Yes, but how much, and how many?
Does it make
any difference how many pray, or is just one enough? And is one prayer enough, or should we pester
God till we get what we want?
Prayer can start with one, and if you’re
on your own that’s all you can do (e.g., Acts 9:11), but groups can often pray
better together. The Lord’s prayer
begins ‘Our Father; He spoke of gatherings of at least two or three; and
the early church prayed together (Mt 6:9; 18:20; Acts 1:14; 4:24; 12:12). Groups encourage, strengthen, help cover all
the bases, find agreement. And there’s
something helpful about meeting regularly too.
Prayer
isn’t just about getting what we want: Not my will, but yours..., Jesus prayed
– having asked three of his disciple to
watch with him (Mt 26:39). And we’re
promised answers to prayers ‘in Jesus’ name’, with faith that what we ask is
actually God’s will (Mt 21:22; Jn 14:13).
As for how long we should pray, Jesus encourages perseverance: ask,
seek, knock. And he himself responded to
the urgent persistence of a worried Mum (Lk 11:9; Mt 15:22). Prayer is not a rite, a formula, a handle to
crank God into action. It’s an
expression to him of longing and deep caring, like that Mum.
When God’s Spirit gives us a heart
for something, then a lifetime of seeking prayer isn’t too long, and will not
be disregarded. What do you long for in
your church, or circuit? What has the
Lord given you a heart for? Who else
could you team up with to get what God wants?
Roy Lorrain-Smith
A prayer for each week
Father God, thank you for prayer
– that we can speak with you at any time and from any place. Please help us to make more use of it, and always
to be in when you call, just as you are with us. Amen.
Father God, thank you for others
in our fellowship who’re prayer oriented, talking with you and listening. Please help us to explore together the
privilege of prayer, and so praise you in practice. Amen.
Father God, thank you for
revealing to us what you want, in this world
and in us. Please help us to pray your
will into being, trusting your promises, set out in your Word and shared by
your Spirit. Amen.
Father God, thank you for the
dimension of everlasting, into which you fit all our times. As, day by day, we come before your throne in
prayer, please help us to see things through your eyes, and trust. Amen.
Father God, thank you for showing
us, through Jesus, that you are real, loving, forgiving, holy, and yet
approachable. Please help us to come to
you boldly, in the name of Jesus, for the help we need. Amen.
Your own prayers
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