Today, thoughts are shared on benefits from attending prayer meetings at the church where one is a member. Prayer in public and by elected officials are increasingly becoming thought of as a duty among believers in America and many of the other nations now suffering unprecedented bereavement and loss through floods, storms, terrorism, and other tragic events. However, it remains that a church congregation should be a source for, and a vessel filled with, spirit substance from GOD, rather than an organization serving as a community center, a site for distributing alms and donations, or simply another location for secular social gatherings. The church properly seeks and helps others to find the highest levels for their existence, and the specific endowments from GOD appropriate for salvation. With this in view, through activity in the church, developing believers are released from worldly entanglements that interrupt the sacred business of interacting with divinity through commitment, humility, obedience, and prayer. The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Grey Tower” (Level 7 with 171,743 points, a member since July 13, 2007) posted the following:
Should Christians participate in church Prayer Meetings? Is this biblical and beneficial?
Update: A prayer meeting is a regular church event, usually held one evening during the week. Everybody can join in with praying for current events / situations / church matters / others in need or who are sick, etc. Nobody is required to pray out loud and many never do, but pray silently. It's a "corporate prayer" session, if you like.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. (Romans 8: 26-30, King James Version, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Storms to Punish America? (09/08/2017); ...Gathered In My Name (05/29/2017); Receiving The Holy Spirit (12/08/2016); On Expecting Quick Results (11/07/2016); Good Christians and Church? (10/19/2016); Why Pray For Victims? (06/14/2016); Skipping Church A Sin? (11/17/2015)
“Grey Tower”, here are some thoughts you may find useful: Because prayer meetings are assemblies of anointed believers, they should be regarded as sacred events that further reveal and make visible the active presence who is GOD. In the meetings referred to here, focus is on completing the edification and existence of the church, rather than on the personal concerns and needs of individuals as within the home or family prayer circle. Carnal, material, political, and social issues are less relevant. Prayer meetings to benefit and complete the sacred business of the church call for outpourings of grace and the Holy Spirit. The objective and purpose for everyone who is present is to acknowledge, affirm and evidence the oneness without sameness provided through Jesus as head of the Church as well as to marshal and focus the spirit content and power of the full body of Christ for the completion of various sacred operations (e.g., confession and petition; forbearance and forgiveness; baptism and rebirth; ordination and sanctification). Sacred transactions are to be completed that were began on the basis of covenant, divine law, sovereign proclamations, eternal purpose, trustworthy promises, and expectations grounded in prophecy.
In praise and prayer services, a congregation is to commune and interact with GOD as though the group is a single person. As they display their own spirit content imparted from GOD (e.g., faith, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, wisdom, wrath against sin) through prophecy, testimony and witness, they present the image of GOD, and become “recognizable” to divinity as those having place with Jesus Christ in sacred fullness. The clergy and assembled believers all may serve as spokespersons for GOD and for mankind. In addition to being a process of exchange between Creator and the created, prayer meetings are a sacred tool for imparting divine order, restoring balance, crystallizing vision, and refreshing body, mind and spirit. Prayer allows the collective to prepare for action as well as to be invigorated and revived when going up against opposition, unmet needs, obstacles, and spiritual confusion. Consider again the following counsel that uses language from the Bible:
(1.) Matthew 18: 19-20, King James Version (KJV): 19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
(2.) Ephesians 4: 11-16, KJV: 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
(3.) Acts 4: 31-33, KJV: 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. 32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. 33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
There is far more to be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) Hebrews 10: 24-29, KJV: 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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