As I read the barrage of headlines of beheadings, persecution of Christians, and evil against children and women, I wonder how actively and consistently we are gathering together to pray. Of all the spiritual disciplines, prayer has the greatest potential to move the needle in God’s kingdom. If that’s true, why don’t more Christians form weekly prayer groups? Think boldly with me. What would our world look like if all believers around the globe made it a top priority to gather weekly and pray? Wouldn’t our world be a better place to live?

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When I committed to teach a Sunday school class in May 2011, I asked God to raise up a prayer team for me. I needed a group of women who would commit themselves to pray with me on a weekly basis for this teaching ministry. He responded by bringing me two women who felt God calling them to join with me. Thursday evenings have been the highlight of my week for over three years. We have seen God answer our prayers in miraculous ways, which fuels our commitment to protect our prayer time.

Listen to Jesus’s invitation to us. He says, “I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 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 gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matt 18:18-20)

Jesus is describing a physical gathering. The Greek word for “gather” is “sunagō,” which means to “assemble, or convene, or come together.” He is suggesting that we should have a prayer partner or two and dedicate our time to meet together and “agree about anything we ask for, and it will be done for us.” Jesus made prayer attractive by not restricting what we can pray for, purposely leaving it wide open so we can pray as boldly as we dare. Additionally, He makes it clear that He desires to join us! I often picture Him sitting in an empty chair with our prayer group.

I don’t think He’s a casual observer. I believe He’s there as our Chief Priest. He takes a vested interest in what we pray for. He makes sure that He intercedes for us before our Father to answer our prayers in accordance to His will. It is Christ’s active participation in our gathering and the power of the Holy Spirit that allows us to move the needle in God’s kingdom to make great things happen that glorify Him.

If the above is true, why don’t all believers jump at the opportunity to be in His presence and make things happen?!

• Perhaps we are shortsighted in our vision. Do we really understand that we have the ability to “bind and loose things on earth?” We can exercise our authority over things that are not legitimate and “loose” the things that are.

• Perhaps we have let the world of media distract us. We are tempted to say, “We don’t have time to meet once a week for prayer.” However, look at the amount of time we spend in front of a television or a mobile device mainly for entertainment. It’s staggering. Surely we can sacrifice one hour a week and redirect it to a prayer gathering!

• Perhaps we rationalize why gathering together for prayer isn’t necessary. After all, doesn’t He hear us pray “in agreement” even though we may not be sitting in the same room at the time we prayed? Sure. In fact, many of you pray regularly. Some of you are considered prayer warriors by your family and friends. That’s all good, but Jesus is still inviting us to “gather” in His name so He can join us, intercede for us, and answer our prayers.

What if every believer chose not to let any excuse stand in the way? Can you imagine how much we could move the needle to bring God’s grace and peace into a world filled with darkness?!

What would inspire you to take Jesus up on His offer? Could you find at least one or two people who will pray with you on a weekly basis? The most powerful thing we will ever do in our lives is get on our knees before our Father to pray. My prayer team “agreed” with a spirit of boldness that God would call all believers to form a prayer team, which includes you. Now is the time! Are you willing to move the needle in God’s kingdom through prayer?

Blessings,

Lee Ann