This is such an important verse, God makes it rather important, as He states. “Pray without ceasing.” He does not say “maybe”, or “please,” or “if you have time,” of “if it is convenient.” But it’s actually in the style of a commandment. It is in the imperative, and it is just as imperative to our lives that we pray unceasingly.
Now the reason I bring this up is at my age of 74, I have taken this verse literally. I lead two different prayer groups at this time. One is the Intercessors for America where we pray each week over the needs of our nation, and there are so very many. I am actually filling in for our regular leader whose wife is experiencing a serious health issue. Now I can tell you 20 years ago if someone told me I’d be doing this I’d quake in my shoes. Praying out loud in a mixed group , men and women, would terrify me. I am so glad I got over that problem years ago. Actually, I love praying out loud in a group. It’s not that I am like hey, look at me I’m praying out loud. But it is dear Father, we need you so badly. It is just a group of needy brothers and sisters who are beseeching our Father to heal our nation. I have learned that the holy spirit puts a topic in your heart to pray about and I find when I open my mouth, he fills it with just the right words to say. Moving in His spirit is what makes praying in a group so wonderful. So I cannot get haughty with pride, because it isn’t me, it is Him all the way.
You would think that a city IFA group would have many prayer warriors eager to come together to bring their requests to God. But no. Even in this city of over 175, 000 we have never had more than 7 attend our Friday night evenings.
I have always wondered about that but I learned a thing about that several years ago. Five of my dearest friends and I went on a spiritual retreat to seek God about how He might use us for His kingdom, and Christians United to Pray was birthed. We were on fire to get the word out to the churches of our valley and start meeting. We had a fabulous song leader start our meetings with a wonderful song and then we would divide into groups of 7 to pray. We started with around 50 people from all over the valley. We met every month to pray for about 45 minutes after our music. After a year we were down to about 35. The third year it was about 20, the fourth year about 12. At the end of the fourth year , even though we maintained the 12, we all decided we would meet every other week.. but even at that the fervor was gone.
So after that fifth year, Christians United to Pray , ended and we five took a sabbatical of meeting together for a while. After a year or so, we 5 started meeting in each other’s homes to pray for each other and world events. And this has endured until now. We are a very close knit group who enjoy each other’s friendship, well, actually sisterhood, and we enjoy praying for each other, so much!And we have learned that there are about 20 very dedicated prayer warriors in our community. They show up at spiritual events. And it is lovely feeling.. this deep affection and connection we share. These days for about the last couple of years a state wide prayer emphasis was started in our state of Virginia. Influential Christian’s (governmental connections) from northern Virginia with deep concerns about the nation started a monthly prayer group that meets on a Friday here in our city to pray for the nation. There are meetings like these all over our state and even several states up and down the coast. Thus initiative is called America Pray Now. You might have this group prayer going on in your community. You can look it up online. But the very same folks who were coming to our prayer group come to these events.
It is wonderful that God has set aside certain people with a deep conviction to pray. I believe He puts this in many hearts but some haven’t been quickened yet. If you are feeling a desire to be a prayer partner in your community then activate. Very likely there is an Intercessors for America in your community, or America Pray Now, or more , other corporate prayer meetings going on right where you live. I can tell you for sure… they would be totally delighted if you showed up.
Pray warriors are needed all across our nation. The wonderful part is by just being there is enough. You sit right there and agree in prayer and never say a word except share your friendship . Many people come and never say a word, but by being there in agreement is a great way to become accustomed to being part of a prayer group. You would know when the Spirit is calling you to speak up. I pray that there would be many who decide to start obeying God’s word in unceasing prayer, even corporate prayer. If you never feel the call to join a prayer group, in the last couple of posts there are many examples given how and what to be praying about each day. While I am typing this I am listening to Jonathan Cahn and he just said, time is short.. and it is! More and more prayer is needed as we negotiate these dark days! God bless you, and activate!
