This week Daniel reminded us of the importance of corporate prayer. Throughout this series we have been pushed to see how the liturgy we engage in on Sunday mornings is meant to shape and deepen our love for God, inviting us to incorporate them into our daily walks. So, he posed to us this question: “How does the practice of congregational prayer shape our hearts for God’s mission?”

2 Timothy 2:1 says, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people”. God’s mission is for the heart of the nations-“…behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the lamb…crying, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb’!”(Rev 7:9-10). There will be a day when this picture described in these verses will be a beautiful reality. The practice of corporate prayer brings us into participation with God’s mission.

Prayer shapes our hearts after God’s heart and God desires all people to be saved. When we practice corporate prayer, the church is praying in union with the heart of God. But, it is important to remember that the Lord calls us to pray because of what it does to us, not to just get things from God. Prayer is not a special formula, but instead Paul reminds us to pray with supplication (urgently request), prayers of intercessions (“all we can do prayer”), and thanksgiving (remembering how He loves us, giving thanks for that always).

We encounter so much desperation around us, in our own homes, as we drive down the streets of Albuquerque, and every night when we turn on the news. How are we to answer the needs that we see? Prayer; prayer to a God who loves and cares for people. But, truthfully, turning to prayer is usually not my first response. When I am faced with a need, anxieties, stress, I most often turn to the all knowing, Google. I will research, read articles, verbally process, seek advice from anyone and everyone, but usually not the Lord. When we gather each Sunday, praying corporately, we remember that God hears us, God is with us, and prayer changes us. Prayer realigns our hearts with God’s. It reminds us that there is a bigger picture- the salvation of the nations, sharing the hope we have with our families, neighbors, and our city. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

~Bronwyn Siebert