“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
Ephesians 6:10-12 KJV
In recent decades, it has become popular to emphasize prayer as a continual conversation with God. We have been encouraged to pray on the morning drive, to ask God questions, and invite Him into our day. While all these things are good, as we have embraced this form of being in a constant state of prayer, having a place and time of prayer has been neglected. In some circles, the idea of a set time and place of prayer is ridiculed and called religious. Putting aside the fact that “religious” is not a bad word in Scripture, we have lost a powerful element of prayer, especially as it is found in corporate prayer meetings.
Paul’s writing on the armor of God ends with this statement: “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;”
Although Jesus was in communion with the Father, He still withdrew Himself to pray:
Luke 5:15-16 “But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities. 16 And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.”
Luke 6:12-13 “And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. 13 And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;”
Luke 9:28-31 “And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. 29 And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering. 30 And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: 31 who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease, which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.”
Now, let’s look at corporate prayer in the life of the early church:
Acts 4:31 “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.”
Acts 12:5, 12-14 “Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. 12 And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying. 13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. 14 And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.”
The funny thing about this passage is how it goes on to say that no one thought it was Peter. We struggle with the same doubts the early church did, but the more time we spend in the Word and in prayer, the stronger our faith will become, and doubts will begin to disappear.
Acts 16:25-26 “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. 26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.”
While a “spirit of prayer” is important, we should not neglect designated prayer and corporate prayer. When we join in corporate prayer, we have the ability to learn from and lean on others in prayer.
In 1857-58, there were noon prayer meetings held in New York City. They began with just two attendees and began to grow. These meetings had a great impact upon the city and the nation. But to look at New York City now, you can’t see any benefit of those meetings. We must be a people of continual corporate prayer.
Corporate prayer should not be a bygone thing in this country. Let us return to the pattern of the “old-timers,” let’s learn from them how to tarry in prayer. I would encourage us to go back to some of the older writings on prayer, like E. M. Bounds and Andrew Murray’s ‘With Christ in the School of Prayer.’
If we truly want to see revival and awakening in this nation, we must return to the foundations that brought them throughout our history; prayer, gospel preaching, repentance, and holy living.
As America enters its two hundred and fiftieth year, midterms will not save us nor sustain us; we must find God in America again. Read the writings of those in the awakenings: George Whitefield, Jonathan Edwards, and research early American preachers.
May we return to the praying and preaching that built our great nation.
Recommended Reading
Charity and Its Fruits: Jonathan Edwards
Casey D. Bell 
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