Why We Pray Together
One of our core values at Lake Tapps Community Church is that “nothing of eternal significance is accomplished apart from prayer.” Prayer is an ordinary means to accomplish supernatural ends. Beyond moving the hand of God, here are a just few reasons* why we should pray together as a church:
When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He taught them how to pray together, “Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” (Matthew 6:11-13)
Family Prayer is how we publicly ask God to act. When we pray together, our needs become public. When God answers, His glory becomes public (2 Corinthians 1:11).
Family prayer teaches us to pray. Through the safe environment of being brothers and sisters we can “find our voice.” But not only do we learn how to pray, we also learn what to prayer for as we emphasize spiritual priorities over physical circumstance. As iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17), so we mature in prayer as we pray together.
Family prayer is a collective experience. As we pray together we are reminded where true unity comes from. In God’s larger purposes, we find our hearts drawn together as they are directed toward Him.
* Adapted from The Compelling Community: Where God’s Power Makes a Church Attractive. Mark Dever and Jamie Dunlop, Wheaton, Ill: Crossway 2015
How We Pray Together
WITH POPCORN PRAYERS – Spontaneous, short sentences rather than long paragraphs
WITH LOUD PRAYERS – so everyone can join in agreement
WITH SILENT PRAYERS – in agreement with others and listening for the Spirit’s leading
WITH SCRIPTURE PRAYERS – sometimes praying His words are the best words. Don’t hesitate to open your bibles as you pray.
Types of Prayer
Adoration
We praise God for who He is
God is a personal Spirit
God is righteous
God is all-powerful
God is just
God is ever-present
God is love
God knows everything
God is merciful
God is sovereign
God is gracious
God is holy
God never changes
Confession
WE Acknoweldge we come short of His holiness
and have need of His forgiveness and enabling
Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me, . . . (Psalm 139:23)
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just
and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another,
that you may be healed. (James 5:16)
. . . forgive us our debts . . . (Matthew 6:12)
Thanksgiving
We remember God’s grace and mercy,
acknowledging His blessings toward uS
Thank Him for salvation
Thank Him for specific acts of faithfulness
Thank Him for specific evidences of His goodness
Thank Him for His provision
Thank Him for His guidance
Thank Him for people
Thank Him for His power in service
Supplication
We bring our requests to God
for the needs of our church
For unity
For purity
For authentic gospel-based community
That we would make disciples
That the truth would be taught from our pulpit
That all men would know we are His disciples by how we love one another
Praying for our Church
LORD, WE PRAY FOR OUR ELDERS as they direct the affairs of our church. That they would be encouraged as they give themselves to prayer, to the ministry of the Word, and to caring for our church family. (Acts 6:4, Acts 20:28)
LORD, WE PRAY FOR OUR DEACONS as they oversee their areas of ministry. That they would be filled with the Spirit and wisdom as they carry out their responsibilities in service to our church family. (Acts 6:5, 1Tim. 3:13)
LORD, WE PRAY FOR OUR TEACHERS. That whether from the pulpit, in Children’s Church, in our Bible studies, or small groups, they would rightly divide the word and teach with a conviction steeped in their relationship with You. (2Tim. 2:15)
LORD, WE PRAY FOR OUR ADULTS, our brothers and sisters in Christ. That our manner of life would be worthy of the gospel as we stand firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel. (Php. 1:27)
LORD, WE PRAY FOR OUR KIDS AND THOSE WHO MINISTER TO THEM. That we would not hinder them but make it easy for them to come to Jesus. That the seed sown, the example shown, and the community experienced would increase their love for Your Son and His church. (Mt. 19:14)
LORD, WE PRAY FOR OUR STUDENTS AND THE YOUTH WORKERS WHO LEAD THEM. That these young men and women would grow in their faith, being examples of the believer in their speech, their life, their love, their faith, and their purity. (1Tim. 4:12)
LORD, WE PRAY FOR OUR SENIORS. That you would continue to enable them to fight the good fight and finish the race as they keep the faith. That we would benefit from their godly wisdom, understanding, and experience. (2Tim. 4:7, 1Pet. 5:5)
LORD, WE PRAY FOR OUR UNITY. That through authentic, transparent community we would bear with one another in love with humility, gentleness, and patience, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Eph. 4:1-3)
LORD, WE PRAY FOR OUR GOSPEL IMPACT. That whether through our corporate witness when we gather as a family, or our individual witness as we go into all the world, we might be used of you to bring people to a saving knowledge of the Savior. (1Cor. 14:24-25, Mt. 5:16, Mt. 28:19-20)