Praying in concert is powerful, not because it helps us get what we want, but because together we move toward the heart of God—both as individuals and as the body of Christ. Today we are going to look at the prayer forms that call us together.
Most of the time we stick with what we know because let’s be honest, it’s just easier, but easier isn’t always the best way to go. When I was younger I was obsessed with finding a groove, because there is less resistance in the places already cleared out. You know what I mean, right? Well, while it’s true, finding a good rhythm can be helpful, I have also learned that the groove can become a rut or a ditch. What I’m saying, is that there needs to be a fine balance in practicing what’s familiar and what is new.
Praying in concert can incorporate many different prayer forms and I think it’s good that we learn about them, so we mix things up a bit. I love how this verse illustrates that point.
“When you meet together, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, as you praise the Lord with all your heart.” Ephesians 5:19
Prayer is worship. It is a vehicle into the presence of God, which can be spoken or sung. The exhortation to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, pushes us to step outside of what feels comfortable. All three are necessary as we lean in a little closer.
Praying in concert calls us together to experience and encounter the wonder of God. In order to go deeper, we have to move outside of what feels comfortable. New things cause us to be more attentive. So, let’s dig into the different prayer forms that we can use when we pray together.
Fixed Hour Prayer
Fixed hour prayer is a great prayer form discipline that can facilitate praying in concert. While it may not be convenient to stop three times for a prayer meeting, we can practice the habit of stopping and praying together at the same time.
Many people practice this prayer form every day when they pray before their daily meals. Fixed hour prayer is so much more than that, but stopping to recognize God before we eat helps us develop an attitude of gratitude. What would it look like if we stepped that up and began to cultivate the practice?
About a year ago, I began watching a television program called, “Call the Midwife.” It’s set in a poor district of London, starting back in the ’50s, telling the story of the mid-wives and the Anglican nuns who also served as mid-wives to this broken, post-war community. Story content aside, the most striking thing that stands out is this practice of fixed-hour prayer. The nuns meet daily together in the chapel to pray at a fixed time.
Do you know who else practiced fixed-hour prayer? Daniel.
“But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God.” Daniel 6:10
Fixed hour prayer is a disciplined form that calls us to stop and give thanks. We can pray together, whether we gather as a group, or as individuals gather at the fixed time.
Liturgical Prayer
I grew up in the Anglican Church of Canada, so I am very familiar with liturgical prayer forms. In fact, there are certain phrases that still trigger the rote responses that are so deeply buried in memory. I am profoundly thankful for this rich faith heritage, because of the scripture woven relentlessly and so thoroughly through every single prayer.
The thing is, I know a lot of people who are put off by this form of prayer. I get it because rote prayers can be dry and empty if we don’t engage our heart, but I want to underscore the beauty of these written prayers, designed for the Church to pray together.
Liturgical prayer forms make praying in concert together easier. There is rhythm and a pattern and the people come together like the instruments of the orchestra, forming a beautiful offering of worship. While prayer is deeply personal and intimate, it is also corporate.
When we come together, praying in concert, bringing our praise, confession, intercession, and thanksgiving, it creates a powerful movement in the spirit realm. There is a stirring and empowering that happens for the surrendered heart in this place; an exhortation and impartation that rises up through the prophetic nature of these scripture filled prayers.
Praying in concert inspires encouragement and has a way of emboldening the soul to be brave and courageous. It’s a powerful discipline that should not be dismissed simply because it can feel stale. Dig deeper and engage your heart, because there is so much more. Consider visiting a liturgical church service and be open to allowing yourself to be led in prayer rather than being the one who leads.
Praying Scripture
This prayer form is really powerful, particularly in the context of intercession for a breakthrough. While we can certainly pray scripture in the quiet prayer closets at home, it can be used in the context of intercession and inner healing prayer.
“For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” Hebrews 4:12
God meets with us in his word. He speaks, directs, reveals, and corrects, with every living word. As we’ve already discussed, prayer is about communion with the Father, so when we pray the words of the Father, what we are doing is declaring trust and belief in what God has spoken.
Praying scripture together opens the way for breakthrough, guidance, surrender, and obedience. When we do it together we can support and encourage one another as we follow the word of God into the more. This prayer form works best when we allow the word of God to inform our hearts rather than allowing the heart to leverage the word of God for personal desire. Praying in concert helps keep us accountable.
Praying in Concert through Intercessory Prayer
“Intercessory prayer invites us into God’s care and concern for us, our families and friends, and the entire world. No concern is too trivial for God to receive with loving attention…it is a way we become aware of God’s prayer for a person and join in that intercession.” 1.
Most of us are familiar with this prayer form because it is firmly grounded in all church traditions. In fact, Jesus tells us to bring our petitions to the Father—and so we do.
We gather together, bringing requests and petitions, and then we pray.
“I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.” Matthew 18:19-20
Praying in concert through intercessory prayer can look incredibly different depending on the gathering. Intercession is woven into liturgical prayer, free form charismatic prayer meetings, and everything in between. The power of this prayer form is not in its various expressions, but rather the heart position of those gathered.
Scripture says that when we are unified together and with Christ, God will do it. Intimacy with God is required for intercession in order to see the world through His eyes, other-wise we risk using petitions personal gain.
Prayer is a gift from God that leads us into a deeper relationship. When we catch a glimpse of his heart, agree with it, and pray from that place, revelation begins to spill out. The spirit leads from His vantage point, directing us in our intercession to the purposes and will of God, our Father, who knows all, sees it all and holds it all.
Conversational Prayer
I love conversational prayer, especially in small group settings. When I was a kid, we used to call this “Popcorn Prayer!” Praying in concert can be intimidating, especially if you’ve never done it before or if you are praying with seasoned prayer warriors who pray long and hard.
I was taught a simple way, which was extremely helpful in those early days. Begin with one sentence of thanksgiving and one sentence of supplication. Keep it simple and straight to the point. It’s not that we can pray more, but when we are praying in concert we should be mindful of the entire group.
The idea of conversational prayer is that it’s casual—not in an irreverent way, but in an intimate way. God refers to himself as our Father, which is a highly relational attribute. While there are some parental relationships that are broken and stiff, God is not. He exceeds every human experience and establishes the standard, and it’s good because He is good.
Conversational prayer will look different in every gathering because it will reflect the personality of those gathered together. It’s helpful to remember that like all corporate gatherings, we must extend grace, love, and honor to those participating, encouraging one another and having each other’s back. Vulnerability will only happen where there is trust.
Prayer Partners
Prayer partners are another method of praying in concert. It ties in the idea of “where two or three are gathered” with intercession and really any combination of the others.
My husband and I have been in Pastoral leadership for over 23 years and we know well the importance of having prayer partners. Actually, we have a team of people, with whom we partner for prayer because we have learned the value and wisdom that comes forth out of that prayer collective.
The practice of praying with a partner is pretty simple. It can be done by physically meeting, meeting at a fixed time, or praying in agreement over the shared concern—which could be personal or global.
My mother is an amazing example to me of this particular form of prayer. I’ve been out of the house for 26 years, but it still makes me smile when we’re chatting on the phone and she says, “I’m so sorry. I need to let you go because Phyllis is here—we’re going to read scripture and pray.” They’ve been doing this since I was 15 years old.
I know, over the years, these two women have interceded on my behalf a fair bit, I also know they have prayed for their city, for local government, for family, for their pastors, for missionaries, and for those affected by a disaster, war, and disease. Prayer partners help us stay accountable to the call, to meet with God, know his heart and pray from that place of intimacy with the Father.
Praying in Concert for the more of God
Okay, I can’t say this enough—prayer is not duty or obligation—it’s the way of intimacy. That said, I also know it’s hard to hold that truth upfront. My head knows it, but my heart still struggles to grasp the fullness of what that really means. I mean, I know it, but bringing my heart into the discipline is another whole matter.
As I’ve been studying these prayer forms and leaning into it all with the Father, I have experienced a deeper awareness and conviction, to dig deeper into the practice of praying in concert for the more of God. This revelation, however, is only as good as my resolve to step into the process of cultivating what the Lord has spoken.
Can I be honest and vulnerable with you?
I was a little surprised at the discovery that I have settled into an easy groove. It wasn’t my intent, but somewhere along the line it just became easier to follow the same path to the heart of God. As I look at some of these rich prayer forms, I am inspired to step out of what is familiar and allow the spirit of God to awaken my soul as he leads me to his heart through new forms and patterns of prayer. I hope you have been encouraged and inspired, too.
Just in case you missed a post, here are the links to the whole series!
Why we pray matters and how one little adjustment changes everything.
What to pray: 7 simple kinds of prayer
Prayer forms and the way we meet with God
Next week, marks the final week in this prayer series. I am putting together a collection of resources—prayers, books, worship music—all to help in this journey to pursue the heart of the Father. I’d love hearing your comments—tell me about your experiences and thoughts on prayer!