In Jesus' Name预览

Symphony of Prayer

I tried three times to learn how to play the piano, and each time I failed. Never in a million years could I imagine myself sitting in the first chair of an orchestra. Yet, I find myself a “pray-er” extraordinaire in the orchestra of corporate prayer. There is nothing—trust me on this—nothing more exciting than being part of corporate prayer where, as a group, you land on exactly what God wants you to pray. Just as an orchestra tunes up in order to play in perfect pitch and synchronization, corporate prayer begins with worship as we join together in perfect harmony and unity. When the orchestra is ready to play, they stop and look to their conductor for direction. In the same way, those praying corporately pray in one accord and look to the Master Conductor for His instructions: “Father, what is it You want us to pray and agree with You about today?”

During one corporate prayer meeting, we worked together to connect with God and hear what He wanted to say to us. We began by sharing burdens, scriptures and songs—each spoken and prayed about. Like an orchestra, we were all tuning up and tuning in. Our song started softly, setting the stage. We slowly came to a crescendo as we gazed intently on the baton of the Great Conductor. There was a blending, a harmonizing and finally, we were at that forté moment where the cymbals crashed—our “paga” moment (Greek for “hitting the mark”).

Then someone shared a scripture that gave life—His life and direction. We all knew that was the scripture God had led us to, and we began praying in sync with Him ... a sweet musical composition of heaven. When we concluded our prayer time, we sensed an audience of angels rising to their feet in a standing ovation bearing witness to the beautiful symphony of prayer.

In Acts 2, the disciples participated in one of the most famous “symphonies” in the Bible. We call it the Day of Pentecost, but surely the disciples remembered it as a life-changing, world-changing prayer meeting. They gathered in harmony “with one accord in one place” (Acts 2:1) and prayed for God to move. Without warning, the Holy Spirit came down as a fire and the disciples experienced the very first baptism of the Holy Spirit. They followed the Master Conductor’s baton and, in faith, began to speak in other tongues. God’s Spirit was so heavy on them that outsiders thought they were drunk! From that one prayer meeting, salvation spread like wildfire: “And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47, NLT).

Corporate prayer, like the Day of Pentecost, is a powerful tool God uses to accomplish His purposes. In those times, He gives us insight, additional confirming scriptures and strategies to pray in the prophetic symphony. All we need to do is follow the baton of our heavenly Conductor and then we’ll become partners in creating the greatest symphony of all—the fullness of His kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.

Nothing tends more to cement the hearts of Christians than praying together. Never do they love one another so well as when they witness the outpouring of each other’s hearts in prayer.
~ Charles G. Finney

Prayer

Father, as we come together in prayer, help us to keep our eyes and hearts on You. Help us to be sensitive to the direction of the Holy Spirit and to press in until we hit the “paga” moment. May we be completely surrendered to You to be instruments useful to our Conductor to create a song that will last for eternity. Most of all, Father, thank You for allowing us to partner with You in the symphony of heaven. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Memory Verse

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5–6 (NLT)