A Community of Prayer
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (I Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Jesus has opened the door to intimacy with God. Through prayer we actively participate in that intimacy. Prayer is a two-way dialog with God. We bring ourselves to God along with our needs, desires, and concerns for the people and the world around us. God responds and answers our prayer through his Holy Spirit by means of intervention, Scripture, the community of believers, or some form of direct communication (words of knowledge, dreams, vision, etc.). We share our lives with God and he unfolds himself to us.
Our intercession plays an active role in the world. We have been allowed to pray with Jesus’ authority when we pray in his name and according to his purpose. “Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:19, 20) This is not a blank check. God will not be manipulated to act unwisely or outside his purpose, but it is the promise that our prayers are heard and responded to.
We follow Jesus’ example and make consistent, private time in our lives for prayer. We also follow Scriptures example and practice corporate prayer in both large and small groups.
Our prayers have several purposes as represented in the Lords Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13). These include worship, intercession for God’s work in the world, supplication for our needs, confession and forgiveness, and strength and protection.
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