by Kevin Morgan
Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. - Hebrews 4:14-16
The following reflection on prayer and prayer meetings was first shared as a short devotion for the people of Covenant Reformed Baptist Church in May of 2025, when our church was in the middle of a difficult season in which numerous beloved members were battling serious illness. It was a hard time for our church, but it was also a season in which we found much joy in the practice of coming together to pray for one another before the throne of grace.
My original motivation for writing and sharing these reflections was simply a desire to put words to something that has always been dear to my heart, and something that I think should be a central part of the ministry of the local church: the prayer meeting.
Here are three short thoughts on why Christians and churches should prioritize prayer meetings:
1. Prayer is a Spirit-led and life-giving act of the Covenant Community
From the earliest days of the Church, believers gathered to pray. Acts 2:42 tells us what defined the worship of the New Testament church in this way: “…they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” True, Biblical worship is much simpler than many would have us believe!
Praying together knits us closer to one another as brothers and sisters. The Holy Spirit brings believers together as one body and binds them together in peace in the local church (Eph. 4:3), and prayer meetings are one of the ways that unity is both expressed and strengthened. There is something precious and holy in the act of gathering together, pouring out our hearts’ deepest needs to one another, praying for each other and being prayed for, and then, God willing, rejoicing together as we see those prayers answered.
In the Nicene Creed, the statements that we believe in "the holy catholic church" and "the communion of saints" both come under the heading of "The Holy Spirit." This is because the Church and every aspect of her life is birthed and sustained by the power of the Holy Spirit. Even our prayers to almighty God are guided and empowered by the Spirit. As we draw near to God in prayer together, we draw nearer to one another.
2. Prayer is a means of grace
Pastor and theologian Richard Barcellos once wrote that the ordinary means of grace are “the delivery systems God has instituted to bring grace – that is, spiritual power, spiritual change, spiritual help, spiritual fortitude, spiritual blessings – to needy souls on earth." Prayer is one of those means. James says, "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you." (James 4:8) This is not only true on an individual level but a corporate level. We draw near to God as a church with the prayerful and faithful expectation that he will draw near to us.
We often forget that the New Testament speaks to Christians corporately, as a church, far more often than individually. Take Hebrews 4:16 as an example: Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
3. Jesus commands us to pray
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. (Matt. 7:7-8)
Our Father delights to give us what we need, to grant our requests. Looking around at the world should show us how abundantly the Lord provides for his creation and assure us of how much more our Father will give good things to us when we ask. The church gathers together to do this so that our souls will be encouraged and strengthened as we lift up our individual voices as one to our Father.
Surely this is the Lord’s desire for his people: to be a house of prayer (Isaiah 56:7)!
For another consideration of this topic, see Pastor Doug's post: "We Need More Corporate Prayer: A Critical Exegesis of 1 Timothy 2:1-7."
