We want to not only
encourage you to engage in more and better corporate prayer, we also want to
help equip you. This is the primary
reason for writing United
and Ignited: Encountering God through Dynamic Corporate Prayer.
It is also the reason we will be sharing some portions of it here in the
IMPACT.
(Question) 1.2 How is Dynamic Corporate Prayer different
from “individual prayer in a group setting?”
Dynamic corporate prayer
should not be thought of as a replacement for any other style of praying. Its components are useful in contemplative
prayer, spiritual warfare, intercession, and praise. In fact, the style of prayer I am advocating
for in this book is not the only very powerful means of corporate prayer. Paul exhorts us to pray using “all kinds of
prayers” (Eph 6:18). The kind of prayer
that has flowed out of the Prayer Summit movement is not completely unique, but
it is not as familiar as many other kinds of prayer.
If we
grew up around prayer, then most of us grew up with what could be known as the
“prayer microphone” type of corporate prayer.
There may be 15 people in the room and Bill takes his opportunity to
step up to the “prayer microphone” and pray what is on his heart. It is a good prayer. Then Mary takes her turn and prays through
the requests that are closest to her.
After her, Jane prays her burden.
It is probable that most of the 15 people pray and yet none of the
prayers are connected to each other in any way.
This is what I call “individual prayer in a group setting.”
When I
say dynamic corporate prayer I am referring to prayers that…
· are
connected to what has just been prayed.
· hear
and catch a prayer theme; develop a flow.
· are
influenced by the prayers of others.
· influence
the prayers of others.
· flow
more from listening than from
lists.
· focus
on agreement or harmonious prayers.
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