Corporate Prayer

My good friend, and Associate Rector of our Church, is moving to West  Los Angeles to plant a new Anglican Church. It is a mission of our church to send his family there, and I am proud to be a part of it. Tonight I met with about 25 other church members to pray for his family before sending them off. Powerful stuff. I love listening to other people pray. Our current Rector opened with a Bible Study of sorts, focusing on Luke 5.“Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.”

Fear was a big topic in the corporate setting tonight. We focused on being bold in the face of the enemy, and to answer the call courageously. The Spirit was palpable, and I was honored to play a small part in it. I hope that he and his wife were encouraged by the words spoken tonight. I know that on the few occasions when people have prayed aloud for me, I have been invigorated. I hope they were given a boost of energy and courage for the unknown that lay ahead for them.

Corporate prayer is important because it creates unity (John 17:22-23), and is a key aspect of believers’ encouraging one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11) and spurring one another on to love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24). I think the strongest part of a family lies in the way they pray together. When my church comes together in that way, I feel so alive within the Body of Christ. It's really exciting to be a part of God's family.

I was also convicted a bit. I listened to the prayers for courage, and I know that I needed to go boldly on to the plane next week. I know Christ has called me for this mission to Texas, and he will not forsake me. I will not fear any path that Christ has walked before me, even to the death. I'm excited to be on the Christian path, and I've never before felt so fulfilled. My life is developing a purpose I never knew possible. It feels good to begin to grow towards the image that God had planned for you all along.

With that thought, a good night.