Based on Luke 18:1-8 MEMORY TEXT: “Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way” (1 Samuel 12:23). Praying together will bring unity, and this unity should be expressed in the words we use. To use a negative illustration, look at the words to many of the songs we sing in church week by week. The pronouns used are often “You” (referring to God) and “I” (meaning me). That sounds as though there were just two persons involved in worship. Try this little experiment: suggest to the person leading the singing that each time the word "I" is used, the congregation will sing "we," and each time the word "me" is used, the congregation will sing "us." I believe you will find the result to be electrifying. You see, when we come together to worship, we come in the door as “I”, but once inside I am no longer a singular “I” but I am “we” and “us.” How can 500 people sing praise to God at the same time in the same place using the pronoun “I”? This concept is even more important when it comes to prayer. When we pray together we should use the pronoun "we" rather than "I." Notice that when Jesus taught us to pray, He instructed us to say, "Our Father." Why not "my Father"? The use of the word "our" rules out any thoughts of selfishness or exclusiveness. When I pray alone, He is "my Father;" but when we pray together, He is "our Father." “When in the congregation you offer prayer, remember that you are addressing God, and that He desires you to speak so that all who are present can hear and can blend their supplications with yours. A prayer uttered so hurriedly that the words are jumbled together, is no honor to God and does the hearers no good. Let ministers and all who offer public prayer learn to pray in such a way that God will be glorified and the hearers will be blessed. Let them speak slowly and distinctly, and in tones loud enough to be heard by all, so that the people may unite in saying Amen” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, pp. 380-383). Choose a prayer partner and pray together as often as possible. |