Jesus
assured his followers of his presence and the power that would mean as they met
together.
Mat 18:20 “For where two or three come together in my name, I am there
with them."
In the
previous verse Jesus had emphasized the power of agreement in prayer. This is
also a great promise, but one that is often abused. There is so much more to
effective prayer than a handful of sinful believers agreeing on what they think
should happen.
Mat 18:19 "And I tell you more: whenever
two of you on earth agree about anything you pray for, it will be done for you
by my Father in heaven.”
Jesus tells
us so much more about what is necessary for effective prayer. His words are expanded
in the teachings of the writers of the early letters in the New Testament. It
is enough to know at this point that Jesus seeks unity among his followers so
that their prayers will have the power to fight evil in this world.
The Bible
study group, the Sunday School class, must teach its participants the importance
of prayer. This is done through Bible study. It is also done through practice.
We were not called to study prayer as necessary as that may be. We were called
to practice prayer, use prayer, and communicate with our heavenly Father
through prayer. Prayer is the lifeline between child and Father, servant and
Master.
In the small
group the participants can learn to trust one another. Trust is the foundation
for honest and vulnerable prayer. In our times of solitary prayer, no one hears
but God. In a time of sharing with one other individual, the intimacy is held
between just two people. In a small group setting there are more minds
listening. There is a great variety of background experiences through which we
see the prayer concerns of others.
These
background experiences will shape how we respond to the revelations in our
group. We must be sympathetic and compassionate. We may be tempted to be
judgmental and critical. We can never let this happen as we are all sinners in
need of God’s grace. In a spirit of supportive prayer, the members of a small
group must be willing to listen and seek the will of the Spirit of God and not
an answer according to a personal agenda.
As this
openness and vulnerability are practiced within the group, trust is developed.
Every individual is seen to be equal in light of their need for God’s
intervention through strength and forgiveness. Joining together in group prayer
creates a bond among the members as all realize we stand equal before God.
In group
prayer praise becomes a corporate activity. The people of God become
worshippers through their praise of who God is and how he has revealed himself
in creation and especially through his Son Jesus Christ. The group uses prayer
to praise God for what he has done in the life of each individual and for the
Body of Christ, the Church.
The Bible
study group intercedes for each individual member through the use of corporate
prayer. One person’s need is lifted up by multiple individuals. Prayer for the
individual takes on an added dimension as others reveal they have the same
need. God’s intervention is sought for all with a particular concern.
Though more
is needed to make prayer in unity effective, that unity is vital. Members of
the group all seek the will of God through humbled and vulnerable hearts. The
group confesses its own weakness to meet the needs of others. The group seeks
the wisdom of God, the strength of God, and the grace of God.
In all this
the individual sees the need for a dependency upon the power of God to face
each day and everything that day may bring. When the group confesses the need
for prayer, the individual sees the need on a personal level. Then the power of
prayer becomes more effective for all.
