Document 6503847

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.”
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God Commanded It – Timothy 2:1-2,8; Colossians 4:2-4, 12, 13;
Ephesians 6:18-20
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Christ Modeled It With His Disciples – Luke 11:1-9, 22:39-40, 45-46
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Paul Modeled It – Colossians 1:9-10; Ephesians 1:15-16
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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
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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
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My mind wanders.
I get bored.
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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.
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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
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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
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Acts 1:14
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Acts 2:42
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Acts 4:23-31
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Acts 12:5
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Acts 13:1-3
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Acts 16:25-27
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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?
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