Connecting to God and Each Other Through Prayer

Think about when someone comes to you with a prayer request. Perhaps it concerns health, a job, or a family member. Often such requests come at inconvenient times – times when we are distracted or hurried. Too often our “I’ll pray about it” is forgotten as soon as we turn away. It isn’t intentional, but it does happen.

Prayer is Central Personally

Prayer is a central component in the life of any growing Christian. If fact, it is probably impossible to grow without prayer. Prayer is to the spiritual life what breathing is to the physical life. We must commune with God in prayer. To ignore prayer in a real way is to ignore God.

The scripture is filled with teaching on prayer. Here are a few examples:

“Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.” Ephesians 6:18

“Pray constantly.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17

“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Matthew 5:44

“Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.” Matthew 9:38

“Then He [Jesus] told them a parable on the need for them to pray always and not become discouraged.” Luke 18:1

“Therefore, I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument.” 1 Timothy 2:8¹

Over and over again, we are exhorted to pray.

Prayer is Central Corporately

We are given examples of believers praying together in both the Old and New Testaments. Prayer is central not only to individual Christians, but to gatherings of believers, also. “If our purpose as a church were simply to socialize, we could thrive on our own steam. But the church is the body of Christ on assignment to accomplish the greatest mission the world has ever known. Plus, we have a vicious enemy trying to defeat us at every turn…For these reasons and more, we need prayer.”²

It is important that churches organize for prayer. Church leadership cannot leave prayer to chance. Those things that are emphasized by leaders are considered important to those in the church. Prayer cannot be overlooked.

This is why I am encouraging churches to turn one entire Sunday morning service into a prayer gathering. We did this last fall at Cross Church and it was powerful. I know many churches have done the same. Consider doing the same and if interested, take a minute to read these suggestions I wrote earlier about this very thing.

As we gather to pray, our hearts are drawn together in pursuit of God. Few times do we bear each other’s burdens more frequently or more purposefully than when we pray together. Calling out to God, hearing the passion in each other’s voice, rejoicing in prayers answered; all of these are benefits of praying together.

Prayer is Central Continuously

When we gather and hear the words, “Let us pray,” we should allow them to remind us of all included in that simple phrase. God is with us when we pray and we are, in deep abiding ways, with each other.

This is why we must move into a season of practicing extraordinary prayer. Please consider this in your life and fellowship. Extraordinary prayer is essential to the next Great Awakening.

I am so convinced of this, that as President of the Southern Baptist Convention, I am calling us to JOIN THE MOVEMENT and become intentional daily praying for the next Great Awakening to happen across America and for the world to be reached for Christ. Please join us in this movement that was launched yesterday and share it with others.

Yours for the Great Commission,

Ronnie W. Floyd

Senior Pastor, Cross Church
General Editor, Bible Studies for Life
President, Southern Baptist Convention

¹– All scripture Holman Christian Standard Bible
²– Bible Studies for Life, Connected, Dr. Thom Rainer