Monday, April 25, 2011

Why Corporate Prayer?


Fasted Lifestyle Lesson #6
The Corporate Prayer Reality


"Why do I need to come to the House of Prayer? Can't I just pray at home?"
You have all heard someone say that I'm sure, as I have. We all understand there are seasons of hiding in the secret place, but mostly believers need to be together in Radical Prayer Community. Last week as I was praying in the prayer room for our House of Prayer Community, I was refreshed with the following corporate revelation.

When I look back at my Christian life highlights, some of the most significant encounters with God happened when I was praying with other believers.

When I was 19 years old, I was at youth worship team rehearsal, and we all held hands and prayed, just like we did every week. That week however, the Spirit of God showed up, and there was much groaning, weeping, singing, and praying into the late hours of the night. I was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues for the first time. It was life changing, I've never been the same since.

When I was 20 years old, I was attending Bethany College, and there was a little prayer room under the sanctuary I frequented. One night I was burning to pray and went down there, and another girl showed up and joined me. I was having a good time with Jesus, but when she came in and joined me, whoa, the Spirit got thick in that room. We were walking, jumping, singing, shouting, praying in tongues, you name it. The really neat thing is I didn't really know her that well before that night, but after spending hours in prayer together, it was like we were spiritually connected. Every time I saw her after that around campus or wherever, I hugged on her like she was my best friend, I felt so incredibly close to her.
"Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour." Acts 3:1
When I was 21 years old, I began attending Harvest House Church, wow, had to breath in for a second. During the first year and two that Johnny and I were attending we had these special mid-week Thursday night meetings. They were the kind of meetings the 'hungry' came to. The Spirit of God moved so strongly in those meetings, I looked forward to them all week long
"And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness." Acts 4:31
At the House of Prayer, we talk a lot about the "Secret Place" and that is vital in our walk with God to be developing our "Secret Place" life, but if we are crying out for a Regional Revival or Move of God in our city, we need to gather together and pray corporately.

Someone visited IHOP-Kansas City one time, a well-known church leader, and said to Mike Bickle, "Wow! You guys are really going for it here! I mean you are RADICAL! You've got this huge staff all praying, fasting, in the Word..." I think he caught himself at that point. When Mike tells that story, he chuckles and reflects how we have lost sight of the most important "program", meeting together in fasting and prayer!

As I mentioned in a previous blog post, The Camaraderie Creed, we need to see one another in prayer. Praying together in the same room! This is the very foundation of our commitment to Christ and a Christ-like lifestyle.
"For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20
-gina

11 comments:

  1. I LOVE what you've done with your blog! I love the font and the lighter colored music player. Hey, I am your featured blog and I didn't even know it! Ha ha!

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  2. This is a great post. My life has changed dramatically since coming to Convergence. You probably saw Max and I there last Wednesday. I want to make it there more regularly because I am beginning to see the benefit of corporate prayer. It's been an adjustment to drive 20 minutes to church on Sunday morning when we used to attend Saturday evening service. Then the expectation to attend once a week for a two-hour prayer meeting is even more of an adjustment. It's a higher calling, for certain, but why wouldn't I want to grow closer to my God and his people?

    Thanks Gina!

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  3. Hi Gina, I found your blog via Barbie. I look forward to reading more of your writing. I can easily see your passion for God from what I read thus far.

    God bless,
    Wnada

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  4. @Barbie, thanks so much for the encouragement! You certainly have been an influence and support to me!

    @Emiliana, yes, it is a big commitment, and a different lifestyle. It's walking anew for many, but like you said, a higher calling, taking our faith beyond our once a week meeting to a lifestyle of prayer community. Its changed my life!

    @Wanda, thank you so much for coming over to my blog and reading my post. Its great to have you!!

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  5. Hi Gina,
    I came over from Barbies blog and I must say I felt the Spirit jump inside as I read this post! Great words and so very true!

    We just had a weekend conference with Heidie Baker and Sean Feucht from IHOP Kansas City. It was amazing and no one wanted to leave.

    Prayer in the secret place is very important but so is corporate prayer.

    Blessings,
    <><

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  6. i love your new layout on your blog! i agree with barbie that the lighter background is so fresh and i love your button. i will add it to my page.

    we were just talking in our sunday school class last week about the importance of gathering together for corporate prayer as one of our team was teaching out of the book of joel. there is something special about the secret time, but things explode when we come together with a common goal in prayer.

    hope to see you guys up here when luke is in town if it works for you to come!

    my recent post: when expectations come crashing down

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  7. Hi Gina, I came over from Barbie's blog as well. I am always encouraged and excited to find a sister in Christ who shares her passion for Christ and for corporate prayer.
    I also enjoyed your "about Gina" post. I had a very similar experience to yours.
    Blessings,
    Nena ~ www.battlemindblog.blogspot.com

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  8. What a wonderful post! I was raised in a church where prayer was very formal and stiff. It is only now that I am beginning to feel comfortable in prayer. I truly wish something like what you've described existed near me!

    I look forward to getting to know you better!

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  9. Hi Gina! I came over here from Barbies blog...It's nice to meet you! It is awesome how God's Holy Spirit works through prayer!

    Living for Him, Joan

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  10. Wow! thank you everyone for all the encouragement! I so appreciate the community! I am excited to get to know new blogs too!

    @Charis, thanks friend! I made my button myself! I was pretty stoked I figured it out! Im having so much fun!

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  11. I totally agree. It would be interesting to see from the Bible the results of corporate intercession. It is both life giving and life changing.

    Nice change on the blog btw :-)

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