3. Simple Prayers The prayer expressed from the heart is heard and answered by God no matter how simple it is. 4. Specific Prayers Being honest with God and asking Him specifically for what you need or desire is important in prayer. 2 5. Silent Periods (1 Kings 19:9-13) In silent periods, listen for God and allow Him to direct your prayers. 6. Small Groups (Matthew 18:20) When we come together in corporate prayer, Jesus promises to be there in a powerful way. “None can believe how powerful prayer is but those who have learned it by experience.” Martin Luther Small Group Prayer and Discussion Guidelines Tonight, we want to practice the prayer method that we talked about in class: 1. Each leader should quickly review the requests that your group will be praying about. 2. Begin with a short time of “silent confession”. 3. Pray for one another (You lead out on the first subject of prayer with a “sentence”. Give time for others to respond with a sentence prayer on the same subject). 4. Move on to the other requests until all have been prayed for. 5. There may be “silent periods” here and there during our prayers, but just relax and let the Holy Spirit lead. *As time allows, share any answers to prayer or additional requests to be added to your notebooks. Devotional Prayer Study Prayer in the Book of Acts 3 Read the following passage in Acts and the verses before and after them to get a sense for what was happening in each situation. Then next to each verse listed below, jot two to three words to describe when and why the were praying. THE TEXT • Acts 1:14 • Acts 2:42 • Acts 4:23-31 • Acts 12:5 • Acts 13:1-3 • Acts 16:25-27 • Acts 20:36-37 WHAT IS THE SITUATION WHAT LESSION IS THERE FOR ME? 1. How important was corporate prayer in the early church? 2. Who do you pray with on a regular basis 3. How could the “six S’s” of prayer be integrated in your prayer times with others? Living on the Edge  2003 www.lote.org 1-888-333-6003 PO Box 80069, Atlanta GA 30366 4