Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- September 17, 2010
“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 come together in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:19-20
Effective radical prayer engages the hearts of men and women, teenagers and young adults, boys and girls. Solo prayer invites the ear of the Lord, but group prayer purifies prayer. In a group of devoted disciples God’s will is established and boldly petitioned to heaven. Prayer support from a small group gives confidence, direction and determination.
For example—the righteous—fervent prayer for those outside the faith is an effective way to draw them to within the faith. There is no doubt hell shutters when heavenly supplications seek to snatch lost souls from eternal damnation. The Holy Spirit hovers over prayer meetings motivated to glorify the Lord and save sinners. Group prayer ignites eternity.
“After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly” (Acts 4:32).
We pray and praise God, but Christ converts. The pressure is not on Christians to make Christians, but to pray for hearts to be pricked by God’s Spirit, converted and born into the Kingdom of God. The Lord uses prayer to soften sinners, so the soil of their heart moistens and seeds of truth take root. Pray without ceasing for Jesus to save lost souls.
“Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:46-47).
The local church is a natural location to lean into the Lord in small group prayer. Also, our homes can be a sanctuary of supplication to Christ, with other liked minded believers. So it begs a question, “Are you engaged in effective prayer with other followers of Jesus?” Prayer is a team sport, it’s not meant for us to only linger alone with the Lord.
We all need prayer and we need to pray for others. It is a Holy Spirit initiated prayer movement that moves cultures and communities toward God. Perhaps we complain less to each other and pray more with each other. When we humble ourselves together before God, He hears, He answers and He heals. Effective prayers mobilize the Body of Christ.
“You will have complete and free access to God’s kingdom, keys to open any and every door: no more barriers between heaven and earth, earth and heaven. A yes on earth is yes in heaven. A no on earth is no in heaven” (Matthew 16:19, The Message).
Does Christ capture my heart in radical prayer with a small group of believers in Jesus?
Related Readings: 2 Chronicles 5:13; 7:14; 1Corinthians 5:4; James 5:16
Boyd Bailey is the author of Wisdom Hunters daily devotional and two devotional books, Infusion and Seeking Daily the Heart of God
