(Lisa Robinson)
This is a melange of thoughts on prayer, with a specific focus on corporate prayer, expectation in prayer and unanswered prayer. I’ve been reading through Talking To God: What the Bible Teaches About Prayer, by Thomas Constable. It is a solid work on a biblical theology of prayer. He notes some common misconceptions regarding prayer, one of which is the often misinterpreted passage in Matthew 18:19-20 and the idea that there is something ‘magical’ about corporate praying. He writes
This passage promises God’s presence when his people assemble, particularly in situations regarding church discipline. It does not promise God’s presence only when we assemble. God is always with his children (cf. Matthew 28:20). The dynamics of a group situation may generate new ideas and enthusiasm as people pray together. Moreover, the fact that many people have united to pray about a situation also shows God that many, rather than just a few, feel the need for what they request. Prayer meetings are a good idea, but we should not overestimate their power. (pg 159)
I agree with this assessment that gathering together does not conjure up the presence of God more so than individual prayer. But I think he might be downplaying the significance of corporate prayer. Even though he does acknowledge “It is a normal, divinely approved activity for people of like mind to pray together (Daniel 2:17-18; Acts 4:23-24; 12:12)”, there is something special about corporate prayer. It represents a uniting of the community of faith that is not present with individual prayer. I believe it demonstrates to God that the people gathered take being the body of Christ, in which members join together, serious. Corporate prayer honors God.
Regarding expectation, I came across this wonderful blog post entitled That’s What Prayers Are For. The author addresses a commonly recited sentiment embodied in this quote “the function of prayer is not to influence God, but rather to change the nature of the one who prays.” He says it is a cop out and I agree. What is the purpose of prayer without an expectation that God will intervene into lives and situations for the sake of his kingdom? He notes
…Every single time in the entire Bible that we read about prayer, or see someone praying, the whole point is to invoke God to break into a world that seems to be running amok and to redirect it for God’s glory and the good of God’s people (which, incidentally, are inseparable)…The idea that we pray only to be transformed ourselves is the profession of a defeated people. It’s the theological excuse of a people whose prayers are weak, or go unanswered. And rather than wrestle with God or continue to confess the truth about prayer as it should be, we create a theological legitimation of our own lack, of God’s own absence.
That might sound a bit harsh, but I think it is true. That is not to say that prayer does not help transform thinking and foster conformity to the will of God. But there also ought to be expectation when praying specifically for God to intervene. The hard part of that is unanswered prayers. Any one who has experienced unanswered prayers knows the tension that exists between hope and despair, mingled with frustration and yes, maybe even defeat. This is especially true if you’ve prayed for a certain outcome and it didn’t happen the way you prayed, e.g. that loved one does not get better but dies. It can be the severest test of faith to still trust that God hears and answers that next prayer, especially when that nagging doubt nips in your ears.
But I also believe that unanswered prayer forces an internal examination that would probably not exist if answers came readily or circumstances always worked out in our favor. It forces a purging and a pruning. In short, it can be very disciplinary and downright discouraging. Admittedly, I’ve gone through an extended period of unanswered prayers, such as I have not experienced before and it’s been in the context of some pretty hefty and painful challenges. I have battled and endured a boatload of discouragement. Yet, I am forced to determine where my allegiance lies and in whom will I trust in the light of apparent contradictions. It has been rough but I still hope, still pray, still expect, even if at times by a thread.
In all this, I do believe prayer is a not only a privilege for the Christian but a necessity. Without communion with Him who called us out of darkness and into the kingdom of His dear Son, we would quickly succumb to being a defeated and hopeless people. I can only commend to pray and not lose heart and to be like the persistent widow who kept knocking (Luke 18:1-7).
9 replies to "On Corporate Prayer, Hope and Expectation"
Lisa,
Great reminder and also the foremost issue our church deals with. We are one of the few (I’ve heard) that still has a weekly prayer meeting. Ours is on Sunday evening. We typically have about 15% of our congregation there and we always encourage, plead, and beg for more believers to attend. Our pastor constantly reminds us from the pulpit about the power of corporate prayer but the reality is what most American churches experience, anemic gatherings and little interest. We gauge the health of our church by this but also realize that those with young families have busy lives. It is difficult to say the least even getting those who have no hinderences, but they also have no desire. Our understanding is that churches are abandoning this “archaic” meeting in favor of more relavent ways of spending time together. May the Lord have mercy on us as we turn our backs on the neglected means that He has chosen to grow and bless our churches.
I recommend A Praying Life by Paul Miller. An excellent book on how prayer can change us and our world. It’s revolutionized the way I pray and already I’m experiencing God in new ways.
There are no unanswered prayers.
God hears them all. And He answers them all. Any decent parent realizes that the answer is quite often, “No”, or…”not now”.
Hi Steve,
Yes, that is a widely proclaimed statement that there is no unanswered prayers because God hears them all. I agree with that. However, I think from our perspective, we may not know whether the answer is ‘no’ or ‘not yet’. Practically speaking, I think it’s safe to say that a lack of response can be construed as no response. After all, how many times did David ask the Lord to answer him? Why would he do that if there was an answer, even if no or not yet?
On unanswered prayer, one must keep in mind that our prayers are more likely to be answered when we are praying in line with the will of God. That is often hard to discern in the moment. But an examination of what we pray for in light of what we already know about God’s will can help us see where we are praying for the wrong thing.
And we can always ask God what we should pray and where we are off. It is a relationship with God, not a telephone call to him.
Good points, Lisa.
I like what Tom Baker of the KFUO program Law and Gospel says, “If you pray Thy will be done, then the answer will always be ‘YES’…for the Lord will always do His will. 😀
Paul asked fellow Christians to pray for his needs, adding their prayers to those that Paul prayed for himself. Paul did not believe this was merely a token demonstration of the church’s corporate identity but rather that it was vital to the outcome of what was being prayed for. 2 Cor.1:11 and Phil.1:19 show that Paul believed that multiple people praying for the same goal would be instrumental in accomplishing that goal and not merely a sentimental gesture of the church’s unity.
Regarding whether prayer makes an objective difference or is merely for the sake of moulding the praying person, Isaiah 62:6-7 points to the former.
“Take no rest, all you who pray to the Lord. Give the Lord no rest until he completes his work, until he makes Jerusalem the pride of the earth.” (NLT)
It seems to me, the context of Matthew 18 (Church discipline) lends itself to the idea that Jesus’ statement of “where two or more …” is more a showing the need for discipline in the church (that God himself is present in the Church and is concerned for His Name), not teaching that if two or more Christians are together there is more of God present.
If God hears our prayers just the same when we pray individually as when we pray in groups of 2 or 3 or more, then it’s a waste of the brethens’ time to gather them together to pray. If it has no advantage or ‘magic’ then why come together to pray. A corporate and a united prayer can still be done through a list of prayer items or request which the christian individually can use to pray at home and at any time. That is still praying as one united body in Christ. I conclude after reading your articles that gathering together therefore is pure tradition and legalism with no promise of ‘magic’. My point is that a united corporate prayer can be done without coming together in a prayer meeting.