This spring we had a handful of men and women meeting in groups of 2 to pray together. Every week or every other week these people would schedule a time to meet, often in person but sometimes over the phone to pray together. They didn’t spend a lot time catching up on the week. They met and they prayed and while they prayed they were “catching up with one another” through prayer.
Over the next 12-months our church family is inviting everyone to make a commitment of INCREASED IN PRAYER, so that we can see our faith in Jesus grow bolder and more confident.
We are taking this challenge as a church in Austin because we are a highly independent people. We value our space and autonomy. And as a result, we often forget that it takes community to see the fullness of life. We need people to rub against our thoughts and our character to help us learn and grow.
Individual prayer is important. But there is something special about praying with the body of Christ. The two work together and the Bible reveals unique things that happen when we pray with others:
What does communal prayer do in our lives? Here are four results of communal prayer and what it does for our individual and collective faith.
- Communal prayer broadens our perspectives. Among fellow Christians, we explore a diverse range of global needs. Unique perspectives and concerns emerge, highlighting issues we hadn’t thought about alone. This broadens our prayers, embracing more circumstances and people. Our empathy and intercession deepen, unveiling often-overlooked matters.
- Communal prayer broadens our appreciation. When praying together, gratitude expands. We aid each other in spotting beauty and grace in unnoticed places. Witnessing others’ appreciation for life’s small wonders enhances our own. Our gratitude for God’s abundant gifts grows. Shared thankfulness becomes a celebration of His goodness, fostering unity and joy.
- Communal prayer transform our attitudes. Praying together confronts our need for repentance through the vulnerability of confession. In this safe space, we are reminded of our imperfections and our eternal need for Christ and forgiveness together. Confession becomes a medium for transformation as we find the courage to confront and address our brokenness, fostering grace and understanding among fellow Christians.
- Communal prayer strengthens our lament. Through prayer, we face the challenges of this world together. We provide solace and reassurance that we are not alone in our grief in the darkest of times. Instead, united through the blood of Christ we lean on each other to find strength in our shared journey, knowing that the Holy Spirit guides and uplifts us. We navigate the challenges together, holding onto our shared belief that God’s love and grace will sustain us and bring us comfort.
It may seem overwhelming, to think about starting to pray with a group of people. Don’t worry, you already have all the pieces: people around you, prayers to offer God, and a space to do it.
Go ahead, find 1-2 other people and commit to praying together in person on Sunday morning for a month or over the phone every week for 3-months. It can look different for everyone, as long as we are finding space and time to pray together.
North Village Church
This article was written by Pastor Michael Dennis, Lead Pastor at North Village Church; a non-denominational church in Austin, TX, established in 2009 and built around Jesus and Bible teaching.
Are you looking for a church in Austin? At North Village Church we put Jesus at the center of our church family. We worship together every Sunday at 10:30am, encourage Christ centered fellowship through groups, and host special events such as Bible studies and Theological Training, to ensure that we are rooted in in God’s Word. We also serve our local community in association with several Austin based organizations.
North Village Church is made up of professionals, married couples, singles, and families who are wanting to experience the life-transforming power of Jesus. If you are a family with children or teens, we can support you with either or both our Kids Ministry and Youth Ministry.
Check out our North Village Church calendar highlights such as our Christmas Eve Service in Austin and Easter Sunday Service.
You are welcome to contact us if you would like more information, please call (512)-623-9272 or email [email protected]
NVC Online
Unable to attend this Christian Church in Austin? Don’t worry, because, through God’s provision, we have created NVC online, an Online Church streaming a worship service every Sunday from 10:30am Central Time. You can also watch our short, powerful sermons on demand and follow us on Instagram for daily Christ centered content.
Photo by Ismael Paramo on Unsplash
Recent Comments