How to Transition to Dynamic, Dedicated-to-a-Task, Documentable Prayer Meetings.

Here’s the Problem

Too many prayer meetings are boring, ill-attended and ineffective. Too many times nothing really happens at a prayer meeting. Or so it seems.

But it doesn’t have to be that way..

How would you describe your church’s prayer meetings? Would you like to enjoy and transform your prayer meetings?

I Propose a Biblical Model that is Dynamic, Dedicated-to-a-Task, Documentable Prayer

Third world churches use this Biblical model with effectiveness. Certainly I did not originate it. I have seen it in the widely expanding church in Mexico. South Korea popularized this type of prayer through the ministry of Dr Paul Yongi Cho.

Would it be wise for more churches, even ours and yours, to experiment with this Biblical form of corporate prayer?

Before continuing, let’s recognize two important facts. 1) All prayer is a plus, whether silent or verbal. 2) Corporate prayer is different than individual prayer. When we pray alone, we can pray the way we want to, the way we are most comfortable, or the way we “have always done it.” Corporate prayer requires us to “lay down our lives” (our favorite method of prayer) in order to unify with others who pray differently.

Here is a report of a dynamic, dedicated, documentable prayer time from the book of Acts.

²³ When they had been released, they went to their own companions and reported everything that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. ²⁴ And when they heard this, they raised their voices to God with one mind and said, “^[p]Lord, it is You who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything that is in them, ²⁵ who by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David Your servant, said,

‘Why were the nations insolent,
And the peoples plotting in vain?
²⁶ The kings of the earth took their stand,
And the rulers were gathered together
Against the Lord and against His Christ.’

²⁷ For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, ²⁸ to do whatever Your hand and purpose predestined to occur. ²⁹ And now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant it to Your bond-servants to speak Your word with all confidence, ³⁰ while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.” ³¹ And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.

—Acts 4:23-31

Several items are notable.

1 They all prayed aloud together. They raised their voices with one mind.

2 They had “one mind,” i.e., an agreed manner of prayer. Since they did not have to discuss how to pray at that moment, it’s obvious this was an accepted, common, usual manner of prayer for the disciples. Further, they had one purpose–to deal with the current situation: civil authorities (who were slso religious authorities) were suppressing their freedom.

3 They declared God’s word into the situation.

4 Luke documented three stirring results: The place was physically shaken, they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, they began to speak God’s word with boldness.

Revelation 19 Offers Additional Insight into Dynamic, Dedicated-to-a-Task, Documentable Prayer

After these things I heard something like a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying,

“Hallelujah! Salvation, glory, and power belong to our God, ² because His judgments are true and righteous; for He has judged the great prostitute who was corrupting the earth with her sexual immorality, and He has avenged the blood of His bond-servants on her.” ³ And a second time they said, “Hallelujah! Her smoke rises forever and ever.” ⁴ And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sits on the throne, saying, “Amen. Hallelujah!” ⁵ And a voice came from the throne, saying,

“Give praise to our God, all you His bond-servants, you who fear Him, the small and the great.” ⁶ Then I heard something like the voice of a great multitude and like the sound of many waters, and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying,

“Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.”

⁷ Let’s rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, because the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has prepared herself.” ⁸ It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.

⁹ Then he *said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb.’” And he *said to me, “These are the true words of God.” Then I fell at his feet to worship him. Don’t do that. . . worship God.

Revelation 19:1-9

Notice again: The participants prayed out loud, together. No boring prayer meeting here! They were LOUD. It sounded like “many waters” and “mighty peals of thunder.” (One visitor to a prayer time at a church in South Korea said, “When they started to pray, it sounded like a waterfall.”)

This is an example of New testament, Biblical prayer! Do our prayer times sound like this?

Do you think children would be attracted to a prayer meeting like this? Teenagers?

Even though it was loud–like rumbling thunder–discernable content was heard above the noise: “Hallelujah,” “Salvation, glory, power belong to God,” as well as other united voices and actions. Yes, actions. Intercession may involve action. Some fell down and worshipped God who sits on the throne.

Judgment was a theme of this heavenly prayer time. The people were celebrating God’s judgments!

The meeting had a leader who spoke from the throne (verse 5). Although loud, the assembly was not a disorderly meeting. When a mistake was made, correction came with it.

Several results were documented from this prayer time. I choose to comment on only one. The presence of God was so great that John fell down and began to worship an angel! Strange, yes, but in a time of the strong presence of God, we become “undone,” and do things we don’t ordinarily do. A powerful prayer meeting moves us into a new realm.

Fortunately, John was corrected in his behavior. “Don’t do that. . . worship God.”

I admit. Not all prayer times will see dramatic, documentable or immediate results. After all, churches prayed for nearly 50 years before Roe vs Wade was overturned by the US Supreme Court.

Still, we humans need to see some results for our prayers. We need the encouragement that documentation brings.

A Modern Day Example of a Dynamic, Dedicated-to-a-Task, Documentable Prayer Meeting

I have learned a lot about prayer and intercession from a man in our congregation named Ken Eichelberger. He often reminds us of two goals as we begin a prayer meeting. 1) The direction of the Holy Spirit to discover the task for the day and 2) the energy to pray it into being.

On one particular day, we were led to ask for repentance or removal of national leaders in America. Shortly, a well-known and well-respected Christian teacher died unexpectedly. Then the news cam out this leader had been engaging in sexual immorality.

Was it because of our prayers? We don’t know everything. But we do know this: We prayed; a man was removed.

Jesus “retired” from effective ministry on earth to initiate an effective intercession ministry from heaven. Perhaps God is calling many to lead effctive prayer ministries while we are stil on earth.

Are your prayer meetings dynamic, dedicated to a specific task and finding documentable results?

Dynamic Prayer is “Caught” More than “Taught”

If you are stirred by the Holy Spirit to upgrade your corporate prayer times, invite Ken and me to join you in your prayer meeting by replying to this email with your intention.